New Japan Pro Wrestling

I'm not making a separate G1 Climax thread, but I got caught up on Night 1 and will do Night 2 tomorrow before things pick back up.

Night 1
YOSHI-HASHI over ELP
Simple yet effective opener to the tournament, as it was exactly what you’d expect. It wasn’t a barn burner by any stretch, just a solid opening contest that was back and forth throughout. YH hit an uncharacteristic tope early and got a blockbuster, but ELP got the ropes. It was a lot strikes being traded until Thunder Kiss 86 connected for ELP for two. They traded a series of roll ups and thrust kicks before YH fired up with a lariat and crucifix bomb for the win. You can tell that’s the move YH is going to use in this G1.

Chase Owens over Gabe Kidd
Kidd attacked his Bullet Club teammate on the ramp with a chair during the entrance and proceeded to beat the living shit out of Owens all over the arena. After all this happened, Owens just took control when the match began and devalued the entire pre-match attack. Kidd did hit a brainbuster to regain control, but took too long to follow up and Owens hit a C-Trigger and Package Piledriver for the win.

Tanga Loa over KENTA
This match was just ok, but more of a way to reintroduce Tanga Loa as a credible threat in the stacked B Block. I don’t see him winning a ton of matches in this, but it was a good opening win against someone who has had strong showings in the past like KENTA. Loa was able to avoid the nonsense early and string together a solid end sequence and pin KENTA with his finish.

Shota Umino vs. Ren Narita ended in a 20 Minute Draw
I absolutely loved this match and the story they told. They hammered home how each wanted to win via the Young Lion style and finisher like the belly to belly or Cobra Twist, but really had an evenly matched battle. I can’t tell you how much Umino has improved over the last few years and he’s going to be an absolute star in a few more. Narita is still in that just trying to break out of the Young Lion phase, but you can really tell he has something too. The fact these two went to a draw wasn’t surprising, as commentary talked earlier in the night about how we’d get more of these since time limits are 20 minutes for this tournament. I was very pleased with the action and effort both of these fellas put into this, they crushed it.

Kazuchika Okada over Great O-Khan
O-Khan matches are either ludicrous or kinda fun and it fell to the latter in this case, since his opponent is Okada, who makes everyone look like a stud win or lose. Okada selling the wild ass Mongolian Chops from O-Khan was funny, but you really did feel like O-Khan could pull off an upset, which shows you how good Okada truly is. Going back to the 20 minute limit deal, this also gives underdogs chances of getting 1 point instead of 0 and sort of playing spoiler in a sense against favorites if they just survive. Rainmaker sealed the fate right at the 15 minute call for Okada.

Kaito Kiyomiya over Yota Tsuji
The story they’re telling with Kiyomiya is he was a big fish in NOAH, but now he’s a small fish in the big pond that is New Japan and can his success translate here because it hasn’t prior to the G1. Can Kiyomiya have the heart and drive to hang with the big boys and scrub the memory of Okada punking him out big time earlier in the year? Tsuji was a good first opponent, as that handsome son of a bitch really pushed Kiyomiya to the limit, but the spinning full nelson slam set the stage for Kiyomiya to get the first of what should be many wins in this G1. I also predict Tsuji getting his win back over SANADA later in the tournament. I pick SANADA & Kiyomiya as the winners of A Block.

Taichi over Will Ospreay
Next to the 20 minute draw earlier, this was my favorite match of the night and it had almost entirely to do with the selling of Ospreay. It started with Ospreay in full control and audibly saying he had about 18 more minutes to beat the living shit out of Taichi. That was fine, until Ospreay ate a kick and started to sell his equilibrium was off, stumbling off the top rope and allowing Taichi to get in control. While Ospreay managed to right the ship, Taichi was able to hit Black Mephisto and get the upset win in my eyes. They really played this off like the war with Kenny Omega might have played into Ospreay potentially having an undiagnosed concussion and could spell his demise potentially in B Block, which I don’t see happening.

SANADA over Hikuleo
It’s interesting with SANADA, who has the look of a World Champion far more than EVIL did or even Shingo for the brief time he held the title. That said, as impressive as SANADA has been from an in ring standpoint, he always comes across as Lil Okada to me. That’s through no fault of his own, the crowd just doesn’t pop at his signature moves like they do to Okada. So while Hikuleo, who is still super green, had his moments of putting SANADA away here briefly, the crowd didn’t believe it. SANADA will have a strong showing in this block being the IWGP Champion and he won in 10 minutes with Deadfall and closed the show with Taichi holding up their respective titles. Night 1 of the G1 belonged to Just 5 Guys.

