SANADA vs ザック・セイバーJr. - 『G1 CLIMAX 34』Aブロック公式戦：NJPW G1 CLIMAX 34（2024年8月12日）
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00:00The fifth match, G1 Climax, A Block, 30 minutes, one match.
00:30We'll face off against Great Okan later on in the evening.
00:34But tonight, as we roll forward in Block A competition, we take you to the longest reigning
00:41ever IWGP World Heavyweight Champion in history.
00:44A man whose edge has just been turned up a notch every single continuous night of this
00:50tournament.
00:51It has brought him now to eight points on the board.
00:56Sonata, if he wants an opportunity to lock in his spot in the playoffs, it has to come
01:01here.
01:02And it has to come with some help.
01:04Sonata's best odds at this point should the odds work out in his favor.
01:08A victory tonight puts Sonata at ten points and will need to tie with other members of
01:14Block A.
01:16And we have our best statisticians on standby.
01:19Chris Samps of SporterProWrestling.com will be giving us updates all throughout the evening
01:23on the way that our Block math is lined up.
01:38There he is, Japan's most handsome man.
01:45Coming into this match, Walker, I think Sonata is the more balanced wrestler.
01:49He's got a more balanced repertoire of moves.
01:51However, in my humble opinion, Zack Sabre Jr. is the greatest technical wrestler alive
01:58today.
02:09Many more beyond yourself seem to hold that same opinion, Henare.
02:14Zack Sabre Jr. dubbed the best technical wrestler in the world when he defeated none other than
02:19the American Dragon, Bryan Danielson, back in Osaka in February of this year.
02:25But even prior to that victory, you still could have labeled Zack Sabre Jr. the best
02:30technical wrestler in the world.
02:32But it has been such a heavy conversation point for Zack Sabre Jr.
02:37It is the reason that he leaves Block A.
02:39And not only that, Zack Sabre Jr., yes, he's still playing for tournament action.
02:44Yes, points are still on the line.
02:46But Zack is already locked in his place as number one in Block A.
02:51Will certainly make his way into the semifinals.
03:04You see that little nuance there on the side of the apron, wiping his feet.
03:08Very, very British culture there by Zack Sabre Jr.
03:12It's the respect Zack Sabre Jr. has for the squared circle.
03:15A respect that I know you have as well.
03:17You've been very vocal about that throughout your career.
03:19The same respect that Sonata also has for this ring.
03:23Yes, sir.
03:24What a difference it's been not having a torn bicep this year.
03:27Yes.
03:28How different has it been?
03:29A lot more calm, a lot more cool, a lot more Sonata.
03:33Yes.
03:34A lot more effective inside the ring as well.
03:37Yes, sir.
03:38Eight points on the board for Sonata.
03:40Zack Sabre Jr. at 12.
03:42And the bell sounds.
03:43We're officially underway.
03:44A victory puts you two points higher on the board.
03:47Could match Sonata at 10.
03:49Could advance Zack even further at 14.
03:57I can't really pick out who's the fan favorite here.
04:03Talk a little bit of history here.
04:05First ever meeting.
04:06March 18, 2018, New Japan Cup.
04:09Zack Sabre Jr. defeating Sonata in the semifinals.
04:12It was Zack who would go on in this very building to win
04:15that year's New Japan Cup.
04:17It's one of the many reasons that Nagaoka is such a special town
04:20for Zack Sabre Jr.
04:24And Sonata, born and raised in this region,
04:27has won a lot in this arena, has lost a lot in this arena.
04:31But Zack Sabre Jr., on the other hand,
04:33has never lost a singles match in Aore Nagaoka before.
04:39And that 2018 meeting took them all the way to 2021
04:43Summer Struggle in Osaka.
04:45The final match these two had in singles action.
04:47Sonata and Zack Sabre Jr., a 24-minute draw.
04:50Double pin.
04:52And there's very much a chance we could see those same tactics
04:56attempted here for Zack Sabre Jr. and Sonata,
04:59keeping it right in the center of the ring.
05:01Very technical start to this one.
05:03Very technical, very surprising.
05:05But Zack does seem to have the upper hand.
05:08See how cool he is, even though he's got that straitjacket locked in.
05:11Look how calm Zack's face is.
05:13You know what makes the difference between a technical guy
05:15and other guys.
05:16Look at him, he's still calm.
05:17He knows he's in trouble, but he knows how to escape.
05:20He's confident in his abilities.
05:22And split up, single leg taken down.
05:25Oh, very British ankle lock there.
05:27And there we go, into the cover.
05:29Very quick, only one.
05:31Zack just one step ahead.
