It appears that Jon Moxley and Shingo Takagi will both be entrants in this year’s G1 Climax.
After defeating Shota Umino at Dominion, Moxley got on the microphone and declared that he wants to be in the G1. Takagi then did the same after defeating Satoshi Kojima.
Moxley’s match at Dominion was the second time he’s wrestled for NJPW. He made his NJPW debut at the Best of the Super Juniors finals on June 5, defeating Juice Robinson to win the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.
Takagi made it to the Best of the Super Juniors finals after going undefeated in the A Block. Will Ospreay defeated him to win the tournament.
While announcing that he wants to be in the G1, Takagi said he’s going to prove how strong a junior heavyweight can be.
NJPW has yet to announce the participants for this year’s G1. The tournament will begin at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on July 6. It runs through August 12, with the tournament concluding with three straight nights at Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Throughout the week leading into December 31st, we are taking you back to some of Dave Meltzer’s top-rated matches of the past year, starting with the five star matches and ending up with a seven star classic.
15 matches got the five star treatment while six matches garnered ratings above that level.
What follows is an edited version of Dave’s writeup from the match from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, available in full for subscribers. Also, we want to give a big shoutout to Cagematch.net who makes research for this list ridiculously easy.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi
NJPW G1 Climax Finals | August 12, 2018
*****3/4
“Tanahashi beat Kota Ibushi in the finals on 8/12 at Budokan Hall in Tokyo in a match that many regulars in Japan called one of the greatest matches in the history of the building which covers an incredible amount of ground. It was a masterpiece of a match, probably Tanahashi’s best ever performance when it comes to fire and being a babyface. Ibushi on that night, and through the tournament, showed that he is one of the most physically talented and greatest in-ring performers of the incredible modern generation.
Ibushi was trying to become the first wrestler in history to win all three major New Japan singles tournaments: the Super Juniors, New Japan Cup and G-1. Kenny Omega was in Ibushi’s corner while Katsuyori Shibata was in Tanahashi’s corner. Both were very animated in encouraging and lending instructions and giving it a real feeling, not that the guys needed any help.
It was a total Tanahashi crowd even though Ibushi is the classic babyface that usually would be the crowd favorite against the established legend in this situation. Tanahashi blocked a dropkick but Ibushi changed into a double foot stomp on the apron. Tanahashi dropkicked him to the floor and teased the high fly flow to the floor but Ibushi jumped in the ring. Ibushi went for the lawn dart but Tanahashi turned it into a sling blade. There were some incredible striking exchanges and one of the longest and most brutal hard slap fests. Really, very few matches feel like a movie and this was one of them.
Tanahashi skinned the cat into the ring but Ibushi caught him in the Omega style spike power bomb. Tanahashi did the dragon screws into the Texas cloverleaf, but Ibushi struggled before making the ropes. Tanahashi hit the high fly floor to the floor. Ibushi barely beat the 20 count in. Ibushi did a top rope Asai moonsault. Ibushi came back with big moves like a springboard missile dropkick and half nelson German suplex. He went for the kamagoye but Tanahashi cradled him. Then Ibushi hit the bom a ye (Kinshasa).
There’s another layer of story here and the American announcers really shined, improving throughout and peaking with this. The story is that to Ibushi, Tanahashi is God. That isn’t meant as God like to Americans, but like God of Pro Wrestling like Karl Gotch or Lou Thesz. Tanahashi is what Ibushi always strived to be and that played into the story because at times in the match the feeling of Tanahashi as the untouchable God played with his mind. But his closest to God hero was Nakamura, so the idea he was using the finisher of one God to beat God, but Tanahashi escaped. They had another unreal striking exchange. Perhaps the peak was Ibushi slapping the hell out of Tanahashi, who kept walking forward showing some of the most incredible fire ever, and Ibushi feeling intimidated by who Tanahashi was and what he represented to him.
There was a striking exchange that Ibushi ended with a sick lariat. There was another that Tanahashi was losing, and then came back with one European uppercut after another. Tanahashi did a straitjacket German suplex for a near fall. Tanahashi went for a high fly flow but Ibushi got his knees up, and then Ibushi hit the bom a ye (Kinshasa), did a standing moonsault landing with both knees on Tanahashi’s chest and then hit other spots teased earlier, most notably the lawn dart. This was huge because everyone knows that Ibushi did this move to Tanahashi before and Tanahashi ended up with a neck injury that put him out of action. This created incredible drama. It did look safer than before, but there is still an issue with the lengths these guys go. Notably, there were so many hard slaps and even though they don’t knock you out, that kind of repeated head trauma is exactly what we’ve learned is bad in the long run.
Ibushi also hit the power German, and instead of taking it nearly on his head like Naito did, Tanahashi took it on his shoulder, which also was a risk. Then came the last ride power bomb and Ibushi did a straitjacket German suplex. He went to finish with the kamagoye but Tanahashi reversed into a twist and shout, followed by a dragon suplex, a high fly flow to the back. Tanahashi went to follow with the regular high fly flow, but Ibushi became the first person I can recall ever to get to their feet after a high fly flow, so Tanahashi instead did the crossbody.
Then Tanahashi hit the high fly flow for the pin with the idea it took three high fly flows to win his third G-1. After cheering for Tanahashi, a big Ibushi chant broke out. There was a staredown of sorts in the ring, but Omega took Ibushi to the back, and he was crying heavily from the emotion, to leave center stage for Tanahashi.
A battle between the present and the future takes place tonight at Korakuen Hall.
Kazuchika Okada will battle Hangman Page in the main event. This is Page’s first G1 tournament, and at 26, has a big future ahead of him. Okada, who has yet to reach his peak, will look to gain his first win in the tournament after losing his first two bouts.
A well-established feud between Hiroshi Tanahashi and Bad Luck Fale is set for the co-main event. These two have battled off and on for years. Tanahashi is an expert at having great matches with just about everyone, so this should be no different. Togi Makabe vs. EVIL, YOSHI-HASHI vs. Minoru Suzuki and Michael Elgin vs. Jay White rounds out tonight’s A Block action.
Join us for live coverage starting at 5:30 a.m. EST. There will be English commentary with Kevin Kelly and Rocky Romero calling the action.