A Block
2 Points: Owens, Kiyomiya, SANADA
1 Points: Narita, Umino
0 Points: Kidd, Tsuji, Hikuleo

B Block
2 Points: YOSHI, Loa, Okada, Taichi
0 Points: ELP, KENTA, O-Khan, Ospreay

Night 3
Kaito Kiyomiya over Chase Owens
We open with the battle of two fellas who don’t like tanning, as Sheamus would be proud at the pastiness in this match. Kiyomiya really only managed arm drags and flying forearms while the rest was dominated by Owens, who hit a snazzy little slingshot spinebuster I hope to see more of this tournament. They are slowly building Kiyomiya as a never say die competitor that the crowd can get behind and they’ve done a good job so far. He countered a Package Piledriver into a snap rana, hit the spinning full nelson slam and shining wizard for the victory.

KENTA over Great O-Khan
In a battle of who could out-shenanigan the other, it was KENTA who stood tall over O-Khan. I didn’t think they needed to go 12 minutes doing this story, but ultimately KENTA got a roll up off O-Khan’s claw hold and held onto the ropes to steal it.

Gabe Kidd over Hikuleo
Similar to his opener with Chase Owens, we saw Kidd do early brawling in the crowd before the match even began. Once it finally started, Kidd wanted a bounce back lariat, but Hikuleo tried turning it into a snap powerslam and KIDD LANDED RIGHT ON HIS HEAD. The second day in a row someone landed fucking nasty, can we stop that please? Kidd shoved the ref down, attacked Jado, kicked Hikuleo low and hit a piledriver to win it.

Taichi over Tanga Loa
There was nothing wrong with this match from an action standpoint, I just didn’t get into it and the crowd was dead silent. This wasn’t working boots Taichi, who still managed to rip his britches off and roll up Loa with the Taichi Clutch for the win.

Ren Narita vs. Yota Tsuji ended in a 20 Minute Draw
So Narita will undoubtedly be the Iron Man of this block, but I worry if he goes 20 minutes with guys like Chase Owens or Hikuleo. Everyone else I’m totally cool with. Narita was in control the first half of the match until Tsuji hit a charging dive so fast that he landed stomach first on the railing in the process. Back inside, Narita desperately wanted a Cobra Twist or belly to belly but ran into a tilt a whirl back breaker. Tsuji sank in the Young Lion special, the Boston Crab, but Narita escaped. Tsuji hit his sit out suplex for a close two and huge Curb Stomp, but Narita wouldn’t quit. Narita blocked a charge into a leaping knee drop and rolling Northern Lights, but with 2 minutes left, probably wasn’t the smartest idea, as Tsuji hit a pump knee and violent headbutt before smiling and collapsing. With 1 minute left, both men fought up in the ropes, as Narita sank in a Cobra Twist while on the second rope and missed a diving knee at the bell. Tsuji charged and both men went tumbling over the top. I think they were off about 10 seconds, but this was an excellent match. Narita still has never beaten Tsuji in their careers. Will Narita win this block, of course now, but I think he will get one definitive win, against whom, I don’t know, but when it happens, it’ll be special.

Will Ospreay over YOSHI-HASHI
YH chopped Ospreay so hard early that he busted his chest open, but Ospreay did in fact get his receipt and echo a super hard chop. YH regained control starting with a perfect DDT as Ospreay quickly responded with a handspring kick and Pip, Pip, Cheerio. A violent chop exchange forced Ospreay to switch to Kawada kicks, flipped out of Karma and hit a roaring elbow into the Oscutter. YH dodged Hidden Blade into a blindside knee, but Ospreay hit a hook kick, charged and YH turned him inside out with a wild lariat, Kumagoroshi and Destroyer for two. Ospreay, bleeding from the mouth now too, blocked Karma into the standing Spanish Fly. YH again dodged Hidden Blade, but got trapped in the corner with the Cheeky Nando, spinning powerbomb and Leap of Faith, the 540 corkscrew senton for the win in a fucking awesome match.

SANADA over Shota Umino
While these dudes hit hard, this was a much slower paced match than I would’ve expected, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as this was far from boring. Both guys had a lot of counters and really couldn’t string together enough offense to really stay in control long, as it turned into an anything you can do, I can do better type deal. The explosiveness of Umino makes him so much fun to watch, as he nearly put away SANADA with a Tornado DDT at the 15 minute mark and wild ass spinning neckbreaker to follow. Whenever SANADA locked in Skull End, the crowd didn’t react at all, similar to Okada with the Money Clip. It’s become more of a rest hold than anything and the amount of times he uses it, makes it less special as the match goes on. These two turned on the boosters with 3 minutes left and it was SANADA who hit a pop up cutter, shining wizard and Deadfall for the win with just over a minute left.

Kazuchika Okada over ELP
Similar to the previous match, it seemed like right when ELP looked to string something together; Okada cut him off just in time. The crowd did seem to be behind ELP at times though, which is great, as Okada hit a leaping ELP in mid air with a dropkick. ELP dodged a Rainmaker, but ran right into the patented Okada dropkick again and rolling Germans. Okada tried the spot again, but ELP ducked and hit a Lionsault. ELP hit a Burning Hammer and Sudden Death, followed up by CR2, only for Okada to kick out with a millisecond left. Okada rolled to the floor to avoid the frog splash, but ELP turned it into a moonsault off the top. Back inside, Okada got his knees up to avoid Thunder Kiss, as the two countered all their greatest hits until ELP laid out Okada with a Tombstone. Okada avoided another CR2 into Landslide and Rainmaker for the win in a fantastic main event. ELP put up one hell of a fight.