05:33One second ahead.
05:37There's something he's very good at doing,
05:39is taking time to breathe on the outside.
05:43Although he is giving Sonata, who looks visibly blown up,
05:46a chance to breathe.
05:50It might be Zack Sabre Jr.'s undoing.
05:52If there's any two people that know each other very well,
05:54it is going to be these two.
05:55Three, three and one record.
05:57Sonata three wins, Zack three wins.
05:59And then that one draw happening in their final singles appearance.
06:02Keep in mind, that singles match was all the way back in 2021.
06:05A lot has changed for Sonata and for Sabre Jr.
06:07over the past three years.
06:09Cover here, brought back down.
06:11Zack Sabre Jr. has those shoulders in.
06:13And Sonata floats in over.
06:15Oh, what a shot.
06:17Oh, what a shot.
06:19Zack Sabre Jr. has those shoulders in.
06:20And Sonata floats in over.
06:22Shoulders down again.
06:24Sonata's shoulders.
06:25Zack's shoulder.
06:26Back and forth and back and forth here.
06:29And someone wants a cover.
06:31Someone wants a win.
06:33And Sonata, no.
06:34Almost got it.
06:36Imagine if that would have been a three.
06:41Sonata been watching those tapes very well.
06:45Talk about a lot changing between these two men.
06:47Sonata has held a world title.
06:49Zack Sabre Jr. has not in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
06:52But Zack, a lot has changed for him physically.
06:54Put on a lot of size over the past three years.
06:56I mean, he's deceptively big to begin with.
06:58He pretends to be a skinny vegan guy.
07:00But standing next to him, I'm like, wow, you're deceptively large.
07:06I mean, when you're in the ring next to Sonata, he looks a lot smaller.
07:08But Sonata's a big man, don't get me wrong.
07:10Absolutely.
07:17Beautiful V taper there.
07:20Going back to the knuckles of Zack Sabre Jr.
07:22I want to be doing this.
07:26Both move their pawns four to square.
07:30Sonata and Zack have always had an affinity for one another's styles of wrestling.
07:34It was G128 where both men competed for 11 minutes, 28 seconds.
07:39And in the entirety of that match, neither man utilized the ropes once.
07:44Wow.
07:45It's perfect when you're in the ring with this man.
07:47I read the Sonata's famous comments about pro wrestling being about more than getting dropped on your head.
07:52And while I know that you find yourself wrestling a style that goes quite the opposite of that,
07:57we are definitely seeing a lot of that here between Sonata and Sabre Jr.
08:01Keeping it dead center for the most part.
08:03True, true.
08:04But I think that might be part of the reason why this whole tournament block doesn't really work in my favor.
08:07But here we go.
08:09Updating it to strikes right here.
08:11Now, I feel like Zack has the striking edge in this.
08:14He likes working in strikes into his game like that kick, that PK he does.
08:18The kick to the left bicep.
08:20Now, was it the left bicep that Sonata tore?
08:23I guess it's going to play a part later on.
08:25But we'll see who's the tougher.
08:36Now, Zack Sabre, he's a country boy from the rural areas outside London, man.
08:40He's not a pushover.
08:41But neither is Sonata.
08:44Oh.
08:50Oh.
08:53You hear the snap on these shots a lot more from Zack than Sonata.
09:05Oh, Zack's starting to feel the pain in his own right arm delivering these shots.
09:10Those chiseled pecs of Sonata feeling the damage but doing the same damage to Zack as well.
09:15Yeah, especially after that match with Gabe the other day, man.
09:17Oh, yes.
09:18How much damage would he have sustained in that match?
09:22And they are still going.
09:25Oh.
09:38Oh, and Zack fades out.
09:41You know, one understated thing about Zack Sabre Jr. is he is very durable.
09:45He could take a hiding and come back, man.
09:48Oh.
09:54It's an opportunity tonight for Zack Sabre Jr. to break his all-time G1 point record.
09:59Currently set his record at 12, could advance to 14.
10:03And it's Sonata who wants his own twist.
10:10Surprisingly 50-50 match today so far.
10:13Yeah, very hard to make a technicality with Zack Sabre Jr.
10:16It's a sharp kick, and I think Sonata just turned that tide.
10:19Doing such a great job at keeping up with Zack at every single pace.
10:24Spoke five seconds too early.
10:27And here we go. Sonata knows what's in mind.
10:29Zack's felt it before. Plancha right over the top.
10:34I hear the thud on the outside there.
10:36Work on his hands and legs.
10:40It is these people in Nagaoka that Sonata connects so heavily with.