**********
Zack Sabre Jr. and Taka Michinoku defeated Toa Henare and Shota Umino
Interestingly, while SANADA and Sabre are set to face each other tomorrow, they aren’t facing off in tag team action. This was a match to let Sabre pick apart Umino, and he did, submitting him with a rear naked choke.
Kota Ibushi and Yujiro Takahashi defeated Toru Yano and Gedo
Basic tag match, same as the usual fare. Gedo replaced Jado for whatever reason; he was originally set for this match. Takahashi pinned Gedo with the pimp juice DDT.
Tetsuya Naito and SANADA defeated Juice Robinson and David Finlay
Naito made it clear he was after Robinson’s had as he set his focus on the injured hand the entire match. SANADA and Finlay worked well together as Naito was destroying the hand. SANADA caught Finlay, spun him around them submitted him with the skull end.
Guerillas of Destiny defeated Kenny Omega and Chase Owens
Omega and Owens wasted no time in attacking the Guerillas of Destiny and gained control early. Tonga avoided a pescado from Omega and worked him over while Loa was in the ring with Owens. Omega came in and ran house on both, but was taken out by a gun stun from Tonga. Loa then pinned Owens with the sitout piledriver.
After the match, Omega was tending to Owens when Tama Tonga returned to the ring and laid him out with another gun stun, setting the stage for tomorrow.
Tomohiro Ishii and YOH defeated Hirooki Goto and SHO
Another formulaic tag team match, though action was good. SHO worked a lot with YOH and the two people that’l square off tomorrow (Ishii and Goto) did their thing. After scoring a really cool near fall, SHO rammed YOH with a knee and Ishii soon followed with a brainbuster for the win.
A Block:
Jay White defeated Micheal Elgin
Elgin takes out White early with a huge suicide dive that takes him into the barricade. Elgin stands on chairs in the crowd and looks to suplex White into the chair, but White counters and takes him down back to the outside of the ring.
After taking a beating, White starts mounting a comeback. Elgin strikes with a superkick and blocks a rolling suplex attempt from White by taking him to the top rope and plants him with a superplex. Elgin heads back to the top and hits a big splash.
They make it to the apron where White smacks Elgin on the apron with a complete shot. White went for a kiwi crusher but it looked like Elgin countered and suplexed him to the floor. They trade offense in the ring until Elgin connects with a roaring elbow, a huge lariat and a tiger bomb for a great nearfall.
White gets planted with a buckle bomb, but White takes the ref with him. That allows him to low blow Elgin and plants him with the bladerunner for the win. A great match with a very tired finish. They absolutely did not need a ref bump here and I don’t know why they did it yet again.
Minoru Suzuki defeated YOSHI-HASHI
YOSHI-HASHI brought it to Suzuki early, but Suzuki quickly put himself in the driver’s seat, smashing his elbow with a chair and and pelting him with chairs in the crowd.
Suzuki continues to dominate in the ring until YOSHI-HASHI grabs a leg and DDT’s Suzuki. Suzuki grabbed YOSHI-HASHI’s arm and torked it, applying an armbar. YOSHI-HASHI counters and grapples, going for the butterfly lock. Suzuki finally makes it to the ropes as YOSHI-HASHI laid him out with a backbreaker.
Suzuki fights out of a karma attempt and flattens YOSHI-HASHI with a dropkick. After peppering him with slaps, Suzuki drops YH with the Gotch piledriver and picks up the win. Really good, hard hitting match. YOSHI-HASHI plays an underdog very well and this match delivered.
EVIL defeated Togi Makabe
They started off by trading a number of forearm shots. EVIL on the outside grabs a chair, puts it on Makabe’s neck and smashes it with another chair. He took Makabe into the crowd and tried for a running lariat, but Makabe blocked his attempt and EVIL ended up walking right into his own.
EVIL cuts off Makabe back in the ring and starts wearing him down. EVIL connects with the Darkness Falls but Makabe fights back after a STO attempt. He takes EVIL down but EVIL struck back with a lariat and pinned him with the STO. Good match; nothing special, but a pretty good back and forth brawl.
Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Bad Luck Fale by disqualification
Tanahashi rushed over to Fale and immediately connected with a dropkick, focusing on one of Fale’s knees. Fale eventually did gain momentum by throwing Tanahashi into the crowd. While Fale distracted the referee with a chair, Tanga Loa jumped Tanahashi on the outside.
Fale worked on Tanahashi for a while before Tanahashi fired back with shots to the previously injured knee. He locks in the Cloverleaf but Fale reverses forcefully, sending Tanahashi to the floor. Tanahashi tries to focus on Fale’s knee, but Fale takes him out with a clothesline and a samoan drop.
Fale set up for the Bad Luck Fall but Tanahashi countered with a roll up. Tanahashi reversed a suplex into the twist and shout and followed with a sling blade. Fale dodged a high fly flow attempt. Fale hit the grenade, but got a near fall. Fale went for the Bad Luck Fall but Tanahashi countered with a sling blade. He connected with the high fly flow, but guess what? Tama Tonga pulled out the ref for the 236,234th time in this tournament.
Loa and Fale accidentally collided with one another when they were looking for a double team, but Tama Tonga came back in and laid out Tanahashi with a gun stun. Fale went to cover, but the most amazing thing happened. Red Shoes decided he had enough, flipped off the Bullet Club and disqualified Bad Luck Fale for all the interference. Amazing. Match itself was pretty good.
The Tongans put the boots to Tanahashi after the match, standing tall.
Kazuchika Okada defeated Hangman Page
Things start off pretty slow, some good back and forth between the two. They go to the outside where Okada sends Hangman into the barricade. Page fights back by laying out Okada with the buckshot lariat through the barricade. Back in the ring, he misses a moonsault attempt as Okada rolls out of the way.
Page lands a package tombstone piledriver as he looks to build momentum. He landed a giant neckbreaker from the top rope as Page followed that with another big moonsault, this time connecting. Another buckshot lariat follows.
Page went for the rite of passage but Okada counters with a roll up. Okada went for a German suplex but Page landed on his feet. Okada countered Paige’s attempt at offense with a tombstone. The two start battling, with Okada landing the dropkick. He tries for a rainmaker, but Page counters with a superkick.
Page connected with a roaring elbow and goes for the rite of passage but Okada connected with a rolling lariat and hit the rainmaker for the win. Great match, Page held his ground with Okada, looked great and they had a really nice back and forth match.