A Block
4 Points: Kiyomiya, SANADA
2 Points: Owens, Kidd, Narita
1 Points: Umino, Tsuji
0 Points: Hikuleo

B Block
4 Points: Taichi, Okada
2 Points: YOSHI, Loa, KENTA, Ospreay
0 Points: ELP, O-Khan

Gabe Kidd over Ren Narita
First three matches didn’t really interest me, so I skipped to this one, as these two worked well with one another. Kidd continued his strategy of attacking prior to the bell and it paid off briefly until Narita mounted his comeback with the Young Lion offense that included the Cobra Twist and a deathlock that Kidd nearly tapped off of. Ultimately Kidd avoided a belly to belly; Cobra Twist and hit a ripcord slap that almost KO’d Narita. Both men hulked up at the same time, kicking out at one counts and Narita nearly got the win off a jumping knee strike. Kidd would pull the ref into him, mule kick Narita to escape the Cobra Twist and get a piledriver to steal the win. Narita is going to win a match with that damn Cobra Twist one of these days.

Will Ospreay over KENTA
So this new incarnation of Bullet Club attacks you before the bell, as seen in the Kidd match and now with KENTA, who beat Ospreay into the crowd. Kevin Kelly was about to question Ospreay’s equilibrium, but right on cue he hit a springboard handspring and Pip Pip Cheerio. KENTA would hit a draping DDT to the floor, which Ospreay beat the count at 19, but rolled right into a shotgun corner dropkick and top rope stomp. Insane sequence with Ospreay avoiding GTS and both guys started throwing fucking bombs at one another before the ref took a bump at the 10 minute mark. These were some of the stiffest shots of the tournament. KENTA wore Osperay out with a kendo stick, but dodged the home run shot, looked for a shot of his own, only for KENTA to go low and get a belt shot with the DEFY World Title. Ospreay hit a Hook Kick out of a GTS attempt, but KENTA blocked Oscutter into Game Over. Ospreay escaped into a powerbomb, but KENTA avoided the Sky Twister Press into Busaiku Knee. KENTA wanted another, but ate a superkick, Hidden Blade and Storm Breaker for the Ospreay win in a great match.

Kaito Kiyomiya and Shota Umino went to a 20 Minute Time Limit
First meeting between these two and I have a feeling it won’t be the last, as these two are certainly the future of Japanese wrestling. That future is bright because the pace these two set was amazing as the first 10 minutes absolutely flew by and was back and forth the whole time. It slowed down considerably the second half, as that’s simply because both were exhausted and selling how incredibly quick the pace was. A thing to note too was this crowd was on fire for this match and it only got louder as the match wound down to the last few minutes. Kiyomiya went for the Shining Wizard at 60 seconds, but Umino caught him in a pop up double underhook driver. Umino tried a cover at 10 seconds, but Kiyomiya kicked out and the time limit expired. These 20 minute time limits have been utilized so incredibly well thus far and they’re using them mainly for the younger talent, which is great.

Kazuchika Okada over Taichi
Ok, so this year Okada has developed this no bullshit attitude and it fucking rules, as if you piss him off in any way, you are screwed. Pissed off Okada is my favorite Okada, as he murdered Taichi with a forearm halfway through this match that was so insanely loud. Taichi thankfully had his working boots on tonight (his britches were pulled off relatively early, so that’s how you know), which guarantees a fun match. Okada wanted his missile dropkick, but Taichi hit a powerbomb in mid air that looked brutal. Buzzsaw Kick connected, but right as he went for an Axe Bomber, Okada hit a dropkick, only for Taichi to counter Rainmaker into two Saito Suplexes, Axe Bomber and bridging German for two. Okada blocked Black Mephisto, Taichi blocked Landslide, Okada kicked out of Taichi Clutch (Red Shoes pulled the count honestly), as Kevin Kelly said everyone in the arena now thinks Red Shoes sucks. Taichi hit a crazy enzugiri, but as he went for Black Mephisto, Okada turned it into a pinning combination for the win. While Taichi’s match with Ospreay was very good, it was almost entirely thanks to Ospreay’s selling. This match with Okada was equally due to both men. Well done Taichi, I wish we saw this version of you more! The best Taichi match of the tournament thus far (and best Okada match so far as well). Okada is now 5-0 lifetime against Taichi, who demanded Okada challenge him for his KOPW Title. Kevin Kelly said “yeah, sure kid, that’s the closest Okada will come to competing for the KOPW Title” despite Okada literally being in the inaugural match for the first champion.