10:46This being the site of his new Japan Cup 2023 victory.
10:52Hometown boy in a sense as well as Sonata.
11:10Sonata has Zack on the shoulder.
11:13Oh, twisted out.
11:15And drop kick right to the back of that neck.
11:22You know there's some people that could be in a position like Zack Sabre Jr.
11:26Having locked his spot into the playoffs and want to take their foot off the gas.
11:30We're not seeing Zack take his foot off the gas whatsoever right now.
11:32Nah man, he doesn't give anyone an inch.
11:34Just like his wrestling, he's not letting that technical game fall down on the outside there.
11:40Smart, smart man.
11:44And a very surprisingly humble man also.
11:50We'll see how humble Zack gets if he can walk into a G1 Climax playoff situation.
11:57One of the Tiger's suplexes instead.
11:59Sonata right back out with the pump kick here for Zack.
12:01There it is. There it is.
12:03And bam! Drop kick right to the knees.
12:09Zack wants to go high on Sonata. Sonata's going to take it low on Zack.
12:13Look at that left bicep though.
12:16It's noticeably pumped.
12:18And shorter than the other one.
12:20And here we go.
12:29Every shot to the neck is a dangerous one for Sonata.
12:33Susceptible to stingers, we've talked about that before as Sonata.
12:39It's like a temporary paralysis when you go through situations of that nature.
12:43But Sonata not feeling it now.
12:45Feeling Nagaoka, Shining Wizard underneath.
12:48Oh, caught that leg of Zack.
12:55I think the leg switching there is a lot worse than the full rotation.
13:00Pulling on the PCL, pulling on the ACL.
13:04Although we've talked about the joint strength of Zack Sabre Jr. before.
13:10Got that rounding body.
13:12Yep, wants it up top.
13:14Sonata rounding body press.
13:16Oh, didn't get all of it.
13:18Sonata walks in.
13:20He was about three centimeters away from kneeing him in the head.
13:24Zack Sabre Jr. with so much wing awareness.
13:26He saw it coming.
13:28Beautiful. Beautiful.
13:31Beautiful. Beautiful.
13:33Zack Sabre Jr. could have this match won right here.
13:39He just uses the left hand, trying to cause any further damage he can.
13:42Pulls back on the right arm and it is stretch pillar to post.
13:48Oh my gosh, we need a verbal submission from Sonata right here.
13:53Working on both shoulders, both elbows, both sets of fingers.
13:58The wrist.
14:05Got to remember that bicep as well.
14:07He doesn't have the power to get out of that.
14:09You're right.
14:10Now the leg.
14:11Holds in on the leg now.
14:12The quad turns him over.
14:14That is incredible, incredible technicality from Zack Sabre Jr.
14:22Sonata, you look at the look in his eyes.
14:25There's pain on the face of Sonata and Zack keeps it tied up here.
14:30All points of leverage.
14:31Look at that.
14:32At the end of every joint, he's right there.
14:34This is a long time to be in a hold like this for Sonata.
14:37I mean, even if he finds his way out of this,
14:39it's going to be a hard fought uphill battle going forward.
14:44Swinging his leg around, caught his leg.
14:46No, wait a minute.
14:48Shoulders down for a brief moment and Zack stays right on top of Sonata once again.
14:53He's got it deep.
14:54Oh, wow.
14:57Now transitioning to put pressure on the neck there.
15:00There you go.
15:01Pirate's Crucifix.
15:02Reverse Pirate's Crucifix.
15:04With that.
15:06Jujutsu Kaisen with the arm.
15:07That is artistry from Zack Sabre Jr.
15:11Insane.
15:12This is like some Salvador Dali stuff right here.
15:15Surrealism.
15:18How long can Sonata last in these holds?
15:22He's got the neck as well.
15:23Oh, wow.
15:24Wow.
15:25Wow.
15:26Wow.
15:27By the toe, Sonata escapes.
15:29However, just like you said, how damaged is he?
15:33Wow.
15:34That had to have been nearly what?
15:35Two minutes straight of just all of your body parts being stretched out.
15:38Let me tell you, two minutes to a normal person.
15:40If that was Zack Sabre Jr., that feels like two hours.
15:44Insanity.
15:47Look at the calm demeanor in Zack's face right now.
15:51It's okay.
15:52It's okay.
15:53It's okay.
15:54I'm all right.
15:56Let's see how all right Sonata is going forward.
15:58This is...
16:01See him grasping at that head, grasping at that shoulder.
16:05Now it's switching from a battle of the body to a battle of will now, man.
16:10Back of the head slap.
16:12And it is a 30 minute time limit that we do have here tonight.