Okada was happy about his win after the match, his first in the tournament so far. He started to cry, then cut himself off and said the G1 is just getting started.
Ahead of it kicking off overnight, NJPW has revealed nearly all of the non-tournament schedule for this year’s G1 Climax.
As always, there will be undercard tag matches on the shows to build up the next set of tournament bouts. The most noteworthy of those is scheduled for August 10, where Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks will team against Kota Ibushi, Marty Scurll & Chase Owens. The next night, Omega and Ibushi will face off at the final B Block show.
The Young Bucks will also be in action on August 11, teaming with Scurll against Jay White, Sho & Yoh. Tomoaki Honma, who returned to the ring last month after suffering a career-threatening cervical vertebrae injury in March 2017, will be in action on that show as he teams with Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe & Michael Elgin against Kazuchika Okada, YOSHI-HASHI, Jado & Gedo. Tanahashi vs. Okada is set for the previous night’s A Block finals.
Sho and Yoh, who are partners as Roppongi 3K, will be facing each other in a few tag matches on the tour when both teams are from their Chaos stable.
The tournament will begin at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time tomorrow (Saturday) as the first A Block show takes place in Tokyo. It will conclude with three consecutive nights at Budokan Hall, with the finals set for August 12. The full card for the finals won’t be revealed until shortly before the event. The match order for the block finals, along with the order of the undercard for the August 8 show, also isn’t yet official.
Here’s the updated schedule:
July 14 (Tokyo, Ota Ward Gymnasium, A Block tournament matches) —
Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki
Michael Elgin vs. EVIL
Bad Luck Fale vs. Hangman Page
Togi Makabe vs. YOSHI-HASHI
Kenny Omega & Chase Owens vs. Tetsuya Naito & SANADA
Kota Ibushi & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taka Michinoku
Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
Tomohiro Ishii & Sho vs. Toru Yano & Yoh
Hirooki Goto & Jado vs. Toa Henare & Ren Narita
July 15 (Tokyo, Ota Ward Gymnasium, B Block) —
Kenny Omega vs. Tetsuya Naito
Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Hirooki Goto vs. SANADA
Juice Robinson vs. Tama Tonga
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Toru Yano
Hiroshi Tanahashi & David Finlay vs. Jay White & Yoh
Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tanga Loa
Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. Minoru Suzuki & El Desperado
YOSHI-HASHI & Sho vs. EVIL & BUSHI
Michael Elgin & Shota Umino vs. Hangman Page & Chase Owens
July 16 (Hokkaido, A Block) —
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Jay White
Kazuchika Okada vs. Bad Luck Fale
Togi Makabe vs. Minoru Suzuki
YOSHI-HASHI vs. EVIL
Michael Elgin vs. Hangman Page
Kenny Omega & Chase Owens vs. Hirooki Goto & Yoh
Tomohiro Ishii & Sho vs. Tetsuya Naito & SANADA
Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Kota Ibushi & Yujiro Takahashi
Toru Yano & Jado vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taka Michinoku
Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa vs. Toa Henare & Shota Umino
July 19 (Tokyo, Korakuen Hall, B Block) —
Kenny Omega vs. Hirooki Goto
Tetsuya Naito vs. Tomohiro Ishii
Kota Ibushi vs. Juice Robinson
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Toru Yano
SANADA vs. Tama Tonga
Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Hangman Page & Chase Owens
Hiroshi Tanahashi & David Finlay vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tanga Loa
Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. EVIL & BUSHI
YOSHI-HASHI & Sho vs. Minoru Suzuki & El Desperado
Michael Elgin & Ren Narita vs. Jay White & Yoh
July 20 (Tokyo, Korakuen Hall, A Block) —
Kazuchika Okada vs. Hangman Page
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale
Togi Makabe vs. EVIL
Minoru Suzuki vs. YOSHI-HASHI
Michael Elgin vs. Jay White
Hirooki Goto & Yoh vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Sho
Kenny Omega & Chase Owens vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
Tetsuya Naito & SANADA vs. Juice Robinson & David Finlay
Kota Ibushi & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Toru Yano & Jado
Zack Sabre Jr. & Taka Michinoku vs. Toa Henare & Shota Umino
July 21 (Tokyo, Korakuen Hall, B Block) —
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Hirooki Goto
Kenny Omega vs. Tama Tonga
Tetsuya Naito vs. Juice Robinson
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. SANADA
Kota Ibushi vs. Toru Yano
Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Togi Makabe & Toa Henare
Hiroshi Tanahashi & David Finlay vs. Hangman Page & Chase Owens
Jay White & Yoh vs. Minoru Suzuki & El Desperado
EVIL & BUSHI vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tanga Loa
Michael Elgin & Ren Narita vs. YOSHI-HASHI & Sho
July 22 (Tokyo, Esforta Arena Hachioji, A Block) —
Kazuchika Okada vs. Togi Makabe
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hangman Page
Minoru Suzuki vs. Jay White
EVIL vs. Bad Luck Fale
Michael Elgin vs. YOSHI-HASHI
Tetsuya Naito & SANADA vs. Kota Ibushi & Yujiro Takahashi
Kenny Omega & Chase Owens vs. Juice Robinson & David Finlay
Tomohiro Ishii & Sho vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taka Michinoku
Hirooki Goto & Yoh vs. Toru Yano & Jado
Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa vs. Toa Henare & Shota Umino
July 26 (Niigata, B Block) —
Kota Ibushi vs. SANADA
Kenny Omega vs. Juice Robinson
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Tetsuya Naito vs. Tama Tonga
Hirooki Goto vs. Toru Yano
Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. YOSHI-HASHI & Sho
Hiroshi Tanahashi & David Finlay vs. Togi Makabe & Toa Henare
Jay White & Yoh vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tanga Loa
EVIL & BUSHI vs. Hangman Page & Chase Owens
Michael Elgin & Ren Narita vs. Minoru Suzuki & El Desperado
July 27 (Shizuoka, A Block) —
Kazuchika Okada vs. YOSHI-HASHI
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Togi Makabe
Jay White vs. Bad Luck Fale
EVIL vs. Hangman Page
Minoru Suzuki vs. Michael Elgin
Kenny Omega & Chase Owens vs. Tetsuya Naito & SANADA
