The former IWGP Tag Team Champion took the fight to Hiroshi Tanahashi; however, the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion ultimately proved to be the superior wrestler on this day.
The match-up was a back-and-forth contest that saw both men target each others legs throughout the bout. SANADA had the advantage during the mid-point until Tanahashi escaped a TKO attempt and turned it into a Twist N’ Shout. The 2018 G1 Climax winner followed up the big move with a sling blade, but only got a nearfall for his troubles.
SANADA was able to escape a Skull End from Tanahashi and applied his signature maneuver onto the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Tanahashi was able to break away from the submission and the two wrestlers exchanged hard strikes in the middle of the ring.
Tanahashi got the better of the exchange and nailed SANADA with a dragon suplex, but only got a nearfall. He followed up the move with a series of High Fly Flows for a three count around 19 minutes.
Hiroshi Tanahashi’s G1 Climax score is now 3-2 (6 points), whereas SANADA’s record is now 1-4 (2 points).