SANADA over Yota Tsuji
A rematch of the main event of Dominion this year, as this was the upset special I had picked pre-tournament, but it wasn’t meant to be. I was hopeful Tsuji would get his win back, but SANADA instead went up 2-0 in their series. The first half of this match was very slow and I don’t know if the crowd was super into that after the thriller they’d just seen with Okada & Taichi. Thankfully Tsuji kicked things into gear and at the 15 minute mark, connected with a SANADA-esque moonsault for a huge pop from the crowd. SANADA managed to get Skull End sank in, but the moonsault out of the corner to get there saw him land right on a crumbled up Tsuji, who escaped into a wild Falcon Arrow. Tsuji briefly got the Gory Special, but SANADA countered into a Poison-Rana and Shining Wizard. Tsuji cartwheeled out of Deadfall and hit a stiff headbutt and Curb Stomp for two. 2 minutes left, Tsuji tried a Spear, but dove right into a Cutter. SANADA hit a moonsault flush and Deadfall for the win. The last 7 or so minutes of the 19 were really great stuff, but the problem with Okada & SANADA being in A & B Blocks is they will always be on the same shows together and Okada’s matches get a lot more of a reaction than SANADA’s do. It’s not that SANADA is boring or a bad wrestler by any means, I think this new incarnation has been great for him, it’s just that his matches take a lot longer to get the crowd into it, which they do get there, but not as fast as an Okada’s does.

A Block
6 Points: SANADA
5 Points: Kiyomiya
4 Points: Owens, Kidd
2 Points: Narita, Umino
1 Points: Tsuji
0 Points: Hikuleo

B Block
6 Points: Okada
4 Points: Taichi, Ospreay, YOSHI
2 Points: Loa, KENTA, O-Khan
0 Points: ELP

Night 7
Shota Umino over Gabe Kidd
El Phantasmo over Tanga Loa
Hikuleo over Ren Narita
Will Ospreay over Great O-Khan
This was the weakest Ospreay match of the tournament thus far. First half was pretty slow and evenly matched until O-Khan ragdolled Ospreay over the top and started cheating with a chair, ref bump and mist to the eyes. It picked up from there as the story was what was O-Khan willing to do in order to defeat his United Empire buddy. I was impressed by some of O-Khan’s high flying here, but ultimately hit his Leap of Faith for the win. Next up is Ospreay vs. Okada in B Block and that should undoubtedly be a match of the tournament.

KENTA over Taichi
120 seconds and we got a ref bump, title shot to the shin (that could tell a story for Taichi later in the tournament), low blow and stolen victory by KENTA. Kevin Kelly made a Bobby Hill King of the Hill reference on commentary, the best part of this match by far.

Yota Tsuji over Chase Owens
I know they don’t like doing multiple quick matches on a card, especially back to back, but I would’ve had Tsuji steamroll Owens here, especially after his heartbreaking second loss to SANADA last time out. That way it would’ve salvaged a little bit from the previous loss and makes Tsuji look strong heading into the second half of the tournament. It didn’t happen, as for some reason they had him go 12 minutes with Owens, who is easily one of the weakest names in the tournament. Regardless, thankfully Tsuji got the win here with a Spear.

Kazuchika Okada over YOSHI-HASHI
We saw the United Empire clash earlier in the night, this time it’s CHAOS’ turn. This was a slower paced match than you’d expect, but not in a boring way, more of a calculating one in that their moves meant something. These two had wrestled in three previous G1 matches with Okada winning all of them, so YH had something to prove here, not just preventing Okada from getting 8 points. Both guys know each other so well dating back to their Wrestle Kingdom match 11 years prior and it came into the story, as each dude had counters to a ton, including YH hitting a Rainmaker off an Okada ripcord followed by his Kumagoroshi. At the 15 minute call, Okada hit Landslide, but YH kept avoiding Rainmaker, tried his crucifix bomb, only for Okada to turn it into another Landslide and Rainmaker to win it. A very fun match to add to their G1 series of contests.

SANADA over Kaito Kiyomiya
I liked the story they told in the first 10 minutes, as SANADA proved he was the better ground wrestler, but Kiyomiya decided to turn it into a quick sprint to take control and zone in on the left arm, switching to the leg with a missile dropkick to the wheel. With the pace being slowed, you could tell this was going long. They worked a super long figure four spot and it felt like 5 minutes of the match was devoted solely to this, as we got a 15 minute call during it. SANADA got the ropes and hit desperation Tiger Driver into the double down. I fucking HATED how SANADA KIPPED UP after all of that fucking stuff done on the knee and he barely sold it. He slapped the knee a few times, but fuck dude, c’mon, way to devalue a majority of this match. SANADA did try his moonsault, landed on his feet and crumbled, so he at least sold that right as Kiyomiya popped him with a Shining Wizard. SANADA hit a dropkick (again, why do a perfect dropkick after the bad leg?), as Kiyomiya hit his Tiger Suplex and spinning Tiger Slam for two at the 19 minute call. SANADA hit a Shining Wizard of his own on perfectly springy legs to annoy me more and one final one at 19:58 to win it with 2 seconds left. Ok, so this match could’ve been one of the best of the tournament, but the lack of selling from SANADA towards the end, with the kip up, Shining Wizards, dropkicks, it really took me out of it. Kiyomiya looked phenomenal though, so I will say that. I have a hard time picturing SANADA losing to anyone else he has left in his block, as the tough ones are all out of the way now. No offense to Narita, Kidd or Owens, they just shouldn’t be beating the world champ, unless it’s Narita, who perhaps survives in a draw? I don’t even know if I’d do that.