Tomohiro Ishii & Sho vs. Kota Ibushi & Yujiro Takahashi
Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Toru Yano & Jado
Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taka Michinoku
Hirooki Goto & Yoh vs. Toa Henare & Shota Umino
July 28 (Aichi, B Block) —
Kenny Omega vs. SANADA
Tetsuya Naito vs. Hirooki Goto
Kota Ibushi vs. Tomohiro Ishii
Juice Robinson vs. Toru Yano
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Tama Tonga
Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Michael Elgin & David Finlay
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Shota Umino vs. YOSHI-HASHI & Sho
EVIL & BUSHI vs. Minoru Suzuki & El Desperado
Jay White & Yoh vs. Hangman Page & Chase Owens
Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tanga Loa
July 30 (Kagawa, A Block) —
Kazuchika Okada vs. Michael Elgin
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. YOSHI-HASHI
Minoru Suzuki vs. EVIL
Jay White vs. Hangman Page
Togi Makabe vs. Bad Luck Fale
Hirooki Goto & Yoh vs. Kota Ibushi & Yujiro Takahashi
Kenny Omega & Chase Owens vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taka Michinoku
Tetsuya Naito & SANADA vs. Toru Yano & Jado
Tomohiro Ishii & Sho vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Toa Henare & Shota Umino
August 1 (Kagoshima, B Block) —
Kota Ibushi vs. Hirooki Goto
Kenny Omega vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Tetsuya Naito vs. Toru Yano
Juice Robinson vs. SANADA
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tama Tonga
Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Minoru Suzuki & El Desperado
Hiroshi Tanahashi & David Finlay vs. EVIL & BUSHI
Jay White & Yoh vs. YOSHI-HASHI & Sho
Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. Hangman Page & Chase Owens
Michael Elgin & Shota Umino vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tanga Loa
August 2 (Fukuoka, A Block) —
Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL
Jay White vs. YOSHI-HASHI
Togi Makabe vs. Hangman Page
Michael Elgin vs. Bad Luck Fale
Tetsuya Naito & SANADA vs. Kota Ibushi & Yujiro Takahashi
Kenny Omega & Chase Owens vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Sho
Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taka Michinoku
Hirooki Goto & Yoh vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
Toru Yano & Jado vs. Toa Henare & Ren Narita
August 4 (Osaka, B Block) —
Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi
Kenny Omega vs. Tomohiro Ishii
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Juice Robinson
Hirooki Goto vs. Tama Tonga
SANADA vs. Toru Yano
Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. EVIL & BUSHI
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Shota Umino vs. Michael Elgin & David Finlay
Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. Jay White & Yoh
Minoru Suzuki & El Desperado vs. Hangman Page & Chase Owens
YOSHI-HASHI & Sho vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tanga Loa
August 5 (Osaka, A Block) —
Kazuchika Okada vs. EVIL
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Michael Elgin
Jay White vs. Togi Makabe
Minoru Suzuki vs. Hangman Page
YOSHI-HASHI vs. Bad Luck Fale
Kenny Omega & Chase Owens vs. Toru Yano & Jado
Kota Ibushi & Yujiro Takahashi vs. Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
Hirooki Goto & Yoh vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taka Michinoku
Tetsuya Naito & SANADA vs. David Finlay & Toa Henare
Juice Robinson & Shota Umino vs. Tomohiro Ishii & Sho
August 8 (Kanagawa, B Block) —
Tetsuya Naito vs. SANADA
Kenny Omega vs. Toru Yano
Kota Ibushi vs. Tama Tonga
Hirooki Goto vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Juice Robinson
Kazuchika Okada & Gedo vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi & David Finlay
Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs. Michael Elgin & Shota Umino
Jay White & Yoh vs. EVIL & BUSHI
YOSHI-HASHI & Sho vs. Hangman Page & Chase Owens
Minoru Suzuki & El Desperado vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tanga Loa
August 10 (Tokyo, Budokan Hall, A Block) —
Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
Jay White vs.EVIL
Minoru Suzuki vs. Bad Luck Fale
Michael Elgin vs. Togi Makabe
Hangman Page vs. YOSHI-HASHI
Tetsuya Naito & SANADA vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taka Michinoku
Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks vs. Kota Ibushi, Marty Scurll & Chase Owens
Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa vs. Toru Yano & Jado
Tomohiro Ishii & Sho vs. Toa Henare & Shota Umino
Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs. Hirooki Goto & Yoh
August 11 (Tokyo, Budokan Hall, B Block) —
Kenny Omega vs. Kota Ibushi
Tetsuya Naito vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Hirooki Goto vs. Juice Robinson
Tomohiro Ishii vs. SANADA
Toru Yano vs. Tama Tonga
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe, Michael Elgin & Tomoaki Honma vs. Kazuchika Okada, YOSHI-HASHI, Jado & Gedo
Minoru Suzuki & El Desperado vs. EVIL & BUSHI
The Young Bucks & Marty Scurll vs. Jay White, Sho & Yoh
Hangman Page & Chase Owens vs. Bad Luck Fale & Tanga Loa
David Finlay vs. Toa Henare
August 12 (Tokyo, Budokan Hall) —
A Block vs. B Block winner in the tournament finals
Rey Mysterio in action
“Sengoku Enbu,” a promotional tie-in wrestler named after the card game that’s sponsoring the tournament, in action. They’ll likely be played by a member of the NJPW roster.
Editor’s Note: Every day this week, we’ll take you back to one of Dave Meltzer’s top-rated matches of the past year, starting with No. 10 and going through No. 1. What follows is an edited version of Dave’s writeup of that match from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter with the context relatively intact.
Kenny Omega vs. Tetsuya Naito
G1 Climax Finals | August 13
***** 3/4
The highest caliber G-1 Climax tournament in history had perhaps the most predictable ending.
From the announcement of the lineup, it looked like the A block would come down to Tetsuya Naito beating Hiroshi Tanahashi, the B block to Kenny Omega getting his first career win in his series with Kazuchika Okada, and that Naito would get revenge for his 2016 B block final loss to Omega, by beating him in the final. And that would set up Okada vs. Naito, the company’s most popular wrestler, for the Tokyo Dome main event.
