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Post by randomone on Jul 19, 2019 9:17:44 GMT -6
Night 6 Shingo Takagi vs. Taichi Shingo attacks immediately as Taichi rolled to the outside & shoved Miho into Shingo, letting both Shingo & the ref get distracted long enough for Taichi to hit Shingo with his microphone stand. To the crowd we go as Taichi smacks Shingo with a chair to the face (Red Shoes sees this from the ring, which begs the question, why did he need to be distracted to use the mic stand to begin with?). Back inside they trade offense as Shingo wouldn’t stay down for long, hitting a falling elbow off the top. Taichi avoids a Noshigami & sliding lariat, hits a brutal enzugiri that drops Shingo. We trade chops before Taichi starches Shingo with yet another enzugiri. Taichi no sells a backdrop suplex & hits one of his own. Axe Bomber countered into Noshigami by Shingo as he’s slow to recover. They throw simultaneous lariats (Pumping Bomber vs Axe Bomber) to the point where we get Taichi no selling a Pumping Bomber, then destroys Shingo with an Axe Bomber (keep up with that?). Brutal buzzsaw kick by Taichi, looks for Black Mephisto, Shingo counters into Made in Japan for 2! Shingo with two lariats, but wouldn’t let Taichi fall as he looks for Last of the Dragon, but Taichi out into a high kick, lariat to the neck & enzugiri, then nails a Last Ride powerbomb for 1…2…NO! Taichi shoves the ref & tries for a low blow, but Shingo blocks with a lariat, then Pumping Bomber for 1…2…KICK OUT! Shingo has had enough & plants Taichi with Last of the Dragon for 1…2..3!! This match frustrates me, because it shows you what Taichi is capable of, but it’s something we don’t see all that often. He’s usually so focused on the bells & whistles that it makes his matches really boring a lot of the time. This was not one of those matches, it was really good & fun, something I don’t say about Taichi matches, like, ever.
Juice Robinson vs. Jeff Cobb Juice hits some jabs & heavy chops early, tries for a pescado, but Cobb catches him, tries to suplex him outside, but Juice wiggles free & posts him. Back inside, Juice misses a standing moonsault, but Cobb moves. Juice tries a scissors kick, but Cobb catches him & launches him over his head. Juice looked for a spear through the ropes, but Cobb catches him & powers it into a gut wrench, which was awesome. Standing moonsault of his own by Cobb gets 2, looks for Tour of the Islands, but Juice hits his scissors kick. Stiff chop & forearm exchange that Cobb looks to win, but Juice hits a spinebuster. Picture perfect cannonball as Juice follows with a top rope frankensteiner for a near fall. Cobb cuts Juice off & tries for a superplex out of the corner, but Juice slips out & powerbombs Cobb for 2. Pulp Friction countered, Spin Cycle countered, Pulp Friction counter, Cobb hits his Spin Cycle throw. After some counters, Juice hits a right hand & lariat for 2. Pulp Friction blocked into a release German planting Juice on his head. Cobb with a superkick & another German, with a bridge for 2. Cobb looks for Tour of the Islands, Juice counters with a roll up for 2, looks for the Left Hand of God, but Cobb with a snap German, then Tour of the Islands for 1…2…3!! Cobb wins his first G1 match! That was lots of fun, I want to see it again.
Toru Yano vs. Jay White For the third time in this G1, match starts with White stalling, allowing Gedo to distract Yano for White to take control. Inside we go and Yano quickly unties the buckle pad, tosses it to White & almost gets rolled up. Switchblade blocks a low blow & hit one of his own, tries for Blade Runner, but Yano shoves Red Shoes & Yano misted White. Gedo in with the knucks, but Yano takes them from him, Red Shoes is shoved down again, he goes to Gedo, allowing Yano to hit a low blow with the brass knucks, schoolboy for the 1…2…3!! This was actually really fun, but it pisses me off because Switchblade, my finalist pick, is now 0-3 and has a big time uphill battle.
Hirooki Goto vs. Tetsuya Naito Before the match even started, Goto strangled Naito with his shirt, was in control early as the bell sounded, but Naito went after the left leg, eventually sinking in a figure four, but Goto got out, hit a discus lariat, wheel kick & Saito Suplex for 2. Goto nails a hangman’s neckbreaker out of the corner, but whenever he’d really get going, Naito would target the leg to cut him off. Naito hit a step up enzugiri & snap German, looked for Destino, but Goto powers out into a neckbreaker using his knee (almost a Ushigoroshi). Both slowly up & right on cue, Goto with a Ushigoroshi for 2. Goto hits some kicks to the chest (bad leg though, which I didn’t like), looks for GTR, but Naito headbutts out, poison rana blocked, tries Destino, but Goto hits a reverse GTR. With the bad leg, Goto hits a mid kick, tries for another Ushigoroshi, but Naito turns it into a DDT. Naito with Destino for 1…2…KICK OUT!! Crowd is deafening for Naito here as he plants Goto with another Destino for 1…2…3. I’m very conflicted on this match, it was really good at the end, but Naito is so damn banged up and you can clearly tell. I know a lot of the guys are banged up, but Naito is REALLY BANGED UP. I really wish he had some time to heal up. The match was good, Goto continues to impress & Naito, all things considered, looked good too. Obviously his best match so far this G1 (Taichi & Yano were his others, so it’s not saying a whole lot).
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jon Moxley This is the biggest test for Moxley in New Japan to date. He looked good against Juice, the Taichi match was ok, Cobb match was underwhelming, so let’s see how he fares against a refrigerator named Ishii. Face off leads to a stiff and awesome forearm battle as Mox knocks Ishii down with a shoulder block. To the floor we go as Mox sends Ishii into the stands as we go up into the seats. Mox hugs Red Shoes for some reason, then continues his attack on Ishii as we go back to the ring. Mox starts kicking away, but just pisses Ishii off in the process. Mox applies an STF, then transitions into a straightjacket strangle hold, but the lack of neck helps Ishii get out & slide to the ropes. Mox starts chopping away “More where that came from, bitch!” as he does a Violence Party (shout out to Super Dragon), hits the ropes, but Ishii explodes out with a tackle, then proceeds to murder Mox with chops of his own, then vertical suplex. Both roll to the floor and my goodness, both grab chairs & start swinging! Mox’s chair literally breaks, so he chucks it at Ishii. Mox sets up a table & they tease different spots where both look to go through it, but we go back inside where Mox dropkicks Ishii to the floor. Suicide dive by Mox who hits a chair shot to the back, charges with it & Ishii forearms the chair into Mox’s face!
I should point out there’s a fan ringside who is screaming his lungs out saying Ishii’s name, it’s actually pretty funny.
As I was laughing at that, Ishii placed Mox on the table & hit a fucking Superfly Splash off the top rope through it!! Holy shit! Back inside Ishii hits a suplex out of the corner, Mox avoids a sliding D, Ishii with a German, but Mox fires back with a German of his own, then massive lariat! This is awesome! Ishii avoids the Regal Knee with an enzugiri, sliding D, looks for the brainbuster, but Mox BITES ISHII allowing him to hit a Regal Knee as they are both down. Oh shit, we get unprotected headbutts (to the point of it being gross, I’m getting bad Shibata flashbacks), Ishii with a pop up headbutt, but Mox lariats him down, then a Uranage for 2. Mox measures him with another Regal Knee for 1…2…KICK OUT!! Ishii fights out of a Death Rider attempt with a short arm lariat, then another for a 1…2…KICK OUT! “You might have to drop a house on Jon Moxley to beat him” great line by Kevin Kelly as Ishii hit a headbutt as Mox does a Flair flop. Lariat to the neck, proper lariat, MOXLEY NO SELLS!! Palm strikes by both men as Mox hits Death Rider for 1…2…KICK OUT!!! Mox exposes the knee, connects with a Regal Knee, then another Death Rider for 1…2…3!! This match beyond ruled, this was the best Jon Moxley match I’ve seen in years. Ishii is a fucking legend. This match was insane, easily the best match in the B Block, arguably of the whole tournament.
A Block Standings 6 points – KENTA, Kazuchika Okada 4 points – Lance Archer, EVIL 2 points - Bad Luck Fale, SANADA, Will Ospreay, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi 0 points - Zack Sabre Jr.
B Block Standings 6 points – Jon Moxley 4 points – Juice Robinson, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano 2 points - Hirooki Goto, Shingo Takagi, Taichi, Jeff Cobb, Tetsuya Naito 0 points - Jay White
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Post by randomone on Jul 20, 2019 10:10:42 GMT -6
Night 7 Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Bad Luck Fale Instead of hit & run it was submission attempt & run as Zack got a guillotine immediately, Fale got out, so Zack went for the arm into a triangle, but Fale got free, tried for a Bad Luck Fall, but Sabre turned it into an Octopus Hold. Fale leans against the ropes allowing Jado to smack Sabre with a kendo stick as Chase Owens put the boots to ZSJ outside. Fale tried to murder Sabre going deep into the crowd & tried a Bad Luck Fall down the steps, but Zack got free, attacked Chase Owens, locked on the triangle in the stands as the count was on. He let go at 14, scrambled back into the ring as Fale couldn’t make the count giving ZSJ a countout win. This was short, did its job & got Sabre his first points of the G1, I was totally fine with this. I honestly liked this more than the Okada/Fale match.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Lance Archer Tana went for the leg immediately as we’d ultimately end up on the floor, where Archer hit a chokeslam on the apron. He went to get back in the ring, but Tana wouldn’t let him, so Archer hit a somersault dive off the apron. There’s dueling chants as Tana throws about 5 chops, Archer throws 1 and Tana goes down. Tana keeps popping up though & gets hit with a Black Hole Slam. Archer would control the match until Tana tried to take out the legs with a Cloverleaf, even tried to do Archer’s rope walk, but Archer slammed him down. He went for one of his own, but Tana pulled him off & hit a Twist & Shout then Slingblade. High Fly Flow though was countered into a huge chokeslam then Archer followed with a twisting splash for a super close 2. Archer looks for the EBD (Everybody Dies) Claw, Tana fights it, Archer gets it but Tana falls into the ropes. We go to the corner where Archer looks for Blackout, Tana turns it into a victory roll 1…2…3!! Archer is shocked & pissed as Tana survived. I thought this match was great. They played off the size differential perfectly & the surprise pin was excellent. I’m so happy Archer is in this block, he’s wrestling the best in the world & impressing the hell out of me.
KENTA vs. EVIL After a brief exchange of offense to start, we go outside where EVIL does EVIL things, grab the chair, wraps it around the head of KENTA and swings for the fences with a broken chair. We go into the crowd where EVIL set up a stack of chairs, traded counters, but KENTA suplexed EVIL onto them. Crowd is booing KENTA as we go back to the ring at the 13 count. I love that the crowd is chanting “EVIL! EVIL!” just hearing that’s hilarious to me. EVIL wins a misdirection spot, hits a fisherman’s suplex, looks to follow up, but KENTA with a snap powerslam then springboard dropkick. Flying boots & a stalling dropkick in the corner as KENTA looks for & hits a top rope double stomp for 1…2…KICK OUT. EVIL would fight back with a headbutt then Darkness Falls for a near fall of his own. EVIL looks for his finish, but they trade pin attempts & EVIL hits a lariat. Both slow to get up, EVIL looks for a huge lariat, but KENTA hits a Psycho Knee, then another for 2. PK blocked, EVIL went for a headbutt, but KENTA punted him in the head. PK followed by Go to Sleep for 1...2…3!! Not going to lie, I had higher hopes for this one. It was hampered by the brawl in the crowd, which wasn’t necessary. Had you done 5-7 more minutes in the ring instead of the brawling, I would’ve liked this so much more. Once it got going though, it was good; I just wish it was longer. KENTA the first to 8 points.
Kota Ibushi vs. SANADA This started slow for the first, oh, 45 seconds, then they sprinted with moves about 100 mph. After the stalemate we had dueling chants as both guy went to the second rope to let the crowd cheer. We get another quick back & forth, Kota tried a moonsault, but SANADA with the knees up, as he sends Kota to the floor & hits a plancha. Back inside, Ibushi takes back over & hits a moonsault this time. They trade pin attempts, SANADA quickly targets the knee, he goes for a dropkick to the knee, but as he slid, Ibushi countered with a double stomp. We then go to the striking battle with Ibushi hitting kicks and SANADA hitting uppercuts. Crowd pops for each one as these are stiff as hell. SANADA with forearms, but Ibushi turns him inside out with a lariat. Last Ride powerbomb gets Kota 2, he looks for Kamigoye, but SANADA avoids it & hits one of his own! SANADA looked for a moonsault, but Ibushi moves & hits a Bomaye! Ibushi is clutching his bad ankle, tries to throw SANADA to the corner, but SANADA locks in Skull End, Ibushi reverses it, SANADA reverses, Ibushi reverses & lawn darts SANADA into the corner (awesome sequence)! Commentary references SANADA’s past neck issues as Ibushi looks for a German, SANADA flips out, Ibushi with a Pele Kick, but SANADA turns a tilt a whirl into Skull End! Ibushi floated over, hits a high kick that crumbles SANADA, calls for another Bomaye, hits it 1…2…KICK OUT! Ibushi calls for & hits the Kamigoye knee 1…2…3! Fantastic match! I really hope we get this match again down the line, they worked great together.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay Battle of the CHAOS members as Ospreay is looking for his first win over Okada as I believe he’s 0-3 against him. Little moves like a shoulder tackle by Okada has Ospreay clutching his neck, but he answers with a monkey flip, looks to follow, Okada bails & Ospreay backflips into his pose. He opened the ropes for Okada to get back in, they go back at it, Okada dropkicks Will off the ropes to the floor, then opens the ropes for him. Okada works the neck, Ospreay fires back with chops, Okada just stares at him & takes it, then murders him with a forearm. Ospreay tries his handspring wheel kick, Okada ducks it, but Ospreay tries again & connects. Pip Pip Cheerio gets Ospreay 2, he looks for Storm Breaker, can’t hit it, THEN HITS THE LOUDEST CHOP I’VE EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE!! 619 in the ropes countered by Okada into an Air Raid Crash as Ospreay is holding his neck. Okada kips up & hits a John Woo dropkick, hits his top rope elbow, does the Rainmaker pose, flip kick by Ospreay, Okada misses his dropkick, Ospreay misses his standing shooting star, Okada with his dropkick then Tombstone, crazy sequence! Rainmaker countered as Ospreay hits a Robinson Special, looks for Oscutter, but gets dropkicked to the floor. We’re on the apron (I’m already wincing, please don’t do something stupid) at the 15 minute call, they tease spots, but Ospreay knocks Okada to the floor, he pulls Will off & looks for a Tombstone, Ospreay wiggles free & hits an Oscutter using the guardrail!! Okada in at 19, but Ospreay hits a springboard legdrop clear across the ring followed by an Oscutter 1…2…KICK OUT!