A Block
8 Points: SANADA
5 Points: Kiyomiya
4 Points: Owens, Kidd, Umino
3 Points: Tsuji
2 Points: Narita, Hikuleo

B Block
8 Points: Okada
6 Points: Ospreay
4 Points: Taichi, YOSHI, KENTA
2 Points: Loa, O-Khan, ELP

Night 10
EVIL over Tomohiro Ishii
Because we can’t have nice things, it was of course EVIL who eliminated Ishii from G1.

David Finlay over Henare
This was a pretty dominating showing from Finlay and I’m surprised by that, not at Finlay winning, but how much he controlled nearly this whole thing. Henare is officially eliminated from the G1 as a result.

Toru Yano over Jeff Cobb
Cobb got Yano’d in 2 minutes, which is unfortunate because Cobb has been so dominant in D Block up to this point. Best part of this was Kevin Kelly doing a Harry Carey impression when Yano drank a been post match. This win technically leaves Yano still in the hunt, though we know that’s not happening.

Eddie Kingston over Mikey Nicholls
Fueled by meeting Toshiaki Kawada and getting his Ribera jacket, Kingston had a slower paced match than you’d imagine, but it was certainly hard hitting. Nicholls wanted his finish, but settled for a DVD and sliding D for two. Nicholls trash talked too much, woke Kingston up and multiple Saito suplexes led to a half and half that dropped Nicholls right on his noggin. Kingston fired off a back fist and Nicholls face planted for the victory. Eddie has his two biggest matches left for C Block with Tama Tonga & David Finlay remaining. Nicholls is officially eliminated from G1.

Tetsuya Naito over Alex Coughlin
Once we got past the stalling (and spitting in each other’s faces, which is just gross), this turned into a fun little match. This wasn’t the best from either man, but still fun for what it was. Coughlin hit a pop up powerbomb at one point and the ref pulled the count, while Naito didn’t kick out in time, making it look ridiculous. Coughlin fought out of Destino into a Black Hole Slam and lariat, but couldn’t put Naito away. Right at the 10 minute mark, Naito hit a proper Destino and got the win.

Zack Sabre Jr. over Shane Haste
Sweet boy Fujita was pretty much stuck in the middle of this battle between TMDK stable mates, not allowing either of them to cheat most of the time. This was another hard hitting back and forth with Haste continuing his strong showings against all competitors in his G1 debut. Sabre wrapped up Haste like a pretzel, trapping every body part but the right foot, which got a rope break. The kicks these two traded were so fucking loud, as Haste hit multiple lariats, but couldn’t hit Bomb Valley Death, as Sabre countered into a triangle in mid air. Haste opted to power out instead of the rope break, which allowed Sabre to reposition and get the Euro Clutch for the pin. Fun ending to a fun match.

Tama Tonga vs. Shingo Takagi went to a Time Limit Draw
After the first 10 minutes, you could tell this was either going to a draw or coming down to the last minute. The offense was slow, but impactful, with neither man really to string together a long series of moves. Right at the half way mark, Shingo hit a massive superplex and Tama literally bounced high in the air as a result. After a huge slug fest, Tama hit a rolling DVD and Supreme Flow for close two at the 15 minute call. Both men blocked finishers until an arm trapped driver nearly dropped Tama on his head. A fucking violent sliding forearm followed for Shingo, who wanted Last of the Dragon, but Tama countered into the Tongan Twist. Two minutes left, Shingo hit a pop up Gun Stun and Pumping Bomber, but Tama managed to kick out. Both men scrambled for pin attempts, but the time expired in this excellent battle. I have a feeling this match is going to play a pivotal part in who advances in C Block. I predict Finlay & Shingo are the two who advance and I think this one point for Shingo will push him past someone like EVIL, who I pray starts to crumble the last two matches. Tama could certainly take it instead of Shingo, but I’m just putting my money on Shingo since Tama made it far last year.

