Surprisingly, the match-up began with KENTA attacking the former IWGP Tag Team Champion; however, SANADA wouldn’t stay down for long, as the Los Ingobernables de Japon member fought back and the two athletes would go back-and-forth outside the ring.
Once the competitors returned to the ring, it became a back-and-forth strike fest until SANADA was the last man standing. The former IWGP Tag Team Champion would have the brief advantage over the former WWE star; however, a powerslam changed the course of the match-up.
The bout progressed with a showcase of speed, high flying, and hard strikes from both competitors. In the end, SANADA countered the GTS (Go To Sleep) into the Skull End. The former IWGP Tag Team Champion released the hold and got the three count after hitting a moonsault.
SANADA’s G1 Climax Tournament score is 2-4 (4 points), whereas KENTA’s score is now 4-2 (8 points).