Oscutter off the top is countered into a German suplex as Okada hits his dropkick, looks for Rainmaker, but Ospreay turns it into a Spanish Fly!!! Ospreay quickly scurries to the top & hits a picture perfect Shooting Star Press for 1…2…KICK OUT!! Storm Breaker is countered into a Tombstone, that’s reversed into a Tombstone by Ospreay!! Hook kick, then Okada flips out of a Storm Breaker attempt, RAINMAKER!! Okada maintains wrist control, RAINMAKER, he screams & looks for a proper, but Ospreay floats over into Storm Breaker, no, SPINNING RAINMAKER!! He locks the wrist, turns Ospreay inside out with RAINMAKERRRR for the 3!! Fuckin A what a match! I’ll say this, the final 5 minutes were the best of the entire tournament, but I still liked Ospreay/Ibushi and Moxley/Ishii more as overall matches. However, you won’t find another wrestling match on the level of those closing minutes of this match. I’ll say this every time out, Will Ospreay is the best wrestler in the world.
A Block Standings 8 points – KENTA, Kazuchika Okada 4 points – Lance Archer, EVIL, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi 2 points - Bad Luck Fale, SANADA, Will Ospreay, Zack Sabre Jr.
B Block Standings 6 points – Jon Moxley 4 points – Juice Robinson, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano 2 points - Hirooki Goto, Shingo Takagi, Taichi, Jeff Cobb, Tetsuya Naito 0 points - Jay White
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 20, 2019 10:33:23 GMT -6
Ospreay is on another level right now.
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Post by randomone on Jul 20, 2019 10:41:32 GMT -6
Ospreay is on another level right now. It honestly scares me though. For his health. He's 26 and having these neck issues.
I know he's adapted his style to be less high flying, but he goes 100% every single time out. As a fan, it's awesome, but on a human level, I don't want to see his career cut short.
He's untouchable though in terms of best in the world.
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 20, 2019 10:57:07 GMT -6
I know. He's gonna either be crippled or retire by the time he's 32.
Going to WWE would be the best thing for his safety.
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Post by randomone on Jul 24, 2019 10:59:20 GMT -6
Night 8 Juice Robinson vs. Toru Yano Yano wanted a handshake; Juice said no bullshit, but of course, Yano bullshit as he rolled Juice up for 2. Yano untied the buckle pad & blocked the Hand of God punch with it & got another 2, then sent Juice to the floor. Yano gets the tape & attempts to tie Juice to the barricade, but Juice chucks the tape in the crowd & makes the count at 19. Yano was hiding more tape in his trunks, the ref checked Juice for some & he got rolled up for 2. Juice sent to the exposed corner, schoolboy for 2. Yano sends the ref in the corner as Juice blocks two low blow attempts, Juice with the Hand of God and Pulp Friction for the 3 count. Barely 4 minutes, this is exactly what you want in a Yano match. It was harmless & quick fun.
Hirooki Goto vs. Taichi I love this no nonsense Goto as he attacked Taichi before the bell. To the floor we go, Goto continues his attack before Taichi shoves Miho into him, goes around the ring & attacks Goto from behind, continues his onslaught, tries to get a countout, but Goto in at 18. Things slow down (imagine that) until Goto throws some slaps, but Taichi answers with Kawada Kicks. Goto looks for Ushigoroshi, but Taichi out and they trade lariats. Goto with a spin kick in the corner, backdrop suplex but gets him 2. They trade offense, some no sells, but Taichi hits a jump kick to the face, then one to the neck in the corner. Buzzsaw Kick gets Taichi 2, but Goto blocks a thrust kick & turns it into Ushigoroshi. They hit dueling clotheslines, sweat bursts off both guy as Goto hit an inverted GTR for 2, they trade Kawada Kicks & Goto headbutts through a jumping kick by Taichi (that was weird). Goto looked for Shouten Kai, Taichi gets free & chucks the ref into Goto (just what we need). Taichi gets his mic stand, Goto avoids it, looks for GTR as the ref is up, Taichi throws the ref into him again, low blow, Gedo Clutch for the 1…2…3. I love Goto, but this match sucked, crowd was dead for almost all of it and the shit finish helped no one. I’d prefer watching 3 Yano matches over this kind of match again.
Jon Moxley vs. Shingo Takagi Love that Rocky pointed out that both these guys were stablemates in Dragon Gate USA. We start hot with both having Violence Parties (shout out Super Dragon) as Shingo is bleeding from the mouth 40 seconds in this thing. Mox goes for a suicide dive, but Shingo catches him & hits a DVD on the floor! Mox fired back, posting Shingo, he looked for what’s become his signature table spot, but they traded attempts, but never got one (yet). Mox targeted the left leg with a figure four, but Shingo got the ropes. Shingo avoided a Death Rider & hit some clotheslines and suplex, but Mox went right back to the leg, posting it over & over, then sinking in a Figure Four around the post. Back inside we trade German suplexes, Mox tried for a Cloverleaf, but Shingo got out. Mox tried to shoot Shingo to the corner, but Shingo collapsed due to the bad leg. Regal Knee is countered into Noshigami, then Pumping Bomber for 2! Shingo looks for Last of the Dragon, but his leg gave way again, letting Mox hit Death Rider for 2! They went to the floor where Mox slammed Shingo’s leg onto the table; he barely could get up as he beats the count at 18. As Shingo rolled in, Mox immediately hit a Regal Knee, couldn’t get the follow up Death Rider as Shingo hits a desperation Made In Japan for 1…2…KICK OUT! They trade finisher attempts, Mox wiggles free from Last of the Dragon & hits a knee to the neck, then another Regal Knee for 2, sinks in the Cloverleaf, Shingo fights, but has to tap. Mox is the first person to tap Shingo (they didn’t put this over nearly as much as they should’ve). This was really fun, I almost wish it main evented this show as we would’ve gotten more time. This was a different story from any other of these twos G1 matches, so good on them. Mox is 4-0 and the first to 8 points. I predict the wheels start coming off soon for him as Naito is next, then the consistent spoiler, Yano.
Jeff Cobb vs. Jay White Switchblade stalls early (why, you’re down 0-3, dude), but Cobb hits a dropkick and beal as we to the floor. Gedo of course distracts Cobb long enough in the ring for White to hit a running knee to the back. He chokes Cobb with the ring cover then hits a neckbreaker off the apron. Red Shoes won’t count Cobb after that, but does after White throws him into the barricade (what?). Slingshot throat first over the bottom rope as Red Shoes won’t count the pin. Cobb hits a Samoan Drop, tries to kip up, but White pulls him by his hair doing so. Violent chops by Cobb, who hits a scary flapjack/back drop, then a gut wrench suplex. Cool vertical suplex, then a standing moonsault gets Cobb 2, looks for Tour of the Islands, but White bails to the apron, hangs him over the ropes & hits a DDT. Flatliner by Switchblade, who can’t hit the follow German due to Cobb’s size, so he settles for another Flatliner. Switchblade suckers Cobb into throwing a back elbow so he could hit a Saito suplex and Uranage. They trade hard shots with Cobb hitting a fall away slam, followed by a sidewalk slam. We go to the top as Gedo distracts Cobb long enough for Jay to get to the apron, but Cobb hits his Deadlift Superplex from out there into the ring for 1…2…NO!! White gets his shoulder up by an inch. Cobb calls for Tour of the Islands, but White elbows out, Cobb hits a strike that sends White tumbling into Red Shoes as Gedo jumps in, but gets taken out. They trade finisher attempts, Switchblade low blows him, Sleeper Suplex, but Cobb answers with a snap German, Tour of the Islands blocked into a Blade Runner for 1…2…3!! We certainly didn’t need yet another ref bump finish, but I’m just happy Switchblade won his first match. He’s going to have to win the last 6 matches of the tournament to have a shot at winning and I’m hoping he does it (he still has Shingo, Taichi, Moxley, Juice & Naito, so yikes). Take away the ref bump nonsense; this was a pretty solid showing by both.
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tetsuya Naito They trade a ton of forearms early with Naito hitting a snapmare/dropkick to the neck, spat on Ishii, who rolled to the floor as Naito hit his pose. Naito worked whatever neck Ishii has, but Ishii hits a snap powerslam & some chops, but Naito fires back only to get lit up with some chops. Naito hits an atomic drop & single leg dropkick to stop Ishii’s momentum. Snap rana, dropkick, Combinacion by Naito as he looks for a corner rana, but Ishii tries a powerbomb, Naito gets free & paintbrushes the shit out of Ishii to piss him off. Naito again spits in his face & gets leveled with a forearm. Ishii absolutely destroys Naito with forearms & chops, then plants Naito with a back suplex for 2. Powerbomb countered into a rana as Ishii looks for Sliding D, Naito hit an enzugiri, then Tornado DDT off the ropes as that was a friggin great back & forth. Naito hits a neckbreaker out of the ropes & hits a massive top rope rana for 2, but this awakens Ishii, who fights back, but Naito hits his flying forearm, then Gloria for 1…2…KICK OUT! Destino blocked as Naito hits a German, then Poison Rana, looks for Destino again, but Ishii turns him out with a lariat. Both slow to get up as Ishii gets Naito to the corner, uppercut headbutt then superplex for 2 as we get a 15 minute time call (that headbutt was nuts). Naito avoids a suplex, but not the headbutt as this time Ishii does connect with a violent lariat for 1…2…KICK OUT! Ishii looks for the vertical drop brainbuster, but Naito wiggles free into Destino 1…2…KICK OUT! Naito went for another, misses, hits a suplex, but ISHII NO SELLS!! Ishii with a Sliding Lariat for 2, he looks for a brainbuster, but Naito counters with a Michinoku Driver for 1…2…NO!! Naito up & plants Ishii with Destino for 1…2…3!! What a match, I really wish they’d throw us all a curveball one of these years and let Ishii win a G1 (let alone a Block), he’s so insanely great and at 43, you wonder how much longer he could go at this pace.
A Block Standings 8 points – KENTA, Kazuchika Okada 6 points – 4 points – Lance Archer, EVIL, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi 2 points - Bad Luck Fale, SANADA, Will Ospreay, Zack Sabre Jr.
B Block Standings 8 points – Jon Moxley 6 points –Juice Robinson 4 points – Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano, Shingo Takagi, Taichi, Tetsuya Naito 2 points - Hirooki Goto, Jeff Cobb, Jay White
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Post by randomone on Jul 27, 2019 10:02:34 GMT -6
Night 9 Kota Ibushi vs. Lance Archer Ibushi looked to be moving more tenderly on the bad ankle early on, but he still went for a rana, Archer blocked, but Ibushi used the momentum to take him over the top to the floor. Bad move as Archer took over, throwing Young Lions into Ibushi before bringing him back in. Kota would fight back briefly, but Archer would continue his onslaught, looking for a Derailer, but Ibushi hit a double stomp to the neck in mid air. Ibushi with a snap powerslam, looked for a moonsault, slipped with the bad ankle, but still connected. Leaping knee cuts Ibushi off in the corner, Archer looked for a superplex, Ibushi slipped through & hit a Last Ride powerbomb for 2. Archer hit a boot while hung up in the ropes, then did a cool somersault senton & massive chokeslam for 2. EBD Claw briefly, but Ibushi got the ropes, Archer with a full nelson, Ibushi into a victory roll for 2, but followed with a Bomaye! Kamigoye countered with a fucking violent knee right to the jaw for 2. I thought he KO’d Ibushi for a second. Archer went for a top rope moonsault, but crashed & burned, Ibushi charges, Archer caught him, looks for Blackout, but Ibushi wiggles free & hits another Bomaye for 2! Ibushi grabs the arms, Kamigoye, BUT ARCHER DOESN’T GO DOWN!! Ibushi exposes his knee & hits another Kamigoye for 3!! Ibushi is awesome, you know this, but I tell you what, in terms of the “big men” in this tournament, Archer has blown away Fale & Cobb, but he’s been better than a lot of the top name guys too. Another fantastic showing from him as his next match is against Okada.
Will Ospreay vs. Bad Luck Fale Bell rings for the match to start AS Chase Owens & Jado are attacking Ospreay on the ramp, which is dumb. Ospreay avoided a kendo shot, then hit Pip Pip Cheerio immediately on Fale, but got hit with the kendo stick by Jado. I’m already dreading watching the rest of this. It’s Fale doing a rest hold, then Owens/Jado attacking as the ref it distracted, over & over again. Eventually Ospreay hit his handspring wheel kick, ton of forearms, standing shooting star for 2, Robinson Special, looked for Oscutter, but Fale threw the ref into Ospreay who tumbled to the floor & you can guess what happened from there. Owens & Jado tried to attack, Ospreay avoided it, but walked into a Fale Grenade, but gets 2 due to how groggy the ref was. Wheel Kick caught Fale flush on the chops, Hidden Blade, Oscutter, but Owens pulls the ref out before he can get a 3. Jado with the kendo stick for the 4th time, gets hit, Owens attacks & hits a Package Piledriver, Fale covers, Red Shoes appears out of nowhere, goes to count 1…2…stops counting, flips Fale off and DQ’s him. Ugh, this match sucked majorly, poor Ospreay being involved in a match like this, he did nothing wrong. No, that’s not favoritism; it’s that he had tons of interference & Fale did rest holds 95% of the time, then the shit finish. I don’t want to talk about it (or Fale) anymore. 9 minute match that legit felt like 20. Ospreay vs Sabre up next thankfully.