Hiroshi Tanahashi over Hirooki Goto
This is an interesting story here, as the legs of Tanahashi are well documented, but Goto has had his injured ribs throughout nearly this entire G1. Both men are moving gingerly, but can turn it on at any given moment, which they did, showing why they are still two of the best in the world, even at this point in their careers. They are so beaten up, but are able to put on such compelling matches, which prove why they are so awesome. Goto managed to connect with GTW, but the heart of Tanahashi kept going. Tanahashi countered GTR, Goto wanted Shoutenkai, but Tanahashi just collapsed onto Goto. That was kind of a botch, but you could certainly play it off like Goto’s ribs just gave out on him. This allowed Tanahashi to hit Sling Blade, Aces High and High Fly Flow for the win. Kevin Kelly asked how many High Fly Flows does Tanahashi have left in him, can he find his way back to the title? I would have to say no, sadly, but he’s certainly going to go until the wheels fall off. There aren’t many who display fighting spirit more than these two fellas.

C Block
8 Points: Finlay, EVIL
7 Points: Tonga
6 Points: Kingston
5 Points: Takagi
2 Points: Nicholls, Henare, Ishii (eliminated)

D Block
8 Points: Cobb, Sabre
6 Points: Naito, Tanahashi
4 Points: Goto, Haste
2 Points: Yano, Coughlin (eliminated)

Night 12
Mikey Nicholls over EVIL
Toru Yano over Shane Haste
Henare over Tomohiro Ishii
Alex Coughlin over Hiroshi Tanahashi
I like how occasionally these rookies in the G1 have gotten wins over established names. First it was Haste over Naito and now Coughlin gets his biggest win to date against The Ace of New Japan. Tanahashi hit his sequence of Twist & Shout and two Sling Blade variations, but Coughlin kept fighting. Tanahashi wanted Aces High, but Coughlin caught him with a bridging fall away slam for a cool looking near fall. Coughlin more two counts off a rolling DVD and lariat to the neck, managing to power Tanahashi up for the Jackhammer to get the win.

Hirooki Goto over Jeff Cobb
Could Goto’s ribs survive the onslaught of offense by Cobb was the story here. Cobb tried Tour of the Islands, but Goto countered into a Code Red, which was wild to see. Goto followed up with GTR and got the win around 10 minutes and Cobb has now dropped two in a row. Cobb gets Haste on the final night, so that’s a winnable match, which leads me to believe he’ll be one of the two advancing. Unless they just go all the way with the strong start and weak finish story for Cobb. Goto is still alive as well and a win over Sabre in the final night would guarantee him a spot in the quarterfinals.

Eddie Kingston over Tama Tonga
Hot damn these two beat the piss out of each other, as this was a very fun back and forth battle. At the 10 minute mark, Tonga countered a spinning backfist into the Tongan Twist, but Kingston responded with a half and half and backfist for close two. Tama wanted Gun Stun, but Kingston spun out into another backfist and Northern Lights Bomb for the hard earned win. Kingston sits atop C Block right now with EVIL, but it comes down to winning his final match against Finlay on whether or not Eddie will advance to the Quarters. Tonga is still very much alive as well heading into his match with Henare, who could play spoiler.

Tetsuya Naito over Zack Sabre Jr.
Only 3 of the 10 matches these two have had has gone under 20 minutes. This is exactly what you’d expect from these two, as it was solid throughout filled with tons of counters. Sabre tried for the home run Zack Driver, but Naito countered into a Naito Driver. Sabre kicked away a Destino attempt, but Naito hit his Tornado DDT into a rollup for the pin at 19 minutes. This win not only kept Naito alive, but also Goto as a result, making the Goto/Sabre match on the last night of D Block means that much more.

Shingo Takagi over David Finlay
Once we got passed the early Gedo bullshit, this turned into a great match. Shingo fought back from early interference to hit Noshigami and massive superplex. Finlay answered with a Dominator and wild lariat, but opted to pose too long and couldn’t hit Into Oblivion. Shingo countered into a Cobra Twist pin, but Finlay escaped into multiple back breakers. 15 minute mark Shingo avoided Into Oblivion and hit Made in Japan for a very close near fall. They traded uncomfortable headbutts that weren’t necessary, then switched to the much tolerable forearms and slaps. Finlay ducked Pumping Bomber into a Spear and Powerbomb as he signaled for the home run shot after another powerbomb connected. Shingo jumped out of Into Oblivion to hit a wild running forearm and turned Finlay inside out with a lariat with 90 seconds left. The Last of the Dragon hit flush and Shingo got the win in a great main event. These two are my picks to advance in C Block and despite losing to Shingo tonight, I think Finlay wins the Block and Shingo gets 2nd place.

C Block
8 Points: Finlay, EVIL, Kingston
7 Points: Tonga, Takagi
4 Points: Nicholls, Henare (eliminated)
2 Points: Ishii (eliminated)

D Block
8 Points: Cobb, Sabre, Naito
6 Points: Tanahashi, Goto
4 Points: Haste, Coughlin, Yano (eliminated)

Night 14
KENTA over YOSHI-HASHI
Great O-Khan over Taichi
Kazuchika Okada over Tanga Loa
The only further B Block importance this match had was whether or not Okada would be the 1st place of the block or 2nd, as he had already advanced regardless. Even if Loa won, he would’ve already been eliminated.