16:15The longest these two have ever gone.
16:1726.35 in their first ever meeting.
16:19First ever meeting back in Cup 2018.
16:23Summer's a lot harder this tour, man.
16:25Yes.
16:26You can see why everybody's feeling shorter.
16:32Sonata shows life.
16:33Here we go back to those kicks.
16:35I was telling you about.
16:39Sonata, very little movement in his arms.
16:42Same as we saw Yuya Uemura in the main event of Block B.
16:45Just those arms dangling down.
16:46Very little strength at this time.
16:48Has to find that strength back to walk away with the win.
16:52Even putting on holds does your endurance down, man.
16:56Right.
16:57Look at Zack.
17:19Back of the head.
17:22He put his hand up on the wrong side.
17:24Sonata.
17:25Oh, wait a minute.
17:27Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
17:28What's that sleeper hold?
17:29Got it.
17:30Right, right back down.
17:32Hold on a minute.
17:33He's got it.
17:35And that was the exact ending to their match in 2021.
17:39Shining Wizard.
17:41Zack here, Zack here.
17:42Come on, come on, come on.
17:45Push down, push in.
17:46Push down, push in.
17:47No, no, no, no, no.
17:51And shoulders down.
17:52Euro punch.
17:57I have no idea which way this is going to go, Walker.
18:00It is a complete 50-50, but it's now turned 51-49.
18:04Sonata gets the last shot in.
18:06He needed that, man.
18:07Good, smart, smart offense going low after the high attacks.
18:12This is insane.
18:14And listen to the crowd here in Nicaragua.
18:18Losing their god damn minds.
18:22Sonata has been firing off on all cylinders the last half of this tournament.
18:28And this last half brings him in.
18:30Shining Wizard.
18:37So sequential.
18:39Oh, wait a minute.
18:40What's that kill shot?
18:41The deadfall.
18:43And instead, Sonata got the boot up.
18:45Just in the nick of time.
18:47Middle rope brought in.
18:48One skull end instead.
18:50Zack twisting out.
18:52Who keeps control?
18:53Over the top.
18:54Wow.
18:56And so.
18:59Oh, Sonata.
19:01It's deeper.
19:02It's cinched in deeper.
19:03This could be it right here.
19:04Zack starting to fade to his knees.
19:09And it's the kill shot.
19:10Deadfall.
19:11Deadfall.
19:12No, no, no.
19:18Oh.
19:19It's all coming.
19:20It is.
19:21Zack driver.
19:22Zack driver.
19:23He got him.
19:24One, two, three.
19:27Zack Sabre Jr. has done it.
19:30What's that?
19:31Is that 12 or 14 points?
19:3214 points on the board.
19:34I don't think I've ever seen anyone get 14 points before.
19:37Before the last.
19:38Oh, wait.
19:39This was the last one.
19:40Whoa.
19:41Zack Sabre Jr. beats his own career best in G1 Climax points.
19:4714 points on the board for the front man.
19:53Kuroresu personified right there.
20:10Now, Zack Sabre Jr.
20:17It was already confirmed, but it's an official announcement tonight.
20:22One of the people right here.
20:23The top of Block A.
20:26Since Zack Sabre Jr., a confirmed buy into the semifinals.
20:36Now it's coming up for the Florida.
20:38Yeah, this is Zack Sabre Jr.'s house to destroy if he wants to.
20:42Building Ade Nakaoka from New Japan Cup to now a G1 Climax victory,
20:48which could be on the horizon.
20:51To the end there, it looked like a dead bull was on the menu,
20:54but he turned it around.
20:56Insanity.
20:58A lot of people believe that a G1 Climax trophy will make its way to the UK
21:09for the very first time.
21:12I mean, they lost the Rugby World Cup.
21:14They lost the Soccer World Cup.
21:15But I think, I think they have a shot at pro-wrestling, brother.
21:21Like I was saying at the start,
21:22Sonata is a more balanced wrestler,
21:24but he tried to take it to Zack in his own arena of technical.
21:28I think if he stuck to the high flying, he would have had an edge.
21:33Not taking anything away from Zack Sabre.
21:35That was an amazing win.
21:41Very honorable win for the leader of the G1.
21:44I mean, I'm good.
21:45I'm good in the G1, but that match,
21:47watching Zack Sabre Jr. won brought me to life, man.
21:50Oh, I loved it here.
21:54Coming up next, folks, Shingo Takagi and Jake Lee.
21:57One on one.
21:58Oh, I loved it here.
22:03Coming up next, folks, Shingo Takagi and Jake Lee.
22:05One on one.