EVIL vs. Zack Sabre Jr. I’ve never wanted to see some awesome mat wrestling/counters than I did after that previous match. I’m not going deep into the description in this one, just know that Sabre did Sabre things, mat wrestling & submission attempts aplenty, but before he could be in control for longer than 2-3 minutes, EVIL would counter & cut off the momentum. He hit a full Bronco Buster in the corner, but how the hell he didn’t break Zack’s nose with his crotch is beyond me (that’s something I didn’t expect to write in this match, a Yano match maybe, but not this one). Scorpion Deathlock by EVIL is countered into a Triangle by Zack, but EVIL powerbombs out of it. Sabre then sunk in a modified Scorpion before EVIL got the ropes. Ego Trip off the apron on the floor has both men down, EVIL clutching his leg. EVIL tried his spot where he’d throw his opponents leg to the ref, then hit a superkick, but Zack caught it into a heel hook. EVIL turned it into a modified Scorpion of his own, but Zack got the ropes, that was great! They trade an exchange, with EVIL turning Zack inside out with a lariat, then EVIL signals for the end, Zack counters with a European Clutch for 2. Fisherman’s Buster avoided as Zack hits a PK, then another 1…2…KICK OUT. Zack counters a lariat into “Hurrah! Another Year, Surely This One Will Be Better Than the Last; The Inexorable March of Progress Will Lead Us All to Happiness” (I just wanted to type that out at least once this tournament), but EVIL countered into Darkness Falls, ultimately planting Zack with Everything Is EVIL for the 1…2…3! This was an excellent wrestling match filled with counters. I feel bad for ZSJ, he only has 2 points, but that shows you how loaded this block is.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. SANADA Crowd was surprisingly almost fully behind SANADA in this one. They threw boots at the same time & caught them. Slowly went to put them down like gentlemen, but SANADA took his leg out & sunk in a Paradise Lock. SANADA hits a dropkick to the keister and it’s from there that SANADA tries to wear Tana down. Tana is really selling the knee, missed a dropkick, but SANADA missed a moonsault. Tana with the flying forearm (not much spring to it though), he hits his somersault senton for 2. We eventually go to the floor where SANADA hits a crossbody out there, back inside, looks for Skull End, but Tana hits 2 Twist & Shouts, but SANADA cuts off a 3rd, hangs Tana in the ropes & hits an Ego Trip. SANADA couldn’t maintain control as Tana quickly fired back with a Sling Blade, looked for High Fly Flow, but couldn’t connect (still hasn’t hit a proper one this tournament). SANADA looked for a moonsault, but he too missed. Tana looked for a tilt a whirl, but SANADA floated right into Skull End, Tana with an inside cradle 1…2…KICK OUT! Roll up with a bridge gets another 2, but falls back into Skull End again at the 15 minute call. Tana counters into his own Skull End, SANADA floats over into it, Tana floats over & sort of turns it into the wonkiest looking Destino I’ve seen. Both slowly get up & we have a forearm battle, Tana ducks one into a Dragon Suplex 1…2…KICK OUT! Tana goes to the top & hits a crossbody High Fly Flow, signals for another & finally hits a proper HIGH…FLY…FLOW for the 1…2…3!! Much slower paced match that you’d expect, but I totally dug it, Tana has been through wars in his career & SANADA as well, so while this match still kept a good pace, I was happy it wasn’t big move after big move, very good story & very good selling. This will be one of those hidden gems of the tournament, but one you won’t hear much about due to how friggin great this G1 has been.
Kazuchika Okada vs. KENTA Battle of the undefeated in this Block as during the early feeling out process, Kevin Kelly points out that Okada is tied with Masahiro Chono for 10 straight G1 matches without a defeat (they can’t say wins since the Tanahashi match last year went to a Draw). They show respect for the first 5 minutes until KENTA slaps Okada as he faked a clean break in the ropes. KENTA took over with kicks, then posted Okada on the floor as KENTA is already toying with his opponent. Neck crank/eye gouge, then head scissors applied as Okada gets the ropes & KENTA waits to break til the last second. Stiff kicks to the chest wake up Okada, KENTA dared him to hit him, but baited him in & brought Okada down with another neck crank. Okada tries to fight back, tries for an Air Raid Crash, KENTA gets out & hits a powerslam. KENTA looks for a strike combination, but Okada hits a flapjack. They trade forearms & paint brushes before KENTA kicks him in the gut, but Okada dropkicks him to the floor. Big boot sends KENTA over the barricade, Okada looked for the draping DDT off it, but KENTA hangs him up instead with a leaping double stomp off the apron onto Okada’s neck! Okada breaks the count at 18 but rolls into a dropkick. KENTA can’t follow up & eats a shotgun dropkick, as Okada followed with a KENTA-esque stalling dropkick in the corner! Okada looks for a top rope elbow, but KENTA cuts him off, slaps Okada so hard you see sweat pop, they tease a superplex, but Okada leaps for an elbow, but falls right into Game Over (Yes Lock)!! Okada struggles, but gets his foot on the rope, as he slowly gets up; KENTA hits multiple Psycho Knees for multiple 2 counts. KENTA hits a picture perfect top rope double stomp for 1…2…KICK OUT! KENTA tries to power Okada up into a GTS, almost hits it, but Okada blocks the knee & hits a dropkick to the neck, then a proper one. Tombstone by Okada, looks for Rainmaker, KENTA ducks into a discus lariat as both are down. They trade forearms on their knees at the 25 minute call, then slowly raise to their feet to continue the battle. KENTA starts SLAPPING THE SHIT out of Okada, tries for a PK, but Okada pops up with a dropkick! KENTA desperately looks for GTS, but Okada reverses into a spinning Tombstone! Wrist is clutched RAINMAKERRRRR for the 1…2…3!! My goodness, what a great main event. Favorite KENTA match of the tournament thus far, he plays the pissed heel so well and Okada is Okada, the best.
A Block Standings 10 points – Kazuchika Okada 8 points – KENTA 6 points – Kota Ibushi, EVIL, Hiroshi Tanahashi 4 points – Lance Archer, Will Ospreay 2 points - Bad Luck Fale, SANADA, Zack Sabre Jr.
B Block Standings 8 points – Jon Moxley 6 points –Juice Robinson 4 points – Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano, Shingo Takagi, Taichi, Tetsuya Naito 2 points - Hirooki Goto, Jeff Cobb, Jay White
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 28, 2019 6:37:16 GMT -6
Moxley-Naito was pretty solid. Same with Ishii-Juice. The rest was just there.
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Post by randomone on Jul 28, 2019 11:39:24 GMT -6
Night 10 Hirooki Goto vs. Toru Yano Yano got 2 roll ups, untied the buckle, sent Goto into it, tried for a low blow mule kick, but Goto blocked it & wrapped up Yano for the 3. That’s literally it.
Juice Robinson vs. Tomohiro Ishii This luckily didn’t go 1 minute. Like all the other Ishii G1 matches, this started off hot, trading shots, Juice then started to slap Ishii in the face “c’mon motherfucker” which only pissed Ishii off, who fired back with chops & kicks. Juice tried multiple headbutts, but Ishii no sold it. Ishii charged, but got planted with a spinebuster, then after a back & forth Juice hit a huge full nelson bomb for 2. Ishii is clutching his arm, but Juice continues the attack with headbutts (these have an effect), tries for a frankensteiner off the 2nd rope, but Ishii held on, Juice crashed & Ishii hits a knee drop, then backdrop suplex for 2. Violence Party in the corner by Ishii as the ref almost stops it, but Juice fights back & we have an insane chop battle. Juice chopped Ishii in the throat, then hit a cannonball. Juice hits a huge superplex, ISHII NO SELLS IT, Ishii hits a snap powerslam, JUICE NO SELLS IT, Leg Lariat, ISHII NO SELLS, release German, JUICE POPS UP and both collapse at the same it! CRAZY SEQUENCE! Forearm battle ends with a Juice Box that dropped Ishii right on his head with the impact! Pulp Friction blocked, Brainbuster blocked, Pulp Friction blocked, JUICE NO SELLS A HEADBUTT & LARIAT then lariats Ishii down, then a powerbomb 1…2…KICK OUT! Ishii avoids Pulp Friction & murders Juice with a lariat, JUICE NO SELLS AGAIN, but Ishii hits an enzugiri to drop him. ISHII NO SELLS A LARIAT then hits a violent no hands headbutt & turned Juice inside out with a lariat. Vertical Drop Brainbuster was countered into a Jackhammer by Juice. Pulp Friction blocked into a Tiger Suplex, Sliding D 1…2…KICK OUT!! Ishii hits the Vertical Drop Brainbuster for the 1…2…3!! Holy shit that match ruled, that could be my favorite NJPW match of Juice Robinson’s. Ishii usually no sells moves, so having Juice do that I was totally fine with. This was a battle.
Jeff Cobb vs. Taichi After the previous match, last thing I need is Taichi stalling & bullshit to bring me down, but that’s what we got. He did his typical junk, throwing Miho in the way, hitting Cobb with weapons as Kanemaru took the ref & a brawl on the floor. Crowd is dead silent for all of this. Cobb throws some forearms & muscles Taichi up with a suplex for 2. They traded back & forth counters of kicks & a Tour of the Islands attempt, but Taichi lays Cobb out with a lariat. He couldn’t follow up as Cobb hits rolling gutwrenches then a piledriver at the 10 minute mark. Cobb made the cover and Taichi only got his elbow up yet Red Shoes stopped counting (the lamest kick out I’ve ever seen). Tour of the Islands blocked into a small package for 2, Axe Bomber to the neck & jump kick by Taichi drops both. Cobb destroys him with a thrust kick, avoids Red Shoes getting thrown into him, drops Taichi, standing moonsault, Tour of the Islands for the 3. Had half the match not been typical Taichi bullshit and they’d been able to actually wrestle more, then I would’ve liked this I’m sure. But when you start with all that crap, it’s difficult to get into it.
Shingo Takagi vs. Jay White It’s weird, this started off your usual Switchblade match with his shenanigans, a carbon copy of every friggin Jay White G1 match, then all of a sudden, it hit a switch & picked up majorly and became pretty damn great. After the nonsense of stalling & outside stuff, these two just started throwing forearms to the point where Jay collapsed & was almost happy to do so. He avoided a Pumping Bomber by simply collapsing & smiling at Shingo, who hit a massive wheelbarrow suplex then a Noshigami as a counter to Blade Runner, despite White trying to get out. Gedo tripped the leg before a Pumping Bomber can be thrown, Shingo went again and the match just stopped momentarily as I think someone had to have been out of position as White fell into the corner and Shingo & Red Shoes just stared at each other. Anyways, White avoided Last of the Dragon by grabbing Red Shoes, Gedo in and gets ONE PUNCH KO’D BY SHINGO! He drops Jay with Made in Japan for 1…2…KICK OUT! They trade a bunch of counters until White hits two sleeper suplexes, then almost a wrist clutch brainbuster followed by Blade Runner for 3. I get Switchblade has to do his heel stuff, but man, once his matches get going, I dig it. Shingo was awesome in this one as well.
Tetsuya Naito vs. Jon Moxley Naito took what felt like 45 minutes to take off his gear before the bell. Mox didn’t have time for that or Naito’s tranquillo pose and stalling (3rd match in a row we start with stalling, which I don’t like). They both bait the other into the ring, but ultimately start brawling outside into the crowd. Back ringside Naito gets posted and MOXLEY DOES THE TRANQUILLO POSE! Mox grounds Naito, who tries to hit a flying forearm, but Mox turned it into a Uranage. Mox gets some chairs, tries to Pillmanized Naito’s leg, but the ref took the chair before he could do it. With the ref turned, Naito threw a chair to Mox & dropkicked it in his face. Naito sits Mox down in a chair at the entrance way, sprints down the entire ramp & nails a leaping kick. Back inside, Combinacion, Naito spits in Mox’s face and that wakes Mox up, who takes the fight to Naito in the corner. Butterfly Suplex off the top gets Mox 2 as he looks for a Regal Knee, Naito avoids & hits a spinning DDT off the ropes for 2. Wild forearm battle turns to jabs, Mox blocks an enzugiri, bites Naito, who hits a flying forearm & a top rope rana (Mox slipped off the ropes & Naito pretty much spiked himself, which was fucking sickening to see, something commentary just barely mentioned, it was gross). Destino attempt blocked into a discus lariat turning Naito inside out. Mox hits his Headlock Driver and a Regal Knee for 1…2…KICK OUT! 15 minute call, Death Rider countered as Naito bites Mox, then Mox bites back, Naito with an enzugiri, then a weird looking Destino for 1…2…KICK OUT! Naito looks for Destino again, but Mox gets out & hits Death Rider for 1…2…KICK OUT! Mox can’t believe it, so he plants him with another Death Rider for the 1…2…3!! Wish this match went longer, but it could very well happen again. It wasn’t a tournament stealer, but I dug watching these guys fight. Like I said with the last Moxley match, the wheels are going to come off sooner than later, Yano is next for him and that could be what starts it.
A Block Standings 10 points – Kazuchika Okada 8 points – KENTA 6 points – Kota Ibushi, EVIL, Hiroshi Tanahashi 4 points – Lance Archer, Will Ospreay 2 points - Bad Luck Fale, SANADA, Zack Sabre Jr.