Will Ospreay over El Phantasmo
This meant a whole lot more, as if ELP won this, he would’ve advanced due to the tiebreaker over Will. So Ospreay just dared ELP to fight him out the gate and absorbed everything (including a titty twister) thrown his way. ELP tried to fight back, but Ospreay hit his wall walk enzugiri and handspring Pele at a speed that’s just on another level than anyone else. Ospreay wanted a moonsault to the floor, but ELP shoved him off and did a rope walk moonsault outside. ELP fired up back inside, eating a violent chop to the neck and thrust kick to the apron, where Ospreay followed with an Oscutter on the edge of the ring. ELP sold it like death, but managed to beat the count, taking Ospreay down with the Jody Fleisch twisting springboard DDT for two. Ospreay fought back with a fucking violent ass Hidden Blade, pulled an almost motionless ELP up and hit the Tiger Driver 91 for the win, not dropping ELP on his head like he did to Omega, but this was a statement win for Ospreay. Again, if he doesn’t win this G1, then what are we even doing here? I don’t care about anyone else challenging the World Champion at Wrestling Kingdom than Ospreay. Then again, with the way A Block was booked, I wouldn’t put anything past Gedo and the booking committee.

Final B Block Standings
12 Points: Okada (advances)
10 Points: Ospreay (advances)
6 Points: Taichi, ELP, Loa, KENTA, O-Khan (eliminated)
4 Points: YOSHI (eliminated)

Night 16
Alex Coughlin over Toru Yano
Jeff Cobb vs. Shane Haste ended in a double countout
Zack Sabre Jr. over Hirooki Goto
You won’t get a bad match between these two regardless of the show. Goto’s story this whole G1 was that his body was breaking down on him, especially his ribs. Sabre is the last person you want to face in that circumstance, as he was hell bent on folding Goto up every way possible. The heart and determination of Goto made it close, as he had some hope spots, but Sabre’s quest to survive D Block was too much and he put away Goto with a submission that had Goto’s arms trapped, back stretched and ribs aching. Sabre officially advances as he is the first to 10 points. Sabre celebrated in a group of TMDK fans, as he now faces either Okada or Hikuleo in the Quarters.

Tetsuya Naito over Hiroshi Tanahashi
The final block match of the G1 33 is a win and you’re in (unless this went to a draw/countout, then Cobb would have the tiebreaker over Naito) and it’s pretty fitting it’s between the two biggest names in the D Block. This was exactly what you’d expect from these two, as they put on a very entertaining battle, I’d say arguably Tanahashi’s best of this tournament. Kevin Kelly always talked about how many High Fly Flows does he have left in the tank and Naito getting the knees up to avoid one really allowed all the momentum Tanahashi built up to halt. Tanahashi countered a Destino into a small package and rolling Twist & Shouts into an inside cradle for a super close two. A Sling Blade led to a crucifix pin that looked like three, but Red Shoes was crazy slow on the count. After a beautiful straightjacket German, Naito spat in Tanahashi’s face and absolutely spiked him with a Tornado DDT that sounded just as violent as it looked and Naito got the pin.

Final D Block Standings
10 Points: Sabre, Naito (advanced)
9 Points: Cobb (eliminated)
6 Points: Tanahashi, Goto, Coughlin (eliminated)
5 Points: Haste (eliminated)
4 Points: Yano (eliminated)

Semifinals
Kazuchika Okada over EVIL
Two words. Thank. God.

Tetsuya Naito over Will Ospreay
While Naito tried his stalling shenanigans early, Ospreay controlled the majority of the first five minutes. Naito turned it around, but Ospreay hit his back handspring pele kick sending Naito to the floor. Ospreay wanted his Leap of Faith to the floor, but Naito cut him off, battled to the apron where Ospreay was dropped with a hangman’s neckbreaker on the apron and then one to the floor that dropped him on his head. Ospreay beat the count at 19 and rolled right into Gloria for two and locked in the Pluma Blanca submission. Ospreay got the ropes, but Naito tried an Avalanche Poison Rana, only for Ospreay to land on his feet and hit a Shooting Star on a draped Naito. Massive Liger Bomb got a near fall at the 20 minute mark. Naito ducked Hidden Blade, blocked Oscutter, but a head of steam allowed Ospreay to hit a diving Hidden Blade. Naito phenomenally flipped out of another Liger Bomb into a spike DDT that caused the reset.