That’s exactly what happened, but predictability didn’t matter. It wasn’t so much about who won and lost, because of match quality in the tournament, almost everyone won. Yuji Nagata was 1-8 and many had him as the tournament MVP. Omega had two of the best matches in pro wrestling history, both within a 21 hour period, and yet that wasn’t enough to stand out from a pack of the deepest pure talent pool in tournament history.
Naito vs. Omega was an insane dangerous classic. Most had this as the best match of the tournament, and in doing so, makes it a strong contender for match of the year. As far as an explosive emotional match goes, there was none better this year. I liked Omega vs. Okada more, because I thought it was superior when it came to athleticism, While also coming across far too dangerous, this match tread even more into that territory.
Tetsuya Naito pinned Kenny Omega in 34:35 to win the G-1 Climax tournament
Omega did a moonsault off the guard rail. Naito came back with a neckbreaker on the apron and a neckbreaker off the apron to the floor. A great spot saw Naito do the Tranquillo where he usually just lays there and poses, but then got up and hit a tope. Naito then went to piledriver Omega on the hard Japanese table, which is bad enough, but jumped up and somehow missed the table. We thought Omega was done for good. Believe it or not, no wrestlers were maimed making this match.
To his credit, after missing the table, Naito did protect him well on the way down. Omega sold like crazy. Omega later started working on Naito’s bad shoulder. The night before, the shoulder was all taped up but Naito wore a shirt so you didn’t know it. It probably would have been better to have been taped up here to add to the drama, but I guess he didn’t want to be seen as going into the match injured, even though he was. Omega went for the You Can’t Escape, but after doing it, he started selling the neck so he couldn’t do a moonsault. Naito used a Frankensteiner and Omega hit the Terminator dive. Omega followed with a missile dropkick to the back of the neck. Naito worked him over with a German suplex and a neckbreaker over the knee. He went for a German suplex, but Omega landed on his feet. Still, Naito hit a tornado DDT. He later went for the Frankensteiner off the top, but Omega reversed into a hot shot and a snap dragon suplex, followed by a V Trigger. Omega tried a Jay Driller, but Naito blocked it. Naito reversed a power bomb into a tornado DDT. After a series of moves, Naito went for the destino, but it was blocked and turned into a reverse crunchy piledriver by Omega.
There was a crazy spot where Naito went for a superplex, but Omega reversed it and DDT’d him on the post. I have no idea what they were doing, but that wasn’t supposed to happen quite like that and Naito could have been in a lot of trouble. Naito used a reverse huracanrana off the top rope but missed a stardust press. Omega hit the Jay Driller and two V tTiggers. Naito blocked the third one, but Omega hit the next one and hit a doctor bomb. He did a running V Trigger and went for the One Winged Angel, but Naito reversed into a reverse huracanrana. He went for the Destino but Omega hit the crunchy roll for a near fall. Omega was killing him with V triggers, and again went for the One Winged Angel, but Naito reversed and hit the Destino. Both were selling big and they teased a double knockout. Naito was bleeding from the mouth. They traded slaps and Omega hit another V trigger. Naito used a koppo kick and two Destinos and got the pin.
After the match, Naoki Sugabayashi gave Naito the G-1 trophy and Masahiro Chono, Mr. G-1, came out and gave him the flag and fist bumped him. Naito cut his usual promo with all his LIJ members and fist bumped everyone including Darryl.
In many people’s eyes, the DDT on the ringpost by Omega where it looked like Naito’s career could end and Naito’s piledriver off a table to the floor are what made it the best match of the tournament and those spots will probably always be associated with this match, even if they weren’t supposed to happen like that. The piledriver was supposed to be a piledriver through the table but for whatever reason when Naito jumped up, he missed the table and landed on the floor. To his credit, he was able to protect Omega going down, and the fear of injury and the selling like this was real. In each case, they went too far and were really hurt, but it added to the match.
Ric Flair has remained in critical condition in the hospital in Atlanta for the last several days in what is very much a battle for his life.
Flair, 68, one of the most iconic enduring and influential wrestlers in history and arguably its all-time best all-around performer taking all aspects of character and in-ring into consideration, apparently had severe pains in his stomach and was rushed to the hospital on 8/12.
While at first the situation was said to not be that serious, although he was in the Intensive Care Unit from the start, his situation worsened by the next day to where the situation was life threatening and he was put in a medically induced coma.
The catalyst of his problems were apparently a significant blockage in his bowels which led to surgery to alleviate the blockage. This led to a series of medical problems including his kidneys shutting down.
After 18 shows and a plethora of great, memorable matches, it all comes down to tonight’s G1 Climax 27 finals in Sumo Hall.
Tetsuya Naito and Kenny Omega have won their respective blocks and will square off in the main event to determine this year’s tournament winner. With Omega securing a win in their match at last year’s G1, Naito is looking to gain a measure of revenge by not allowing Omega a second consecutive run as the G1 Climax winner.
The winner of Naito vs. Omega will earn a briefcase to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at next year’s Tokyo Dome show.
A couple of title matches will also take place in the undercard. War Machine will face off against the Bullet Club contingent of Cody & Hangman Page for the IWGP Tag Team Championship, and The Young Bucks will defend their Junior Heavyweight tag titles against Ryusuke Taguchi & Ricochet.
Join us for live coverage at 2 a.m. ET. There will be English commentary with Kevin Kelly, Don Callis, and Rocky Romero calling the action.
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Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Desperado, Taichi and Taka Michinoku defeated Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask, KUSHIDA and Hirai Kawato
This was a fun opener. Kawato came in and looked great, it’s very obvious that he’s the best out of the current crop of young lions. Tiger Mask and Taka battled it near the English announcers as Kanemaru and Taichi took care of Kawato. Taichi powerbombed him then Kanemaru followed with the deep impact DDT for the win.
Desperado and KUSHIDA brawled after the match. Desperado tried to take the IWGP Jr. title to the back, but KUSHIDA jumped him and they brawled inside the crowd. Taka included himself in the brawl as they eventually made their way outside the arena. Their match is likely to take place at one of the three (yes) Destruction shows next month.
Guerillas of Destiny defeated Manabu Nakanishi and Yuji Nagata
This was okay, nothing special. Heels beat on Nagata until he unleashed a big belly to belly suplex on Tonga. Nakanishi came in and did some big power spots. Both members of GoD focused on Nakanishi. Roa hit the sitout piledriver and scored the win for his team. Both members of GoD showed respect to Nagata after the match.
Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI defeated Togi Makabe and David Finlay
A good back and forth match. Makabe and Goto worked against one another. Everyone looked good, not that much to talk about honestly. YOSHI-HASHI got the win with karma, pinning Finlay.
Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Juice Robinson and Satoshi Kojima defeated Bad Luck Fale, Yujiro Takahashi and Chase Owens
Also a pretty good back and forth bout. If there’s one person that became a star thanks to this tournament, it’s Juice Robinson. Kojima took out Fale with a lariat to the floor. Robinson came in for a hot tag. Robinson laid out Owens with a punch then pinned him with the pulp friction.
Ryusuke Taguchi and Ricochet defeated The Young Bucks to win the IWGP Jr. tag team titles
This was a great match. Ricochet and Taguchi worked really well together. Everyone held their own and looked tremendous, including Taguchi who did a great comeback. Excellent selling and drama as well.
Ricochet and Taguchi started off hot. Ricochet hit a fosbury flop off to the floor and tweaked his knee. Nick sensed it and clipped his knee; Matt soon followed. Ricochet went to do a Benadryller on the outside to even things up, but struck his knee on the ring post instead.
Back in the ring, Ricochet tried for a Benadryller again but got caught by a Nick Jackson superkick. After evading a sharpshooter, Ricochet managed to tag in Taguchi who cleaned house in a great comeback.
Taguchi tagged in Ricochet. Matt didn’t see this was he and Nick were going for the Meltzer driver. Nick caught him and laid him out as Matt went for the sharpshooter. Ricochet fought valiantly, but a swanton bomb by Nick puts him in peril. Somehow, Taguchi powers out of a sharpshooter by Nick, allowing Ricochet to escape.
Damage done, the Bucks went for the more bang for your buck. Ricochet got the knees up and tried to make a comeback, but got caught off by a superkick. They went for the Indytaker but Taguchi cut them off with a hip toss on Nick. He hit Matt with the dodon as Taguchi put Nick in the ankle lock. Ricochet struggled to make it to the top, but eventually did and hit a big shooting star press for the win and the titles.
WrestleKingdom 12 was announced for 1/4 at the Toyko Dome.
Katsuyori Shibata came out right before intermission to a huge ovation. He came to the ring and, in typical Shibata fashion, put it bluntly: “I am alive. That is all.” . This was simple, but so emotional and powerful at the same time. Women in the audience were crying. Awesome moment.
The show returned from intermission with a vignette of someone brandishing a knife. There were pieces of paper strewn about with text blacked out. It only lasted a few seconds, but I guess that’s a tease for someone.
War Machine defeated Cody and Hangman Page to retain the IWGP tag team titles
This also was a very good match. The crowd was quiet for a lot of it, but the action was good and War Machine worked their butts off as always. Page and Cody had good chemistry as a team, too.
Rowe and Hanson dominated Bullet Club early. They were cut off as Cody and Page worked on Hanson. Cody and Hanson did cartwheels and followed with double clotheslines on one another.
Rowe came in and started to clear house on Cody and Page. Everyone got in the ring and beat up one another. Cody hit Rowe with crossroads. Hanson took out both with a handspring elbow. Hanson threw Cody into the English announce team as War Machine took out Page.
Cody was taken to the outside by Hanson but Page came in for the save with the shooting star shoulder tackle. Cody flung the barricade into Hanson as Bullet Club came to the ring. They hit a disaster kick/slingshot clothesline combo. Page went for what looked like a moonsault on Rowe, but instead took out Hanson on the outside. Cody hit the moonsault on Rowe, but he managed to kick out.
Cody and Page went for a double suplex but Hanson back back and helped him clear house again. Hanson hits a moonsault of his own, but Cody put Page’s foot on the ropes. Rowe and Cody fight to the outside, where Rowe wipes out Cody with a tope, then Hanson followed with a somersault. War Machine get back into the ring and hit Fallout on Page to retain the titles.
Tama Tonga and Tanga Roa came in. Tonga grabbed a mic and says those belts look nice, but they belong to GoD. They want a rematch. Rowe was about to respond, but all of a sudden the Killer Elite Squad, Lance Archer and Davey Boy Smith Jr., make their return and lay waste to everyone.
Archer says that KES is back.GoD, War Machine, either way everyone dies.
Zack Sabre Jr., Minoru Suzuki and Takashi Iizuka defeated Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Michael Elgin
Heels dominated early on. Iizuka choked Ibushi with a camera wire, and Taichi even got involved again and choked out Tanahashi. Elgin came into the match as Iizuka distracted the ref with a chair. Kanemaru and Taichi came up, but were laid out by Elgin. Tanahashi came in for a comeback, but Sabre captured him in a armbar, leading the rest of his team to come in and break it up.
Suzuki-gun came back into the match and dominated. Sabre fought against Tanahashi as he latched on the octopus hold, focusing on Tanahashi’s injured arm. He takes off the elbow cover and continues to hold on until Tanahashi finally submits. Good, solid match.
Suzuki and Elgin brawled for a long after the match, threatening each other with chairs. Meanwhile, Sabre held the Intercontinental title over Tanahashi’s fallen body. Pretty clear those are the next two title programs.
SANADA, BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi and EVIL defeated Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Gedo and Toru Yano
SANADA put Yano in the paradise lock and tagged in EVIL, who held him in the spot. Okada tried to help, but EVIL took him out and threw him into the barricade. SANADA finally laid out Yano with a dropkick to break the lock.
It eventually turned out to be a pretty good match. Gedo came in and had Takahashi in the Gedo clutch but the rest of LIJ broke it up. Takahashi instead caught him in a triangle and submitted him for the win.
EVIL stacked chairs in the ring and grabbed Okada, laying him out with the Darkness Falls on top of the chairs. That’s your next IWGP title program.
Tetsuya Naito defeated Kenny Omega to win the G1 Climax 27 tournament
So, this was another absolutely incredible match in a sea of absolutely incredible matches. There were so many moments where someone landed on their neck that I am pretty sure both are going to be feeling the affects of this match for a long time to come. Simply awe inspiring athleticism here and somehow even better than their match from last year. I don’t know if it’s as good as the Omega/Okada trilogy, but this is certainly up there.