B Block Standings 10 points – Jon Moxley 8 points – 6 points –Juice Robinson, Tomohiro Ishii 4 points – Toru Yano, Shingo Takagi, Taichi, Tetsuya Naito, Hirooki Goto, Jeff Cobb, Jay White
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Post by randomone on Jul 30, 2019 9:00:51 GMT -6
Night 11 Kota Ibushi vs. Bad Luck Fale I don’t have the energy to type out a full Fale match. It’s what you expected. Tease a countout, interference, rest holds, dominate most the match, Ibushi fights back briefly, more interference, ref stops said interference, Ibushi hits his knees & wins it. It’s consistently the most annoying match of the G1, no matter who his opponent is. Ibushi luckily wins and we can just move on.
Will Ospreay vs. Zack Sabre Jr. Don’t know if you’re aware, but these two are amazing wrestlers. Zack targeted the neck almost immediately and worked it with cranks, cravats, you name it. Whenever Ospreay went for a flashy move, Zack knows him so well, he avoided it & locked in a neck submission until Ospreay got the ropes. This is a case where these aren’t rest holds, they have a purpose. Ospreay got out of a strangle hold & hit his handspring wheel kick, then a Sasuke Special to the floor. Back inside, Pip Pip Cheerio, Robinson Special, but ZSJ avoided Oscutter. They trade an insane amount of counters before Ospreay hits a hook kick that crumbles Zack. They counter their finishers, Ospreay had actually sort of did the Bret/Piper kick out/pin sleeper spot, but ref never counted strangely. Oscutter connects for 1…2…KICK OUT! Ospreay didn’t get all of a hook kick, looks for Hidden Blade, misses, Zack with a weird ass submission, but Ospreay literally falls into the ropes. Zack got a guillotine, but Ospreay turned it into a brainbuster. Storm Breaker countered into a European Clutch 1…2…KICK OUT! PK by Sabre, he went to the corner, but got cut off with Cheeky Nandos kick, then Ospreay hit Reverse Bloody Sunday for 2. To the top, Osperay does a Shooting Star INTO A TRIANGLE!! Sabre rolls him to the center of the ring, but Ospreay powers him up into a spinning powerbomb for 2! To the top again, Ospreay connects with a Shooting Star 1…2…NO!! Hook Kick, Storm Breaker attempt, Sabre counters & sinks in the Octopus Hold! He cranks back badly on the arm and Ospreay collapses & taps! I love it whenever these two wrestle, these matches fly by & always tell a fantastic story.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Lance Archer Archer attacked immediately, then did his best Chuck Taylor impression & taunted a child ringside so badly he was on the verge of tears. I think he screamed at the child that it was his fault Okada was getting beat up by Archer. I love you Lance Archer. Back inside after the beating, Archer does the Rainmaker pose, goes for his rope walk & does a MOONSAULT, but only gets 2. Okada would fight back, back elbow & sliding dropkick sends Archer to the floor and he hits a pescado. DDT back inside, but only gets 1, as he bodyslams Archer down & goes for his top rope elbow, connects. Rainmaker pose was cut off into the EBD Claw, Okada falls into the ropes, so Archer hits the Pounce. Blackout avoided, Okada wrist clutch & hits some short arm Rainmakers, but Archer decapitates Okada with a lariat 1…2…KICK OUT! Massive chokeslam 1…2…KICK OUT! Blackout connects 1…2…foot on the ropes! Okada throws a desperation dropkick, but Archer stays in control, looking for a superplex, but Okada fights out & hits his huge missile dropkick. Archer floats over a Tombstone, looks for Blackout, spinning Rainmaker by Okada, but ARCHER DOESN’T GO DOWN!! EBD Claw attempt, Okada blocks it & hits RAINMAKERRRRRRR for 1…2…3!! After the match, Okada went & shook the hand of the young fan Archer almost made cry. “It wasn’t a victory as much as it was survival.” Perfectly said as Archer more than held his own with Okada and he continues to be fucking great in this G1. Okada remains undefeated. He hasn’t lost in 12 G1 matches. He only has SANADA, EVIL & Ibushi left.
I predict Okada loses to either SANADA or EVIL, beats the other one, then Ibushi wins over Sabre & Tanahashi, setting the stage for Okada (14 points) vs Ibushi (12 points) on the final night of A Block and Ibushi wins, they tie at 14 points, but Ibushi has the tiebreaker.
KENTA vs. SANADA So KENTA played the no mercy heel well early on as he hit a drop toehold into the guardrail & DDT’d SANADA on the floor, back inside he’d wear down his opponent as the crowd backed SANADA. That’d really be the story as SANADA would get something going, but KENTA almost immediately cut him off. He mocked the crowd to cheer SANADA, then hit his stalling corner dropkick & top rope double stomp for a 2 count. SANADA tried fighting back, but KENTA pulled him down with the Game Over (Yes Lock) in the center of the ring. SANADA got the ropes & hit a desperation TKO, but couldn’t hit the moonsault to follow. Brutal striking battle with slaps, forearms & kicks aplenty, SANADA ducked a kick, got Skull End, but KENTA rolls out & sinks in a sleeper. PK blocked, but KENTA hits multiple palm strikes, then a Psycho Knee 1…2…KICK OUT! SANADA wiggles out of GTS, tries for Skull End; KENTA gets free, looks for GTS, but SANADA with Skull End! KENTA fades, SANADA lets go & hits his moonsault for 1…2…3!! I liked the story they went for as KENTA dominated a majority of this match, SANADA could never strong together much offense, but he was able to counter enough to connect with his big moves to win it. SANADA pretty much spoiled KENTA’s G1 and they put over how SANADA could do the same ultimately for Okada.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL Back & forth early as EVIL sends Tana to the floor (too many matches have done this tonight for my liking), but it’s EVIL, so I get it. He has to do his chair swing with a chair wrapped around his opponent’s neck, which he did. Back inside and EVIL wisely targets the knee, but Tana fights back after EVIL missed a senton. Tana, however, hit his somersault senton off the second for 2. Tana with a dragon screw, but ended up skinning the cat right into a German suplex by EVIL, who tried for a lariat follow up, but Tana hit his Sling Blade. EVIL rolls to the floor & Tana hits a top rope High Fly Flow crossbody out there, but he’s clutching his knee, screaming in pain. EVIL hit a young lion (Umino) assisted Magic Killer and both made the count at 19. Back inside, EVIL can’t capitalize as Tana is back on the attack, trying to sink in a Cloverleaf, but EVIL got free. Tana went for another Sling Blade, but EVIL destroyed him with a lariat as both are down at 15 minutes. EVIL nails a superplex for a 2 count, hits Darkness Falls for 2, looks for Everything is EVIL, but Tana counters with 3 Twist & Shouts and a Sling Blade 1…2…KICK OUT! Tana goes to end it with High Fly Flow, but EVIL gets his knees up, roll up 1…2…NO!! Forearm battle starts up at the 20 minute call, EVIL throws a chop, Tana with a slap, EVIL starches Tana with a lariat 1…2…KICK OUT! EVIL absolutely murders Tana with another lariat for 1…2…NO! EVIL knows what he has to do, signals for Everything is EVIL, no, series of reversals, big headbutt by EVIL as Tana collapses, he goes for his finisher again, but Tana out into Dragon Suplex 1…2…KICK OUT BY EVIL! Tana to the top, High Fly Flow crossbody, top again for a proper HIGH…FLY…FLOW for the 1…2…3!! That was a fire final 5 minutes, but it definitely came off as a match that almost sets the stage for the rest of both mans tournament. Tanahashi’s knee took a thrashing in this match and it could certainly play a role in his final 3 matches. Rocky questions just how many more times Tanahashi can miss (or hit) the High Fly Flow on his knee.
A Block Standings 12 points – Kazuchika Okada 10 points – 8 points – KENTA, Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi 6 points –EVIL
Out of Contention 4 points – Lance Archer, Will Ospreay, Zack Sabre Jr., SANADA 2 points - Bad Luck Fale
B Block Standings 10 points – Jon Moxley 8 points – 6 points –Juice Robinson, Tomohiro Ishii 4 points – Toru Yano, Shingo Takagi, Taichi, Tetsuya Naito, Hirooki Goto, Jeff Cobb, Jay White
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Post by randomone on Aug 1, 2019 9:00:36 GMT -6
Night 12 Jeff Cobb vs. Shingo Takagi Happy Kevin Kelly pointed out this was 2/3 of the finals of last year’s PWG BOLA Finals as these two & Bandido had a phenomenal 3 way. Shingo wisely targeted the leg early, so when Cobb hit a swinging sidewalk slam & standing moonsault, Cobb couldn’t follow up due to the damaged knee. This allowed Shingo to get back into it with a suplex & some clotheslines in the corner, as Shingo looked for & eventually hit a massive superplex. They trade T-Bone Suplexes, but Shingo is able to hit a Noshigami & Pumping Bomber, but can’t hit Made in Japan as Cobb hits a lariat of his own. Shingo avoids a powerbomb, tried for a rana, but Cobb counters into a spinning powerbomb for 2. Tour of the Islands attempt is stopped as Shingo collapses, but he’s able to hit Cobb with a crucifix bomb, then Made in Japan for 1…2…KICK OUT! They counter finisher attempts, until its Cobb that connects with Tour of the Islands for 3. This was a really fun sprint, one however, that eliminates Shingo from the G1.
Toru Yano vs. Jon Moxley Yano tried to offer Mox his CHAOS DVD along with 10 thousand yen, but Mox kicked it away & punched Yano in the face. To the floor & Yano hits an atomic drop, tried to tape Mox to the guardrail, but Mox taped him up instead. Yano got free at the 17 count, back inside & we have a turnbuckle battle as both untied their respective buckles & start swinging. Ref tried to get Mox’s pad away from him, low blow/roll up by Yano 1…2…KICK OUT! Mox sets a table up outside, as Mox charged to put Yano through it, Yano shoved Shota Umino in front of him, low blowed both & TAPED MOX’S LEG TO UMINO’S!! Yano beats the count, but Moxley can’t do the 3 legged race in time & loses by countout! This was actually a lot of fun & Mox played the comedy role well with Yano. Loved the finish. Mox’s first G1 loss.
Juice Robinson vs. Tetsuya Naito So we had a “taunt off” to start and that winded up going to the floor where Naito tried for a Tornado DDT off the apron, but caught absolutely none of it, so he just dropkicked Juice in the face & threw him into the guard rail. Back inside, combinacion by Naito, who goes for the neck, then did Juice-like jabs, but Juice fought back, only to get hit with a flying forearm. Juice hit a full nelson bomb, ultimately hitting a second rope rana & big time powerbomb for 2. Pulp Friction blocked, Hand of God blocked, Naito with a huge DDT, then hits poison rana & Destino for 1…2…KICK OUT! Naito tried to follow up, but Juice hits a desperation Juice Box as both men are down and Naito’s ear is bleeding badly. Hand of God blocked into a wheel kick, Destino blocked, Hand of God & lariat that turns Naito inside out for 1…2…KICK OUT! Juice signaled for Pulp Friction, but Naito gets free & drives Juice down with a brainbuster 1…2…KICK OUT! Naito plants Juice with another Destino for 1…2…3! This was fun, I just wish it went a lot longer as these two seemed to be hitting another gear as it ended. As much as I wanted Juice to win here, Naito had to win in order for the B Block to come down to what I predicted and that’s Naito vs Switchblade to determine who wins it.
Taichi vs. Jay White This was the one match in this B Block I was dreading the most. Both guys stalling/heel antics outside have watered down almost every single one of their matches in this G1 and now that they wrestle each other, it made the first 5 minutes super boring. “When Taichi is properly motivated, we see incredible skill” truer words have never been spoken Kevin Kelly, unfortunately we haven’t seen it that much in this tournament. They throw some kicks & chops, Taichi looked for his thrust kick, but White plays dead & hits a DDT and spinning neckbreaker for 2. Axe Bomber countered into a Uranage, then Kiwi Crusher connects, but Taichi again out at 2. Back suplex by White, but Taichi pops up & hits a Back Drop Driver to give Taichi time to recover. Gedo & Kanemaru distract Red Shoes, Taichi hits a low blow, Gedo Clutch 1…2…Gedo pulls the ref out. Gedo takes the knucks out, hits Kanemaru with them, Taichi takes out Gedo, Switchblade hits a low blow, Kanemaru mists White, Last Ride by Taichi 1…2…KICK OUT (catch all that?). Black Mephisto blocked, Blade Runner blocked, sleeper suplex by White who hits a follow up brainbuster, then Blade Runner 1…2…3! My pick is still alive and Taichi has officially been eliminated.
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Hirooki Goto It’s pointed out both have neck & arm troubles, but you wouldn’t know it, as these two are throwing everything behind each chop early on. Goto starts no selling strikes, including Ishii headbutts to the neck, so he took Ishii down with a lariat. Ishii avoids a back suplex & connects with one of his own before going back to chops. They exchange Violence Parties in the corner, then go to the center of the ring to throw about 30-40 forearms A PIECE until Goto gets the best of it, hits the ropes, but Ishii hits a snap powerslam. Goto answers with a draping neckbreaker that drops Ishii on his head. To the corner we go and Goto looked for a Code Red off the ropes & got I’d say 20% of it. Ishii ultimately pops up, they hit some lariats, but Ishii hits a massive one turning Goto inside out as both men are down. Ishii blocked Ushigoroshi, hits a powerbomb & sliding D, went for the brainbuster, but Goto got out & hit a neckbreaker, then finally hit Ushigoroshi at the 15 minute mark. Goto lights up Ishii with kicks, but Ishii no sells like only Ishii can & throws some violent headbutts. Goto is clutching his head, but is able to connect with a reverse GTR, standing enzugiri by Ishii, Goto answers with a DVD & a proper GTR for the 1…2…3!! This match was a fucking war, I loved it. So many guys are still in this B Block. If you look though, all things considered, Ishii has the easiest road for the guys who have 6 points still. He has Yano, Shingo & Taichi left. I’m sticking with my Switchblade pick, but if Ishii wins this block as a shock, I won’t be upset in the slightest, dude deserves it.