Naito hit his Tornado DDT and Valencia that again spiked Ospreay, who kicked out at two. Naito wanted Stardust Press, missed and Ospreay bolted up into Hidden Blade, but couldn’t make the cover. Both men slowly crawled to their knees for a forearm battle and Naito started throwing bombs of side elbows until Ospreay threw a headbutt, Naito slapped the shit out of him and Ospreay answered with hook kicks and Kawada kicks. Ospreay wanted to beat the living fuck out of Naito, but Red Shoes had to pull him off (WHY THE FUCK IS THAT HAPPENING??? CALL THE MATCH THEN!!). Red Shoes instead put a 10 count on Naito, who shoved him away at the 9 count, but ate a Hidden Blade and Oscutter 1…2…NO! Ospreay connected with Leap of Faith for 1…2…NO!! Ospreay is shocked and the crowd is going nuts for Naito. Ospreay tried Storm Breaker, but Naito popped out into a snap hurricanrana. Ospreay got up and hit a hook kick, but as Naito tried to recover, he crumbled. Ospreay tried a ripcord Hidden Blade, but again Naito awkwardly crumbled. Ospreay tried Storm Breaker, but Naito spun into Destino, then another 1…2…NO!! Naito hit a proper Destino that fucking dropped Ospreay on his neck for the win. This was match of the tournament, even over Okada/Ospreay, this was unreal shit.

It’s noteworthy in the post match interview that Ospreay switched the IWGP US Title to the IWGP UK Title and the US flag is replaced on the front of the belt. I assume Ospreay vs. Jericho is happening at All In and it will get a huge pop for Ospreay in London to be announced as the IWGP UK Champion. Ospreay was my pick to win it all, as it made sense with his post match Wrestle Kingdom comments last year about how if he fails winning the title at WK, then what does he have left? It seems like Gedo, Ospreay, everyone forgot about that promo and Ospreay was just happy with his performance and is focused on the UK Title now. I’m disappointed 10 of the last 11 G1 winners (minus Omega in 2016) has been Okada, Naito, Tanahashi or Ibushi, that’s it, no one new. It’ll be the same this year. You wonder why New Japan doesn’t have new main event stars, it’s because they’re content on going back to the well. On the other hand, I can’t say the crowd wasn’t behind Naito at the end because they were.

Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito

Finals
The record is 7-6 with these two as Okada is up one in the series. Can Naito even the score and win his third G1? Can Okada win his third in a row and subsequently tie Masa Chono’s all time G1 record of 5 wins? Before I watch this match, it would make so much more sense for Naito to win and face SANADA for the title, his former LIJ buddy. Is it underwhelming, absolutely, but it is what it is, at least it’s not EVIL.

Tetsuya Naito defeated Kazuchika Okada
During the first half of the match, Naito hit a hip toss right over the knee and commentary said Naito could do a Barry Horowitz pat on the back for how well it was executed. So if you put money on a Horowitz reference in a G1 Climax Final in 2023, you’re a very rich dude. After the feeling out process, Naito really started to zone in on the neck of Okada, who was draped over the railing with a neckbreaker, barely beating the count. Naito has this submission move now where he locks his legs over the neck and acts like he can’t break his legs up after the 5 count on a rope break. It’s ridiculous, no matter how important the match, as the ref just lets him keep it on for like 20 seconds. Naito missed a corner charge and Okada set him up in the corner, dropkicking him to the floor and hitting a Tombstone out there 20 minutes in.

After a rolling German, discus lariat and dropkick, Okada demanded Red Shoes put the 10 count on Naito so he could win it by stoppage, but Naito moved at 6, so Okada just broke the count, ok then. We got an uppercut/spit battle ending in Naito spiking Okada with his Tornado DDT. After eating a series of elbows, Okada held his hand up and demanded more, which Naito obliged. A corner frankensteiner led to the Pluma Blanca locked on, but Okada got the ropes. Esperanza hit, Naito charged and countered Landslide into a DDT followed by Valencia. Natio missed Stardust Press and we’re right back to where we started 30 minutes in, both men exhausted.

Okada exploded out with a shotgun dropkick, but Naito countered a Rainmaker into a Tornado roll up for two. Naito reversed a whip and launched for a flying forearm, as these two both go from zero to sixty within seconds. Naito charged right into an Okada dropkick and Landslide followed. Okada wanted a Rainmaker, Naito tried a counter into Destino, but Okada popped him with a Rainmaker. Okada wanted another Rainmaker, but Naito countered into Polvo de Estrella for a near fall. Naito popped up and hit Destino flush, but Okada kicked out. The crowd is deafening behind Naito, who wanted a home run Destino, but Okada countered into another Landslide. Naito countered Rainmaker into Destino, then hit another for good measure for the 1…2…3. Damn, this match ruled.

The final 2 matches of this tournament reminds you not only what NJPW is all about, but what it’s capable of if they’re willing to just push other guys. Despite that, I can’t argue with the match quality of those they keep going back to, as it’s still top notch after all these years of Okada/Naito matches we’ve seen. It’s just guys like SANADA, while World Champion, and haven’t put on matches like this during his reign. Whether that’s attributed to him not being able to or not being allowed to by booking remains to be seen. They certainly have the talent; it’s just whether or not Gedo and the booking committee want to go with them all the way.