Naito hit a big tope that sent Omega careening over the barricade and on the announce table. Naito took Omega and hit a piledriver not on the table, which was supposed to be the intended target, but on the floor in a scary spot.
Naito focused on the neck, going to the second rope and dropping Omega from the top with a neckbreaker. Omega countered with a reverse rana then laid out Naito with a big tope con hilo to the floor. Omega hit a missile dropkick right in the back of Naito’s head.
Omega hit a German suplex and a knee neckbreaker and next went for the v-trigger. Naito dodged, but a German suplex attempt has Omega on his feet. Naito instead hit the satellite DDT. Naito looked to hit a hurricanrana off the top rope but Omega slid under, smashed him face first on the turnbuckle and hit the v-trigger.
Naito fired back with a DDT, then continued to work on Omega’s neck. Naito took what is normally Gloria but instead dumped him right on his neck. Naito went for Destino but Omega held on and dropped Naito right on the back of the neck for another nearfall.
Naito took Omega to the top rope, but Omega slipped off and instead Naito’s head crashed into the turnbuckle. Omega went for a powerbomb but in mid air Naito reversed it, then took Omega back up and hit a scary looking reverse rana off the top rope, landing right on his head. Naito went for the stardust press, but Omega escaped, sending Naito crashing to the mat.
Omega hit a double underhook piledriver and landed a v-trigger right in Naito’s jaw, then another. He went for a third, but Naito fell to the floor. Omega went for it again, but Naito grabbed him. Omega managed to hit it anyway then landed a gutwrench powerbomb. Naito hit another and went for the One Winged Angel but Naito countered with a reverse rana.
Naito hit Destino, but OMega kicked out. He went for another, but Omega countered with the Croyt’s wrath and another v-trigger, and again another. Omega went for the One Winged Angel, but Naito countered with the Destino.
The two battled one another. Omega hit the v-trigger, but Naito blasted him with a koppo kick. Naito went for Destino. Omega dodged it, but didn’t a second time. A third Destino seals the deal for Naito as he wins the 27th G1 tournament.
Naito was given the trophy, and Masahiro Chono came in to hand him the G1 flag. Naito cut a promo after the match, thanking the fans and saying it was a win for them. He fist bumped everyone, including Daryl, who has miraculously come back to life, to end the show.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Top to bottom, this was a very good show, highlighted by the awesome main event and the great tag team title matches. This show wasn’t just good in terms of match quality, but it was great in setting up the rest of the year — everyone has a title program going into Destruction and it’s clear what New Japan is planning leading to WrestleKingdom 12.
Top that off with the return of Shibata and this was one emotional, amazing card that’ll take a few days (at least for me) to process at just how good it was. To reiterate a point I made on Twitter, New Japan isn’t perfect, and has its fair share of problems. But in terms of delivering a consistently great product, they’re one of the best promotions in the world, and tonight was a clear example.
In addition to the Tetsuya Naito vs. Kenny Omega main event, New Japan Pro Wrestling has revealed the full card for the G1 Climax 27 finals. A number of tag team bouts, two title matches, and the G1 finals are all scheduled to go down.
All of the new matches announced for tonight are tag bouts. The co-main event is a ten-man tag, with CHAOS members Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & Gedo facing EVIL, SANADA, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI of Los Ingobernables de Japon.
In six man action, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi & Michael Elgin will square off with Minoru Suzuki, Zack Sabre Jr. & Takashi Iizuka. Another six-man has Juice Robinson, Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Bad Luck Fale, Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens.
War Machine defending their IWGP tag titles against Cody & Hangman Page was previously announced for the show, along with The Young Bucks vs. Ryusuke Taguchi & Ricochet for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight tag belts.
We will have live coverage of the event later tonight/early Sunday morning at 2 a.m. ET. The full lineup is as follows:
Tetsuya Naito vs. Kenny Omega in the G1 Climax 27 finals (winner earns a briefcase to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at next year’s Tokyo Dome show)
The third encounter in perhaps the biggest rivalry of the year is set to take place at Sumo Hall this morning as Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega face off in the B Block finals of the G1 Climax.
They are the only two left in contention at this point. Okada has the edge heading into the match as following his draw with Minoru Suzuki, he has 13 points to Omega’s 12. Okada can advance with a draw, but Omega needs to pin Okada in order to make it to the finals.
Other B Block matches tonight include Michael Elgin taking on Juice Robinson, Tama Tonga squaring off against SANADA, Minoru Suzuki trying to outwit Toru Yano, and Satoshi Kojima facing EVIL.
Join us this morning at 5:30 a.m. ET for live results. The show will have English commentary available with Kevin Kelly, Don Callis, and Rocky Romero calling the action.
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El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Taichi defeated Jushin Thunder Liger, KUSHIDA and Hirai Kawato
Liger got a hot tag early and looked great, dominating and laying out all three members of Suzuki-gun. KUSHIDA and Desperado went at it as well, since they are having a title match somewhere down the line. They teased an encounter before the G1 shows, and Desperado has picked up a multitude of wins during these last 17 shows.
Kawato came in and had Desperado in the Boston crab but Taichi and Kanemaru came in to even the odds. Desperado followed through with the Angel’s wings for the win.
Desperado blasted KUSHIDA with the IWGP Jr. after the match.
Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI defeated Chase Owens, Tanga Roa and Yujiro Takahashi
This was a good back and forth tag team match. Owens came in and nearly had the package piledriver on Goto. He fought back, hit the ushigiroshi and followed with the GTR for the win.
Takashi Iizuka and Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Yuji Nagata and Togi Makabe
Heels took Nagata and Makabe to the outside. Iizuka blasted Makabe with a chair. Mostly just an okay match. Iizuka is just as good as you remember him being; what that entails is up to you to decide. He used the iron fingers to blast Nagata, then Sabre followed with a penalty kick for the win.
Cody, Young Bucks, Hangman Page and Bad Luck Fale defeated War Machine, Ricochet, Ryusuke Taguchi and Katsuya Kitamura
There was a fun spot early where Rowe took out half the Bullet Club with back breakers and gut busters. Fale came in for the save, and what do you know, Rowe can’t do what he just did to the other members of the Bullet Club.
Young Bucks, Page and Cody all went for the moonsault but Taguchi Japan cut them off. They piled up Bullet Club and had Hanson go on top but Fale came in for the save. Everyone came in for spots, eventually leaving most of Bullet Club out of the ring.