A Block Standings 12 points – Kazuchika Okada 10 points – 8 points – KENTA, Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi 6 points –EVIL
Out of Contention 4 points – Lance Archer, Will Ospreay, Zack Sabre Jr., SANADA 2 points - Bad Luck Fale
B Block Standings 10 points – Jon Moxley 8 points – 6 points –Juice Robinson, Tomohiro Ishii, Jeff Cobb, Toru Yano, Tetsuya Naito, Jay White, Hirooki Goto
Out of Contention 4 points – Shingo Takagi, Taichi
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Post by randomone on Aug 1, 2019 11:48:49 GMT -6
Here are my B Block predictions:
Moxley beats Goto, but loses to Switchblade & Juice and ends with 12 points Switchblade beats Mox, Juice & Naito and ends with 12 points Naito beats Shingo & Cobb, but loses to Switchblade in the final match of B Block
So Juice beating Moxley on the last night of B Block will spoil his chances of getting 14 points and winning the block. In doing so, Switchblade can beat Naito and win with 12 points, having the tiebreaker over Moxley.
It's really fun to come up with scenarios on how your final predictions could come to fruition. Ibushi vs Switchblade is what I'm sticking with.
Who do you guys think are winning the blocks & finals?
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Post by randomone on Aug 3, 2019 11:39:31 GMT -6
I just realized my G1 pick to win it all is in the same block as the World Champion. I don't remember a time we've ever gotten the final match of A Block being the same match as the main event of Wrestle Kingdom. So I'm questioning my Ibushi pick.
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Post by randomone on Aug 3, 2019 11:40:41 GMT -6
Night 13 KENTA vs. Bad Luck Fale Kendo shot from Jado early as Fale took the fight to the floor. KENTA slaps Fale back inside, but Fale drops him with one slap in return. KENTA guillotines Fale over the top & hits a top rope clothesline, then targets the knee. Shotgun dropkick sends Fale to the corner, then stalling dropkick followed by a double stomp off the top for a 2 count. GTS attempt, but Fale is way too big, letting Fale hit a lariat for 2 of his own. Chase Owens took the ref, Jado’s kendo shot was blocked, but Fale hit a schoolboy on KENTA for the 1…2…3. Not going to lie, seeing a 350 pounder schoolboy a 180 pound guy was a sight to see. This was the least boring Fale match since the Sabre one.
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Lance Archer These two had a really fun back & forth of counters early with Zack having to work much harder to get the big man down, but Archer is so agile that it threw ZSJ off his game. Archer went for his twisting press, but Sabre avoided it & went for the leg. ZSJ couldn’t get a submission applied for long before Archer would shake him off. Archer looked for the Pounce, but Sabre caught him in mid air with a guillotine! Archer went for his rope walk, but got crotched, Zack tried for a kimura & guillotine on the top rope, but Archer got free & did a high cross body off the second for 2. ZSJ sinks in a triangle, then about 8 submissions at once, but Archer used his height to get a foot on the rope. Zack went for a PK, but Archer blocked & hit a massive scoop powerbomb for 2. Zack avoids the EBD Claw & sinks in the Octopus Hold, EBD Claw attempt again, Zack with a triangle, let’s go, charges & eats a Black Hole Slam for 2. Archer starches Zack with a right & hits a brutal chokeslam for 1…2…pulls Zack up? Archer wants Blackout, Sabre wiggles into a rear naked choke, gets a roll up for 1…2…3!! Despite both being mathematically eliminated, this was a fun clash of styles.
Will Ospreay vs. EVIL Spiderman flip/pose early for Ospreay as a pissed EVIL had the biggest struggle ever trying to slide a chair in the ring (it hilariously kept popping open). Ultimately he wrapped the chair around Ospreay’s head & swung for the fences with another. EVIL controlled the match from there until Ospreay fired back with Pip Pip Cheerio for 2. EVIL avoided the Robinson Special, took back over & targeted the neck, tried for a superplex, but Ospreay got out, EVIL threw the ref in front of him, tried for Magic Killer, but Ospreay got free & hit his handspring wheel kick that sent EVIL outside. Sasuke Special hit perfectly, back inside Ospreay hit the tiger wall kick, only to get floored with a lariat. Both men are down as the crowd gets into it, they have a stiff forearm exchange until EVIL went for Darkness Falls, Ospreay fights out with Kawada Kicks, but EVIL hits Darkness Falls for 1…2…KICK OUT! Everything Is…No, Ospreay floats over into a powerbomb 1…2…KICK OUT! Hook kick flush by Ospreay, signals for Hidden Blade, EVIL ducks, Ospreay with a head kick, they hit dueling lariats, EVIL headbutts him down, charges for a lariat right into an Ospreay standing Spanish Fly, then an Oscutter for 1…2…NO!! Holy shit what a sequence! EVIL slides out of Storm Breaker, tries for a German, Ospreay lands on his feet, Robinson Special! Super Oscutter is blocked as EVIL hits multiple half & half suplexes, then murders Ospreay with a lariat (Will landed right on his neck, which was super gross) for 1…2…KICK OUT! EVIL plants Ospreay with Everything…Is…EVIL for the 1…2…3! EVIL stays alive before his showdown next with Okada, while Ospreay, despite being out of contention, is still putting on insane matches. This match was great.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi Rematch of last year’s G1 Finals where Tana won a classic. If I told you Tana had a bad knee & Ibushi had a bad ankle, you’d be even more blown away by the fast paced opening sequence these two did. It slowed down after that with Tana targeting the ankle, but Ibushi fought back with a flying kick. Whenever Ibushi got something going, Tana grounded him with dragon screws & a Cloverleaf in the center of the ring. Ibushi got the ropes, Tana with a dragon screw again, looked for a High Fly Flow, but Ibushi popped up & hit a top rope rana!! Tana looked for a dropkick to the knee, but Ibushi hit a double stomp to the bad shoulder and a brutal lawn dart. From there Ibushi hit his deadlift German from the apron back into the ring & luckily it wasn’t as violent as we’ve seen before for a 2 count. Both men slowly rise & both start throwing violent slaps. Both man is just taking it! I remember this happening last year in their G1 Finals! Ibushi with the Last Ride for 2, looks for Kamigoye, but Tana hits multiple Twist & Shouts, then Slingblade for 1…2..KICK OUT! Tana goes up top, crossbody High Fly Flow, goes for a proper one, but Ibushi moves & Tana crashes and burns! Tana is clutching his knee as Ibushi hits a Bomaye 1…2…KICK OUT! Kamigoye attempt is countered into a roll up for Tana, but he gets 2. Ibushi threw multiple high kicks & Tana crumbled to the mat. Ibushi hits a Kamigoye for 1…2…3!!! This was a 15 minute classic. If you saw their G1 Climax Final last year, you know how much this match meant to Ibushi. Post match Ibushi clutched Tana’s hand as you can hear Tana saying something to Ibushi, this was super emotional as Ibushi is almost in tears. Everything about this match was amazing. Has there been better overall matches (Okada/Ospreay, Ishii/Moxley, Ospreay/Ibushi), yes, but in terms of overall emotion, you won’t find a better one this tournament. It’s in my Top 5 matches of the tournament thus far for that very reason.
Kazuchika Okada vs. SANADA These two know each other so well that the pace they’re able to set is insane. You can tell this one is going long as we get short bursts of offense & counters before it slows down momentarily. The first time someone got sent to the floor was Okada dropkicked SANADA off the ropes & did his big boot over the guardrail. Okada followed with the draping DDT off the rail & SANADA, clutching his neck, ultimately broke the count at 15. With the crowd cheering on SANADA, Okada started heeling it up, trying a boot on the chest pin, but Red Shoes wouldn’t count. SANADA went for the leg, did his leapfrog dropkick & wild pescado. Paradise Lock applied as SANADA gets the crowd going before dropkicking Okada in the ass for a 2 count. SANADA didn’t stay in control long as Okada hit a flapjack, tried for his dropkick, but SANADA hit one, tried for a springboard, but Okada caught him with an Air Raid Crash, then his top rope elbow drop. Rainmaker pose, but SANADA countered the move into Skull End! Okada was able to turn it into a Tombstone, another Rainmaker attempt, SANADA counters into an Ego Trip. Both throw shots from their knees & Okada starts talking shit, daring SANADA to hit him & he does, dropping Okada with uppercuts, but as he charged, Okada hit dropkicks. They trade Rainmaker & Skull End attempts, Tombstone attempt, ending with SANADA hitting Tiger Suplex for 2! Insane back & forth sequence that was as SANADA hits a TKO for 2, looked for a top rope moonsault, Okada moved, but SANADA landed on his feet and hits a moonsault into Skull End, but Okada spins out, wrist clutch Rainmaker, maintains control & hits another! 25 minute mark as Okada looks for a proper spinning Rainmaker attempt is countered into a SANADA RAINMAKER!!
SANADA locks in Skull End & starts spinning, then locks a body scissors, Okada gets free of the neck hold, but SANADA maintains the body scissors & pulls him back into Skull End. Okada leaned back & almost got a flash pin. SANADA rolls & still has Skull End applied, but let’s go, looks for the moonsault, Okada with the knees up at the 28 minute mark! Skull End attempt again, but Okada got out & hit his trademark dropkick! Okada looks for Rainmaker, but SANADA got a pop up TKO! SANADA hits a moonsault, then again for the 1…2…3!! With 12 seconds left, SANADA hands Okada his first loss in the G1 and finally SANADA gets a win over Okada.
A Block Standings 12 points – Kazuchika Okada 10 points – Kota Ibushi 8 points – Hiroshi Tanahashi, EVIL
Out of Contention 8 points - KENTA 6 points – Zack Sabre Jr., SANADA 4 points – Lance Archer, Will Ospreay, Bad Luck Fale
B Block Standings 10 points – Jon Moxley 8 points – 6 points –Juice Robinson, Tomohiro Ishii, Jeff Cobb, Toru Yano, Tetsuya Naito, Jay White, Hirooki Goto
Out of Contention 4 points – Shingo Takagi, Taichi
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Post by randomone on Aug 4, 2019 8:47:51 GMT -6
Night 14 Tomohiro Ishii vs. Toru Yano Yano sent Ishii into 2 exposed buckles & got some roll ups for nearfalls early, then Yano bailed to the ramp, sat in a chair and dared Ishii to come fight him. Ishii just stared at him & Yano was forced to sprint to break the count at 19. Ishii throws chops, then we get a reversal spot ending with Ishii back first into the exposed corner. Yano starts talking shit & throws forearms, but they have no effect, so he rakes the eyes. Ishii snap powerslam as he taunts Yano, who Hulk’d up and we have a forearm battle THAT YANO WINS!! Ishii avoids a lariat & drops Yano with an overhead suplex, but Yano drop toeholds Ishii into the exposed corner for 1…2…KICK OUT! Yano with a lariat & belly to belly for 2, tries for a powerbomb, but Ishii forearms & headbutts out of it, then lariat for 2. They tried multiple low blow shots, but all were blocked, Ishii with a Sliding D, but blocked into a crucifix 1…2…KICK OUT! Yano with another roll up, but Ishii got out with an enzugiri, then Sliding D for 2. Ishii drops Yano with the vertical drop brainbuster for 1…2…3! If I told you Yano was having a 10 minute match, you’d be skeptical, but it’s with Ishii, so it was actually really awesome. This was the best Yano match of the tournament.
Juice Robinson vs. Taichi Zero patience for this kind of match, so I’m not boring you with it. Taichi won after what felt like 87 different interference spots and ref bumps. Taichi is eliminated from the G1, so I don’t care about his matches in this anymore. Juice still has Switchblade & Moxley left to wrestle, which mean so much more than this one, so moving on.
Hirooki Goto vs. Jeff Cobb Cobb sent Goto to the floor with a dropkick early, teased a dive, but thought better of it & instead opted for throwing Goto into the guardrail before going back inside. Goto hits a spinning lariat, spin kick in the corner, then suplex for 2. Lariats by both, then Cobb hits a Spin Cycle giving him time to recover. Cobb threw a chop to the corner & followed through with a lariat, which was cool. Samoan Drop then standing moonsault gets Cobb 2. They fight up in the corner & Cobb hits a deadlift superplex 1…2…NO! Both are moving slow as Cobb tried Tour of the Islands, but Goto hit Ushigoroshi instead. Forearm exchange that turns to kicks aplenty by Goto who hits reverse GTR for 2. Proper GTR can’t connect, Cobb counters with a superkick, but Goto answers with a belly to belly for another 2. Cobb blocked a mid kick & hits a snap German, Tour of the Islands countered into sort of an Attitude Adjustment (Goto was looking to Ushigoroshi), then hits a proper GTR for the 3 count. This wasn’t a blow away match, but it was just a flat out solid wrestling match. It’s refreshing having it follow an interference filled match.
Jon Moxley vs. Jay White Mox has zero time for Switchblade’s stalling, so he attacks immediately & sets up a table, but Gedo quickly grabbed it & bailed up the ramp. Back inside White threw a chop & pissed Mox off, so he hung Mox up throat first on the top rope & some snap DDTs. Blade Buster gets a 1 count as we go back to the floor & White throws Mox into the guardrail & posts him. Back inside, hard uppercuts to the corner that’s cut off by a Mox shotgun dropkick & suicide dive to the outside. We get a crowd brawl, then Mox gets a figure four using the post Bret Hart style. Mox with a Cloverleaf inside, then into an STF, but White got the ropes. White threw the ref in front of him, allowing Switchblade to hit a suplex in the corner, Saito suplex, Flatliner, deadlift German & Uranage for 2. Mox starts slapping the shit out of White & hits a release suplex for 2. Striking exchange that Mox wins, looks for the Regal Knee, but White plays dead & Gedo distracts him. White tried for Blade Runner, but Mox turns it into Death Rider 1…2…KICK OUT! He looked for another, but White grabs Red Shoes & fell to the ground with him. Gedo in with the knucks & Mox dares him to hit him, White low blow, Gedo knucks shot, Red Shoes miraculously recovers 1…2…KICK OUT! Blade Runner countered into a schoolboy for 2, then Mox murders White with a lariat, Regal Knee 1…2…KICK OUT! Death Rider attempt, Gedo up again & eats a Regal Knee, Switchblade up & hits two sleeper suplexes. Mox flips White off as he plants Mox with a Bloody Sunday, then Blade Runner for 1…2…3!! Too much Gedo for my liking, but they really needed to taint the win for White, which I get. Unlike Taichi, Switchblades interference actually means something & now Moxley has been pinned for the first time in New Japan, it’ll have an asterisk due to all the Gedo interference. My boy Switchblade is still alive! Juice Robinson becomes a potential super spoiler as his last two matches are with White & Moxley.
Tetsuya Naito vs. Shingo Takagi First ever meeting between the two LIJ running mates as we start with some solid ground work & counters with Naito showing rare respect with a fist bump off the stalemate, but Shingo wasn’t having it. We go to the floor, Naito teases a dive, but hits his Tranquillo pose as Shingo chucks a chair in & almost clips Naito in the head. Naito sits down & dares Shingo back in & hits a drop toehold into the chair before going on the attack. Naito tries for Combinacion, but Shingo caught him & we get some eye rakes/hair pulls, then Naito spits in Shingo’s face. Shingo sends Naito to the floor & the guardrail, then clear over it before posting Naito. DDT flush on the floor before hitting a slingshot knee back in the ring. Shingo slows the pace down with his offense, toying with Naito until Natio hit an atomic drop & snap rana. Naito connects with Cominacion this time, hits a neckbreaker for 1. Naito tried for his step up DDT, but Shingo counters into a pop up DVD. Dragon Spirit elbow gets Shingo 2, but he misses the sliding lariat follow & Naito hits an enzugiri & neckbreaker over the knee. Naito wants a corner rana, but Shingo slips out & hits Noshigami. Naito avoids multiple lariats, hits his step up swing DDT, looks for Gloria, Shingo out, Naito wheel kick & patented flying forearm, then hits Gloria proper 1…2…KICK OUT! Destino blocked, Poison Rana blocked & Shingo hits a powerbomb, then wheelbarrow German into the corner that absolutely murders Naito, man that was brutal. Stiff lariats in the corner as Naito crumbles (Rocky points out Naito’s soul left his body) and Shingo goes to the top with Naito on his shoulders. Naito, after a few tries, luckily fought it off with a Frankensteiner, then Poison Rana, tried Destino, but Shingo turns him inside out with a lariat at the 20 minute call!
Made in Japan blocked, so Shingo hits more lariats (the sound is insane) & a Saito suplex, only for Naito to answer with a violent Dragon Suplex. Naito tried his flying forearm, but Shingo catches him & powers into Made in Japan for 1…2…KICK OUT! Shingo called for & connects with a Pumping Bomber turning Naito inside out 1…2…KICK OUT! Shingo looks for Last of the Dragon, but Naito turns it into a spinning Destino!! Both are exhausted as they throw strikes while on the mat & hit headbutts. They slowly rise & Naito spits at Shingo, igniting another stiff striking exchange at the 25 minute call. Flurry of forearms by Shingo, Naito slaps the shit out of Shingo, who headbutts Naito down. Naito counters a suplex into a brainbuster for 2. Destino gets blocked as Shingo hits Pumping Bomber folding Naito up, looked for Last of the Dragon but Naito hits a Canadian Destroyer, Destino for 1…2…NO!!! Shingo will not die as Naito staggers up & hits another Destino at the 27 minute mark for 1…2…3!!! What an insane main event, one of the best of the tournament. This or the Mox/Ishii match is the best match of B Block so far.
A Block Standings 12 points – Kazuchika Okada 10 points – Kota Ibushi 8 points – EVIL
Out of Contention 8 points – KENTA, Hiroshi Tanahashi 6 points – Zack Sabre Jr., SANADA 4 points – Lance Archer, Will Ospreay, Bad Luck Fale
B Block Standings 10 points – Jon Moxley 8 points – Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto, Jay White, Tetsuya Naito 6 points –Juice Robinson, Toru Yano
Out of Contention 6 points – Taichi, Jeff Cobb 4 points – Shingo Takagi
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Post by randomone on Aug 7, 2019 11:46:50 GMT -6
Night 15 SANADA vs. Lance Archer Archer attacked at the ramp, but back inside SANADA almost got the Paradise Lock, Archer escaped & hit a spear off the apron to the floor. Chest first to the guard rail, then Archer rammed SANADA into the camera, tossed him back in & hit a Young Lion in the process. SANADA foolishly started a striking battle, but got nowhere, so he went for the legs only to get planted with a Black Hole Slam for 2. Weird spin splash out of the corner for another Archer 2, SANADA hit a pescado to the floor, springboard dropkick cut off with a chokeslam attempt, SANADA backflipped out, but got planted with a DDT for 2. Chokeslam connects for another 2, Archer tried to follow with a moonsault, but crashed, so SANADA went for one, but Archer got the knees up, roll up 1…2…NO! Super close as they trade Blackout & Skull End attempts, Pounce attempt avoided, as SANADA catches Archer with a flash 1…2…3!! Another really fun Archer match, he’s been able to tell a different story with every opponent he’s faced. His G1 performance is going to totally fly under the radar, but he’s been fantastic. SANADA is awesome, you knew this already.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale Feel bad Tanahashi is getting the short review, but its Fale, what do you expect? It’s the same shit, different opponent for Fale. Jado & Owens interfered, Fale did rest holds, what pissed me off was the finish. Tana got hit with a kendo stick as he went for High Fly Flow, Fale hit a splash, grenade, missed Bad Luck Fall, but got a backslide on Tana for the 3 count. I hated it. Pull this shit with SANADA in Fale’s last match; don’t stick Tanahashi in this spot. Moving on. Tanahashi luckily faces Ospreay on the final night of A Block.
Will Ospreay vs. KENTA Really wish this match had G1 implications, as this match lacked urgency I felt. Both hit slaps at the same time & high kicks at the same time, dropping each other, but KENTA up first with kicks, Ospreay with elbows, KENTA slaps the shit out of Ospreay & hits a draping DDT over the top & top rope clothesline. Ospreay sent super hard into every guardrail outside, then lights him up with kicks back inside. Ospreay tries throwing offense, but KENTA hits chops, kicks & knees to the midsection for 2. Ospreay hits a desperation Stundog Millionaire, but KENTA answers with a hanging DDT through the ropes. KENTA misses a top rope knee, so Ospreay hits Pip Pip Cheerio for 2. Storm Breaker avoided, but Ospreay hits his handspring wheel kick, looks for a Sasuke Special, but KENTA cuts him off hitting a FALCON ARROW ON THE APRON!! Ospreay in at 19 as he KENTA slipped off the top looking for a springboard, so he just throws forearms before hitting his stalling corner dropkick. Double stomp off the top 1…2…KICK OUT! Spinning back fist by KENTA, tiger wall dropkick by Ospreay, Psycho Knee by KENTA! PK blocked into a float over powerbomb as Ospreay looks for Shooting Star, but KENTA got the knees up & sinks in Game Over, but Ospreay got the ropes. Psycho knee again, looked for GTS, but Ospreay hit Oscutter 1…2…KICK OUT! Ospreay connects with Hidden Blade, then hits Storm Breaker for the 1…2…3!! I wanted them to have more time, but hopefully this is a match we’ll see again.
Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. The speed at which these two are countering each other with mat wrestling, submissions, pin attempts, is friggin crazy. After all that though, it slowed down quite a bit as Zack went for the ankle and Ibushi is screaming in pain. Zack toys with him until Ibushi hits a snap rana & mid kick, but Zack goes back after the ankle & uses the ropes to do it. Ibushi fights back with a striking combo, then did a moonsault double knees to the gut. Powerbomb attempt countered into a STF, but Ibushi gets free, then hits Zack with a wild lariat out of nowhere. Half nelson suplex, then Last Ride, but Ibushi couldn’t hit a Kamigoye, as Zack caught the leg & wrapped Ibushi up like a pretzel with a submission, but Ibushi got the ropes again. Ibushi is clutching that ankle, but was able to Hulk up & slap Zack so hard Sabre fell like a mannequin. Ibushi looks for Bomaye, but Sabre with a rollup 1…2..KICK OUT! He hits 2 more close near falls at the 15 minute call. ZSJ throws a wild punch, but Kota hits a head kick, then Bomaye for 1…2…KICK OUT! Ibushi gets wrist control & starches Zack with Kamigoye for 1…2…3!! Really good match, that wasn’t a show stealer, but it was a story about Ibushi’s ankle as this win mathematically eliminates EVIL before he even faces Okada.
Kazuchika Okada vs. EVIL Each man has a G1 win over the other as these two know each other extremely well. The feeling out process led to vintage Okada with the guard rail spot, but EVIL was able to turn the tide quickly, only for Okada to hit a pescado. He looked for a springboard elbow, but EVIL knocked the legs out under him & hits a double stomp, then bronco buster for 2. We’re already at the 10 minute call as Okada hit a Flapjack, then looked for Air Raid Crash, but EVIL threw Okada’s leg at Red Shoes & EVIL hit his thrust kick. Okada blocked float over in the corner & hit Air Raid Crash this time, then a picture perfect top rope elbow, Rainmaker Pose, but he can’t hit the move. Okada hits a dropkick to a seated EVIL in the corner, sending him to the floor. Okada hits the boot over the railing, looks for his crossbody, but EVIL chucked a chair into his face! EVIL does his home run chair shot with the chair wrapped around Okada’s head, back inside, monster corner lariat, then massive superplex. They trade strikes, but Okada misses his dropkick, misdirection, but Okada counters this time with his dropkick! They have a forearm exchange at 20 minutes in, EVIL staggers Okada, looks for Darkness Falls, Okada tried for a Tombstone & connects. They trade finisher attempts, but EVIL hits a lariat, then Darkness Falls for 1…2…KICK OUT! Okada with a backslide into a short arm Rainmaker, maintaining wrist control, hits another, looks for a third, but EVIL hits 2 half & half suplexes! Crowd is super loud as EVIL looks for a lariat, Okada ducks with a dropkick to the neck at 25 minutes.
EVIL charges & Okada hits a picture perfect dropkick. Okada looks for Rainmaker, countered, Everything Is…countered, Rainmaker cut off as EVIL headbutts Okada in the chest, then murders him with a lariat 1…2…NO!! EVIL with the Rainmaker pose, but Okada throws a short arm Rainmaker instead, then shotgun dropkicks EVIL to the corner. EVIL charges out, but eats a discus Rainmaker, then hits another proper RAINMAKER for the 1…2…3! Hot damn that was a crazy finish. Easily their best match together as this was better than their previous two G1 matches.
A Block comes down to Okada vs Ibushi, only Okada can win by draw, Ibushi needs to pin or submit Okada to go to the Finals.
A Block Standings 14 points – Kazuchika Okada 12 points – Kota Ibushi
Out of Contention 8 points – KENTA, EVIL, SANADA, Hiroshi Tanahashi 6 points – Zack Sabre Jr., Bad Luck Fale, Will Ospreay 4 points – Lance Archer
B Block Standings 10 points – Jon Moxley 8 points – Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto, Jay White, Tetsuya Naito 6 points –Juice Robinson, Toru Yano
Out of Contention 6 points – Taichi, Jeff Cobb 4 points – Shingo Takagi
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Post by randomone on Aug 8, 2019 9:54:30 GMT -6
Night 16 Toru Yano vs. Taichi Taichi stalled, so Yano bailed up the ramp to stall as well, but got attacked by Kanemaru & brought ringside where Taichi wrapped him up with the ring apron. Yano had to jump like a potato sack race & made the count at 17. Ref untangled Yano, who untied a buckle pad & we got a game of hot potato between Taichi, Yano, Kanemaru & the ref. Yano tore Taichi’s pants off & got a 2 count, but Taichi sent Yano into the exposed buckle & almost got a win off a Gedo Clutch. Kanemaru tried to whisky shot Yano, but he ducked & Taichi got misted. Yano wrapped both of them up in the apron (Rocky called them pigs in a blanket) and they couldn’t get free and Yano wins by countout. I thought it was clever & it was a short Taichi match, so I loved it in that sense.
Jeff Cobb vs. Tetsuya Naito Naito acted like Cobb was a sumo wrestler, so Cobb just bealed Naito to the floor. Naito took control inside, slowly wearing Cobb down, then starts messing with Cobb, paint brushing & spitting at him. Cobb fought back, blocking Cominacion into a release belly to belly. Leaping uppercut in the corner & standing moonsault by Cobb, but they’re saying he jammed his leg, so Cobb is wincing badly. Naito went for his flying forearm, but Cobb caught him in a German for 2. Delayed superplex gets Cobb another 2, then a Spin Cycle gets another. Naito answers with a somersault kick, but Cobb boots him to the corner. Cobb goes for I think a powerslam off the top, but Naito turns it into a Frankensteiner. Naito hits his swinging DDT, then Poison Rana, looks for Destino, but Cobb turned it into an F5! Forearm battle ends with Cobb turning Naito inside out with a lariat, looks for Tour of the Islands, but Naito turns it into Destino for 1…2..KICK OUT! Naito hits a proper Destino for 3. Naito did the sumo stuff post match. This lacked any urgency from Naito, Cobb worked well selling the leg into his offense, but Naito phoned this one in.
Hirooki Goto vs. Jon Moxley Crazy forearm battle starts us off as Mox clotheslines Goto to the floor where they continue their exchange to the point where they almost got counted out. They dove back in at 19 & continued the forearms. Both hit misdirection clotheslines, but each man no sold, but Goto hit the 2nd. Backdrop suplex gets Goto 2, but Mox answers with a release German, then Uranage, but misses the Regal Knee, instead hitting a Butterfly Suplex into a Kimura. Goto gets free & we go back to stiff forearms from both until Mox hit a lariat then Regal Knee for 2. Desperation ushigoroshi by Goto gives him time to recover. They hit multiple dueling clotheslines, with both collapsing. They continue the striking battle until Mox hits a float over Death Rider, goes for another, but Goto avoids it & hits a GTR out of nowhere for 1…2…3!! Whoa, wasn’t expecting it to end that quick! Just like that, Goto is tied for the lead in B Block and has the tiebreaker now over Mox!
Juice Robinson vs. Jay White Typical early stalling & interference, but Juice fought it off, looked for a pescado, landed on his feet, but Switchblade threw him into the guardrail & targeted the left leg. White sank in a half crab, but Juice didn’t quit & got the ropes. White mocked Juice & threw some jabs, but Juice answered back briefly before White went back to the leg. Spinebuster by Juice, White gets sent to the floor & Juice hits his pescado. Juice fires White into multiple guardrails & drapes him throat first over one for payback. Juice posts the leg, Gedo distracts him & White pulls his legs in and Juice runs face first into the post. Back inside Juice hits a Jackhammer, but his knee buckled in the process. Juice gets crotched up top & White hit a DDT, then Blade Buster for 2. Saito Suplex by Switchblade, who then hit one over the top & Juice crashed and burned, screaming in pain. White quickly gets him back in, Uranage 1…2…NO! Desperation full nelson bomb by Juice gives him time to recover as he hits a powerbomb for 2. Tenzan Crab by Juice, but White hit at the bad leg, got free & hit a dragon screw, then sunk in the TTO (Tanahashi Tap Out), reverse Figure Four, but Juice got the ropes. White hyperextended Juice’s knee, almost hit Blade Runner, but Juice went for Pulp Friction, didn’t connect as White chop blocked him down. Blade Runner blocked as Juice hits Left Hand of God as both collapse. Pulp Friction attempt, Gedo up & takes the ref letting White hit a low blow, then shoves Juice into Red Shoes, who bumps. DAMMIT THIS MATCH DIDN’T NEED A REF BUMP!! Gedo slides a chair in, but Juice hits another Left Hand of God, he looks for Pulp Friction on the chair, but White slams him onto the chair instead, then levels Juice’s bad leg twice with chair shots. Switchblade sinks in the TTO again, Red Shoes recovers miraculously in time to see Juice tap. This match was fantastic up until the shit finish, which it absolutely didn’t need. Gedo interfering I get, but we didn’t need the ref bump. Juice is officially eliminated.
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Shingo Takagi These two set a fire pace as they went for sliding lariats, hit shoulder blocks, finally Shingo getting Ishii down, dropped an elbow & senton for a quick 2. Ishii got control chopping away & punting Shingo into the back & one to the head. Shingo rises with chops, but Ishii throws chops to the throat, which Red Shoes warns him about & Ishii almost chops him (DO IT! PLEASE!!). Ishii starts throwing headbutts and Shingo almost dares him, as we get a chop battle with Shingo hitting a double sledge, then vertical suplex. Dragon Spirit elbow ala Tenryu gets Shingo 2, he can’t hit Noshigami, so he settles for a DDT & back suplex for another 2. Ishii counters a piledriver into a backdrop, then ultimately hits his snap powerslam. They continue their chop exchange in the corner as Ishii starts no selling everything, so Shingo floored him with a lariat, but Ishii hits a suplex. Ishii offers his neck to Shingo to throw more shots at and no sells as we get another forearm battle with each throwing combos, dueling clotheslines, dueling back suplexes!! Ishii is bleeding from the left ear as he hits a corner lariat & a big superplex 1…2…NO! Short kicks to the head piss Shingo off as he rises, but gets starched with a lariat. Ishii hits a powerbomb for 2, looked for a brainbuster, but Shingo got free & hits a massive lariat at the 15 minute call. Noshigami hits, as does a sliding lariat for 1…2…NO! Shingo can’t hit Made in Japan, so he settles for multiple lariats, sweat bursting off Ishii, until Ishii hits one of his own & a headbutt. Ishii looks for Sliding D, but Shingo counters & hits Made in Japan for 1…2…KICK OUT!
Pumping Bomber connects for 1…2…NO! Shingo wants Last of the Dragon, but Ishii avoids it, Shingo blocks an enzugiri, but Ishii hits a release German Suplex. They trade lariat attempts with Ishii turning Shingo inside out with one, hits a Sliding D for 1…2…KICK OUT! 20 minute call as Ishii wants his brainbuster, they have a series of reversals and Shingo connects with a modified Emerald Frosion, then a Pumping Bomber, WHICH ISHII NO SELLS as he throws an enzugiri! Ishii absolutely murders Shingo with a lariat 1…KICK OUT! Shingo with a lariat 1…KICK OUT! They hit dueling lariats, then Shingo hits Pumping Bomber for 2.9999!! Shingo screams as he plants Ishii with Last of the Dragon for the 1…2…3!!
A Block Standings 14 points – Kazuchika Okada 12 points – Kota Ibushi
Out of Contention 8 points – KENTA, EVIL, SANADA, Hiroshi Tanahashi 6 points – Zack Sabre Jr., Bad Luck Fale, Will Ospreay 4 points – Lance Archer
B Block Standings 10 points – Jon Moxley, Tetsuya Naito, Hirooki Goto, Jay White 8 points – Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano
Out of Contention 6 points – Taichi, Jeff Cobb, Juice Robinson, Shingo Takagi
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Post by randomone on Aug 8, 2019 10:09:35 GMT -6
B Block is so insanely complicated with 4 guys tied for 10 points going into the final night. Tiebreakers get messy, but I'll try my best to let you know what each guy needs to win his Block.
Hirooki Goto -Needs to beat Shingo and for Switchblade to beat Naito
Jon Moxley -Needs to beat Juice, for Shingo to beat Goto AND for Naito to beat Switchblade
Tetsuya Naito -Needs to beat Switchblade and for Juice to beat Moxley
Jay White -Needs to beat Naito and for Shingo to beat Goto
Yano & Ishii are still technically in it, but need miracles so I won't go that deep.
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Aug 8, 2019 11:59:29 GMT -6
Jay White or Moxley need to win B Block.
I like Goto but he's not a main guy and Naito has had his shot.
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Post by randomone on Aug 10, 2019 7:45:49 GMT -6
Night 17 EVIL vs. Lance Archer The match goes to the floor early on as Archer hit a moonsault off the apron, wiping out EVIL & some young lions! He unties a buckle pad & foot sweeps the ref with it! Archer fucking rules dude, he’s impressed the hell out of me. Archer looked for a senton out of the corner, but EVIL moves & hits his bronco buster, then a massive superplex. EVIL looked to throw Archer’s leg to the ref like he does all his other opponents, but Archer is so large the ref bumped, which I laughed at. Archer got a chair & tried to send EVIL into it in the corner, but EVIL slammed Archer instead & hits a huge lariat. Ego Trip off the ropes gets EVIL 2, so he looked for Everything is EVIL, but Archer hits a chokeslam, followed up with a F5. Archer wants his claw, but EVIL avoided it, however Archer was relentless & sank the EBD Claw in and got the 1…2…3! Happy Archer won, he was in a loaded Block and despite having the lowest amount of points, dude performed amazingly against the best wrestlers in the world.
SANADA vs. Bad Luck Fale So happy to be done with Fale G1 matches. You know what happened, Jado & Owens interfere, SANADA fights them off, Fale took control, rest holds, SANADA fought back, but Fale, just like the Tanahashi match, rolled SANADA up for the win. While that was a sight to see, I thought Fale was awful this tournament. This almost reached the level of annoyance when Tama Tonga had interference every match last year. I get they’re Bullet Club, but c’mon.
KENTA vs. Zack Sabre Jr. Kicks & Submission attempts aplenty, a match that I wish had G1 implications, but it is what it is. I loved how Sabre would try taunting KENTA with little slaps, but would ultimately get murdered with KENTA slaps. Sabre targeted the bad arm, but as soon as he could really get something going, KENTA cut him off. Sabre was relentless, as usual, looking for any submission possible, kimura, but KENTA got the ropes. They were up, ducked offense, & hit with dueling shots as both starched one another, collapsing at the same time. KENTA up to his knees first & daring Sabre to hit him, which he obliges. They rise to their feet, forearm exchange, the uppercuts haven’t been working for ZSJ, so he changes to kicks, looks for a PK, but KENTA hits a discus lariat. After trying to hit it before, KENTA was able to connect with his top rope double stomp for 2. GTS avoided, foot sweep, PK, but KENTA out at 1!! Forearms continue, then stiff slaps, ZSJ almost got his European Clutch for 3, but KENTA kicked out. They trade submission attempts with KENTA locking in Game Over, but Sabre gets the ropes 15 minutes in. KENTA hits his Psycho Knee, looked for GTS, but Zack sank in a Guillotine. KENTA looked to roll him up out of it, but Sabre transitioned into a double chicken wing, punting KENTA in the head/back/neck in the process as KENTA submits! These were two different stories of what could have been as ZSJ didn’t have as dominant a showing as he did last year, struggling to start, but ending strong, while KENTA started super strong, but faded majorly the second half. This was hard hitting & really fun.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Will Ospreay Test of strength early as Ospreay sent Tana to the floor, did a little air guitar & his backflip pose before Tana hits a dragon screw through the ropes. From there Tana targets the leg slowly as we’re already 5 minutes in. He has a deathlock in as Tana does a bridge & Ospreay quickly got the ropes. Ospreay rises & we get a forearm battle that Ospreay is winning, but Tana kicks the leg. Ospreay still is able to hit his handspring backflip kick, then a flying forearm, looks for Pip Pip Cheerio, but Tana cuts him off, only to get low bridged as Tana goes to the floor & Ospreay connects with a Sasuke Special. Back inside, standing shooting star, top rope 619 connects, but Tana avoids Pip Pip Cheerio and Ospreay lands badly on his leg. Tana looks for a Cloverleaf, Ospreay fights back with a Tiger Wall flip kick, enzugiri, but Tana grabs the leg & hits a dragon screw! Tana gets his Cloverleaf, but Ospreay fights & gets the ropes after a struggle. Sling blade misses, hook kick misses, Ospreay with a roll up for 2, then Robinson Special as he’s calling for it, but can’t hit Oscutter as Tana hits a wonky looking Sling Blade out of it for 2. Bear hug German gets Tana another 2, looks for another Sling Blade, but Ospreay hits a Spanish Fly, goes up Shooting Star Press 1…2…KICK OUT! Oscutter connects for 1…2…KICK OUT!! Ospreay looked for Storm Breaker, but Tana counters into Sling Blade, then hits one proper 1…2…NO! Tana goes up top, High Fly Flow cross body, but Ospreay rolls through for a 2 count. Tana signals for Sling Blade, but turned his back & Ospreay hook kicks him, Hidden Blade, Storm Breaker 1…2…3!!! Wow the final 5 minutes of that match was crazy! Despite not going as far as I’d hoped in this G1, this was a massive win for Ospreay, arguably the biggest win in his career.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Kota Ibushi Slow pace to start until we get a forearm exchange & snap dropkick by Ibushi, but Okada answers, dropkicking Ibushi out of the corner to the floor. Okada hits a brutal sounding DDT on the outside, then picks apart Ibushi slowly inside, as he’s using the clock to his advantage by applying a chinlock. Ibushi gets time to recover hitting a snap hurricanrana 10 minutes in. Ibushi fires up with kicks & a moonsault for a near fall. Okada rolled to the floor & Ibushi hits a pescado, slowly rolling Okada back in the ring, but it gives Okada enough time to recover, leaping corner uppercut & DDT nets him 2. Okada went for the top rope elbow, but Ibushi avoided it & hit a leaping mid kick as we got a forearm/uppercut exchange. Snap powerslam by Ibushi, looks for a moonsault out the corner, but Okada with the knees up. Flapjack connects for another near fall at 15 minutes. Credit Okada for actually trying to get pins instead of stalling for a draw. Okada crotched in the corner as Ibushi wants a super butterfly suplex, but hits a super rana instead! Powerbomb by Ibushi as he looks for Kamigoye, but Okada fights back with a multiple brutal German suplexes. Dropkick follows as Okada looks for a Tombstone, but Ibushi counters it into a Bastard Driver (reverse Crunchy)! Ibushi can’t follow up as we get a forearm battle while on their knees, it continue to their feet, shotgun dropkick by Okada, IBUSHI NO SELLS & murders Okada with a lariat! Ibushi tries for a Lawn Dart, but Okada grabs wrist control & hits a Rainmaker, then another Rainmaker that turns Ibushi inside out! He looks for a proper one, but Ibushi hits a straightjacket German, looks for Kamigoye, but Okada avoids it & dropkicks Ibushi in the neck. Okada looks for his signature dropkick, but Ibushi leaps in mid air & turns it into a powerbomb!! Holy shit that was hit perfectly! Ibushi signals for Bomaye, charges, but Okada hits his dropkick! Rainmaker misses as Ibushi hits a high kick to the face. Kamigoye blocked into a sunset flip by Okada 1…2…KICK OUT! That’s how he beat Jericho, but not tonight as Ibushi hits a high kick & a V-Trigger before hitting Kamigoye for 1…2…KICK OUT!! Ibushi hits another KAMIGOYE for 1…2…3!!! 25 minutes, IBUSHI WINS THE A BLOCK!!! This match ruled, however, it felt like they were holding back a little. Perhaps saving the full steam match for Wrestle Kingdom? Regardless, I want to see this match again. Against all odds, Ibushi wins after falling 0-2 and having that bad ankle injury early on.
FINAL A Block Standings 14 points – Kota Ibushi (WINNER) 14 points – Kazuchika Okada 8 points – KENTA, EVIL, SANADA, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Bad Luck Fale, Zack Sabre Jr., Will Ospreay 6 points – Lance Archer
B Block Standings 10 points – Jon Moxley, Tetsuya Naito, Hirooki Goto, Jay White 8 points – Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano
Out of Contention 6 points – Taichi, Jeff Cobb, Juice Robinson, Shingo Takagi
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Aug 11, 2019 6:17:39 GMT -6
Jay White vs. Ibushi tomorrow in the finals.
Smart move.
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Post by randomone on Aug 11, 2019 9:01:24 GMT -6
Night 18 Jeff Cobb vs Toru Yano The ref caught Yano hiding 5 rolls of tape in his tights; he went to check Cobb & Yano got a roll up. Yano tied Cobb up in his singlet & got another near fall. Cobb got free as Yano bailed to the floor, untying multiple buckle pads. Cobb sends him into one & hits Yano with an overhead belly to belly, but Yano answers with one of his own. Cobb hits a lariat, then standing moonsault for 2. Yano tried for multiple low blow attempts, but Cobb would catch him every time, ultimately hitting Tour of the Islands for the 3. Cobb’s G1 left a lot to be desired in my opinion, I know what he’s capable of & it just seemed like he never got a chance to fully let loose aside from a couple of matches. Yano on the other hand, will always Yano.
Tomohiro Ishii vs Taichi 10 seconds in Taichi already hit an axe bomber & backdrop suplex for a 2. Taichi is just having his way with Ishii early, but the short kicks just wake The Stone Pitbull up as he hits a snap powerslam. They’re playing off the fact that it’s been a long tournament for Ishii and Taichi is fresher. Ishii forearms out of a buzzsaw kick & gets a release German, before they start no selling each other’s offense. Stalling superplex by Ishii gets 2; he follows with a backdrop suplex, but Taichi no sells, only to get murdered with a clothesline. Sliding D gets Ishii another 2 count, but Taichi answers with a series of kicks including the buzzsaw. Axe Bomber gets Taichi 2, he looks for Last Ride,Ishii gets out, but Taichi hits a kamiguri & then Last Ride for 1…2…KICK OUT! Insane series of reversals ends with Ishii headbutting & starching Taichi before turning him inside out with a lariat for 1…2…NO!! Brainbuster blocked into a hook kick, then high kick, then backdrop suplex as Taichi rises like a zombie, he shakes off an enzugiri as Taichi hit another suplex for 2. Ishii with an enzugiri, Taichi no sells & hits a Thrust Kick, then Black Mephisto for 1…2…3!! WHERE HAS THIS TAICHI BEEN ALL TOURNAMENT??? There seems to be a common denominator in Taichi having a great match, that’s Tomohiro Ishii. This won’t even crack Top 5 of his best G1 matches this year, but for Taichi, I’d say it’s his best. They put over Taichi could get a NEVER Openweight Title shot due to this and honestly, if it’s against Ishii, I’m all for it.
Juice Robinson vs Jon Moxley Moxley worked the leg in the first 5 minutes as he sank in a figure four, Juice reversed to break the hold, tried for Juice Box, but Mox turned it into a Cloverleaf. Juice then BITES MOXLEY’S EAR RING OUT as Kevin Kelly points out its revenge for Mox biting Juice’s eyebrow in their first one. Juice wants a high cross, but Mox rolls through & got to the floor, slamming Juice’s leg on the apron. Mox looks for his table, but Juice cuts him off with a pescado. Like a gentleman, Juice shoves the table back under the ring, but Mox drags him into the guard rail. Mox posts Juice’s leg, grabs a chair, misses a shot & Juice hits a tumbleweed off the apron. Juice puts the chair away & hits a high cross body for 2. Juice with snap jabs, but Mox fires back with a lariat. They tease finisher attempts, with Mox sinking in an Ankle Lock, but Juice gets the ropes. Mox sank in a STF deep to the point where Juice nearly faded, but he grabbed Red Shoes pants before he could pass out. Moxley believed he won the match, but Red Shoes broke him the bad news, so he hit Juice with a Regal Knee and turns him inside out with a suplex. Mox threw multiple chairs & a table in the ring, but as he set the table up, Juice got a schoolboy for 2. Mox bites the eyebrow of Juice (HOORAY CONTINUITY!), but Juice hits a Left Hand of God twice & Pulp Friction for 1…2…3!! Juice gets his redemption & eliminates Moxley from the G1 in the process! Both guys had great G1 showings, Moxley showed what he’s capable of & Juice had some fantastic performances.
Shingo Takagi vs Hirooki Goto So the feeling out process for these two is beating the shit out of each other with forearms. Senton early by Shingo got him a 1 count, but Goto knocked Shingo to the floor with a discus lariat. Goto with a draping neckbreaker back inside for a 2 count, mid kick to the back, but Shingo out at 1. Goto slowing the pace down with a head scissors, then some corner lariats, but Shingo fought back and we get a forearm/chop battle (so fucking loud) as Shingo hits a snap backdrop suplex. Back elbow, straight right, lariat gets Shingo 2. Goto answers with vertical & Saito suplexes, then looks for Ushigoroshi, Shingo gets out & charges right into a Shibata-esque sleeper. Shingo takes a back bump to break the hold, sliding lariat, Noshigami for 2! Shingo wants Made in Japan, but settles for some lariats, they trade misdirection spots & Goto drops him with a Ushigoroshi for 2. Goto wants GTR, but Shingo gets out & they headbutt each other before Shingo hits Made in Japan for 1…2…KICK OUT! Pumping Bomber connects, but Goto kicks out at 2! Shingo wants, but can’t hit Last of the Dragon, throws elbows, but Goto hits a headbutt, then inverted GTR, but he’s too exhausted to make the cover. Goto ducks a Pumping Bomber, but Shingo charges & hits the second try turning Goto inside out before hitting Last of the Dragon for 1…2…3!! What a match, Shingo fucking rules & Goto continues to be friggin great.
Winner Take All Jay White vs Tetsuya Naito If this goes to a 30 minute draw, extra time must be added as they’d both end with 11 points. So there must be a winner. White stalls, so Naito hits his tranquillo pose. Naito chucks Gedo into White, then slams him into the railing. Back inside, White tries to bail, but Naito rakes the eyes, looks for Combinacion, but Switchblade chops him down. Naito looks for it again, but White slams Naito onto the apron. Naito sent into multiple railings hard as Switchblade mocks him inside. Corner uppercut & snap DDT gets White 2 as we go back to the floor and White slams Naito into the railing & side of the ring over and over. White wants a count out, but Red Shoes isn’t going to let the B Block be decided that way. Back inside, White starts messing with Naito, who hits a single leg dropkick, hurricanrana & dropkick to the back. 3rd time’s a charm as Naito hits Combinacion, then two neckbreakers at the 10 minute mark. Cravat into a crucifix hold as White gets the ropes. White avoids a lariat, hits a Complete Shot, Naito looks for his flying forearm, but White turns it into an Uranage. Naito counters a Kiwi Krusher into a DDT, looks for Gloria, but White pulls the hair & tosses him into Red Shoes, who bumps (boooooo). Naito avoids a Gedo knucks shot & a White low blow, he spits in Switchblades face & hits a flying forearm, then Gloria, for 1…2…KICK OUT! That ref bump was totally pointless. Naito with a wheel kick, step up rope assisted DDT, but can’t hit Destino. White collapses to try to sucker Naito in and it works, letting him hit two Saito suplexes, then Kiwi Krusher for 1…2…NO! Naito hit the sloppiest Poison Rana I’ve ever seen, landing on his own neck in the process, but follows with Destino 1…2…KICK OUT! Switchblade counters the second Destino with a Sleeper Suplex. Blade Runner attempt, Destino attempt, Blade Runner attempt, Dragon Rana attempt, Blade Runner attempt, Destino attempt, Switchblade hits another Sleeper Suplex! White spikes Naito with a Bloody Sunday, then Blade Runner for 1…2…3!! This was a good B Block final, but not a blow away one. Naito is so thrashed at this point, he needs to recover, but can’t. It’s kind of sad to see considering what we’ve seen him do in the past. Switchblade wins and I’m happy about that, but we didn’t need a fucking ref bump.
Post match Ibushi comes to the ring to have a face off, Switchblade offers a handshake, Ibushi shook it, then White wanted a low blow, but Ibushi blocked it. Gedo hooked his ankle as he was leaving and White chop blocked him, then did the Pillman spot with Ibushi’s bad ankle with multiple chair shots. Switchblade stood tall over Ibushi to end the show.
FINAL A Block Standings 14 points – Kota Ibushi (WINNER) 14 points – Kazuchika Okada 8 points – KENTA, EVIL, SANADA, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Bad Luck Fale, Zack Sabre Jr., Will Ospreay 6 points – Lance Archer
B Block Standings 12 points – Jay White (WINNER) 10 points – Jon Moxley, Tetsuya Naito, Hirooki Goto 8 points – Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano, Jeff Cobb, Taichi, Juice Robinson, Shingo Takagi
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Post by randomone on Aug 12, 2019 4:20:46 GMT -6
KENTA turned on Shibata and joined Bullet Club. Insane.
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Aug 12, 2019 5:25:13 GMT -6
What an amazing last hour and a half.
Is Shibata coming back to wrestle?
How is Omega not at the Dome when Ibushi wins?
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Post by randomone on Aug 12, 2019 9:24:58 GMT -6
Shibata had brain surgery only a few years ago. He was one of my favorites, but for his safety, I don't want to see him wrestle. If he does, keep it extremely limited. Or since KENTA turned on Ishii first, have him wrestle Ishii with Shibata in his corner.
That whole thing was arguably the best angle in years in New Japan. You don't see many major things like that, aside from maybe guys overtaking the Bullet Club lead (AJ turning on Balor, Omega turning on AJ, White turning on Omega). Maybe this leads to KENTA turning on Switchblade?
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Aug 12, 2019 9:42:31 GMT -6
I like Jay White and hope he doesn't leave Bullet Club yet.
The angle was awesome and I was stunned Shibata did any physicality at all.
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Post by randomone on Aug 12, 2019 9:51:46 GMT -6
G1 Climax 29 Finals Kota Ibushi vs Jay White Red Shoes threw out all of Bullet Club from ringside, including newest member KENTA, allowing Gedo to stay, but he changed his mind once Gedo immediately tripped Ibushi. So Switchblade has to go at this alone as Ibushi sent White to the floor, looked for a Golden Triangle, but White cut him off, wrenching his bad ankle using the guardrail & ring post. Ibushi tried to cut White off with a hurricanrana, but White put the brakes on & powerbombs him. Ibushi fights back with a one legged moonsault off the second rope for 2. High kick, standing moonsault, looks for a moonsault double knee, but White misses & Ibushi clutches his ankle. Blade Buster gets White a near fall, he looked to follow with the TTO, but Ibushi hit a double stomp to his back. White answered with a Flatliner & snap German before connecting with a superplex. Kiwi Krusher attempt is countered into a Bastard Driver by Ibushi, but he can’t follow up as White recovers & hits a Uranage on his head, then Kiwi Krusher for a 2 count. Blade Runner blocked, Kamigoye blocked, Switchblade sleeper suplex blocked as Ibushi hits a sleeper suplex of his own! Ibushi wants the Lawn Dart, but White wiggles out & shoves Kota into Red Shoes, who bumps, dammit. Right on cue, here comes Gedo with a chair, as Switchblade hits a low blow, then takes out Ibushi’s leg with the chair, hits a dragon screw as Gedo revives Red Shoes. White applies the TTO as Ibushi is in deep trouble. He’s struggling mightily but gets the ropes at the 20 minute call.
Sleeper suplex blocked as Ibushi throws a desperation Pele Kick! White sent to the corner with the Lawn Dart, he rolls to the apron, which was a mistake as Ibushi hits his Deadlift German from the apron into the ring!! White fights out of Last Ride, slaps Ibushi, who no sells & destroys Switchblade with shots. He’s daring White to hit him & we get a palm strike exchange that crumbles Switchblade. Ibushi wants a lariat, White hits a desperation dragon screw, but it doesn’t stop Ibushi, who hits his clothesline & Last Ride powerbomb for a 2 count at the 25 minute mark. Ibushi wants the Bomaye, but White plays dead, then grabs the ref as Gedo jumps in with his brass knucks, but gets taken out by Ibushi. White hits a Sleeper Suplex, but Ibushi NO SELLS, then hits a Bomaye!! Red Shoes gets Rocky Romero to drag Gedo out of the ring as Ibushi hits a second Bomaye for 1…2…KICK OUT!! Kamigoye blocked as White takes out the bad ankle, so Ibushi throws high kicks with the good leg. Ibushi wants Kamigoye, but White hits BLADE RUNNER, but he’s slow to cover, instead gets wrist control. Switchblade wants his cross arm brainbuster, but Ibushi takes wrist control & headbutts and hits a straightjacket German. Kamigoye blocked again as White hits the Sleeper Suplex, then another!! Switchblade connects with a brutal brainbuster, looks for Blade Runner, but Ibushi hits a standing Kamigoye, goes for it again, Blade Runner counter blocked, Ibushi with two jumping knees, then KAMIGOYE for 1…2…NO!! Ibushi lowers the knee pad, gets wrist control, then murders Switchblade with a third and final KAMIGOYE for 1…2…3!!! Fuckin’ A what a war, what a G1 Final. This was the best Jay White match I have seen. Ibushi, bad ankle and all, comes back after being down 0-2 and wins the most loaded G1 Block ever. Amazing.
The day they announced the schedule for this tournament, I predicted Ibushi over Jay White in the finals with Ibushi winning. I’M IN YOUR HEAD GEDO!!
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Post by The Original Kid Cairo on Aug 12, 2019 9:55:52 GMT -6
KENTA turned on Shibata and joined Bullet Club. Insane. I like the response from that one guy: "and u say wrestling is fake smh" Yes, motherfucker it is still fake.
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Aug 12, 2019 9:58:43 GMT -6
I saw that Ibushi is the first guy to win the New Japan Cup, Best of Super Juniors, and G1.
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Post by randomone on Aug 12, 2019 11:02:01 GMT -6
Apparently Kenny was there to see Ibushi win tonight.
But because AEW and New Japan really aren't on the same page (aside from the Mox/Jericho working agreement), that's why he didn't come out.
Man, if you would've had Kenny come out and hug Ibushi to end the show, but like you said Peeps, maybe they save that moment for the Dome.
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