Ricochet came flying first with a twisting Sasuke special. Hanson followed with a somersault to the outside. Kitamura hit the ropes, but Page came in with a clothesline, then followed with the rite of passage (Omori driver) for the win.
Juice Robinson defeated Michael Elgin
This was a really good match. Nothing fancy or anything, but there were a few really great spots and the finish was nice. If there is one person in this tournament who should have higher stock following the G1, it’s Juice.
Elgin wiped out Robinson on the outside with a big somersault to the floor. Robinson made a pretty good comeback. He laid out Elgin with a DDT but ate an enziguri as he hopped off the top rope. Robinson caught Elgin with a full nelson slam for a two count.
Robinson captured Elgin as he was going to the top rope and landed a powerbomb. He motioned for the pulp friction, but Elgin escaped…only to be caught with a gutbuster. Robinson went for a somersault into the corner, but Elgin grabbed him and gave him the buckle bomb. Robison quickly came back with a flash cover, but Elgin kicked out.
Elgin went for a burning hammer, but Robinson escaped and hit a big punch. Elgin reversed the pulp friction, but Robinson met him with another punch and finally got the pulp friction for the win.
Robinson wanted to shake hands after the match. Elgin obliged, then left as Robinson celebrated.
Tama Tonga defeated SANADA
This was fine, not much to talk about. Just a nice back and forth match. SANADA and Tonga showed great agility towards one another early. SANADA got the advantage and put Tonga in the paradise lock, leading to Tanga Roa and Yujiro Takahashi to come in for some help. Roa made himself helpful by taking out SANADA on the outside with a lariat.
Back in the ring, Tonga hit a gun stun and also hit a twist and shout neckbreaker. SANADA escaped one gun stun attempt, but then walked right into another for the win.
Toru Yano defeated Minoru Suzuki
Suzuki jumped Yano immediately at the bell and took him to the floor. Taichi, who was seconding Suzuki, jumped into the fray. He took him back to the ring. Yano managed to undo a turnbuckle, but Suzuki mostly dominated.
Yano gave Suzuki an atomic drop on the outside and tried to tape Suzuki’s legs, but it doesn’t work. Instead, Suzuki ties up HIS legs. He puts Yano in the sleeper. He started to argue with the referee as Taichi came in with a chair. Rocky Romero, who was on commentary, came in to make the save. Suzuki took him out as Yano came with some tape. Suzuki fought back, but did eventually get wrapped up in tape, got low blowed, and was pinned with a roll up.
Suzuki was incensed about the loss, attacking every young lion he saw after the match with a chair and fumed to the back.
EVIL defeated Satoshi Kojima
Kojima gave EVIL a bunch of chops in the corner and hit the elbow. He went for a roaring elbow, but EVIL fought back. Kojima blocked EVIL’s attacks and hit a koji cutter, then laid him out with a giant DDT on the apron.
EVIL managed to catch Kojima in a waistlock and landed a German suplex, then followed with the darkness falls. EVIL did a throat slash, motioning for the STO but Kojima fought out of it. He kept no selling EVIL’s lariats until he busted out one of his own, taking out EVIL.
Kojima followed with a brainbuster. He went for one more lariat and countered EVIL’s attempt at an STO. EVIL, however, headbutted Kojima and followed through with the STO, securing the win in a very nice back and forth match.
Kenny Omega defeated Kazuchika Okada
Yes, I can confirm that this was better than their other two matches — well, at least in my own opinion. While those matches were amazing in their own right, I honestly can’t think of how you can have a better 20-25 minute match like this one. Once again, both Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada have demonstrated what a big time pro wrestling is in 2017, and it’s pretty damn amazing.
This felt like a hot match from the very start, ditching the slow pace of usual big NJPW main events and never cooled down. Just hot, frenetic action from the start. Add in the drama with Okada’s neck (the doctor spot was so well done), along with an array of incredible moves, both guys pulling out all the stops with a hot crowd and, well, I can’t think of a better match you’ll see all year. Well, except the G1 Finals are tomorrow, and you know how that goes…
They start off with guns blazing as Omega immediately went for a V-trigger. A very exciting minute of action ensues as Okada gets Omega on the top rope and dropkicks him to the floor. Omega throws him into the barricade, then lands a big boot that sends him to the floor. Omega hits a giant running crossbody, sending them crashing onto a row of chairs.
Okada hits the elbow and the rainmaker pose. Omega immediately took him to the floor and hit a big crossbody to the outside. Okada smashes his neck against the guardrail. Omega took Okada back to the ring and made a point to score a missile dropkick right in the back of Okada’s neck.
Omega continued to work on the neck, looking for a piledriver but Okada countered with a back body drop. Omega fired back with a rolling senton. Okada got the knees up with a moonsault attempt, but Omega countered with a hurricanrana and a dropkick to the neck., but Okada came back to the ring and hit a flapjack.
Omega tried for a springboard, but Okada dropkicked him, sending him to the floor. Omega countered with a reverse rana to the floor. A doctor and some other officials checked in on him. Omega would have none of it continued the attack, hitting a dragon suplex on the apron and lifted him up with a knee neckbreaker…but Okada kicked out.
At the fifteen minute mark, Omega continued the assault, hitting Okada with a v-trigger square to the face. Okada started to get angry, grabbed Omega’s knee and started to fight back, hitting a tombstone. Omega took him to the top rope and went for a fisherman’s buster but Okada sent him back to the floor, then delivered a big dropkick to the back of Omega’s head.
Omega hit a v-trigger again as they did more back and forth, but Okada fought back with a German suplex. Omega hit a big time uranage, but Okada was able to fight back with a rainmaker, only for Omega to kick out at two.
Omega hit a backslide, but Okada hit another rainmaker and held on to the wrist. Okada hit another, then went for one more but Omega ducked and hit a German suplex, then another. Okada fired back with elbows, but Omega neutralized him with a reverse rana. Omega went for the One Winged Angel, but Okada tried to escape, so he transitioned it into the Croyt’s wrath.
Okada came back with one more dropkick and went for the rainmaker but Omega countered, grabbed the wrist and landed a v-trigger. He finally hit the One Winged Angel and pinned Okada to not only beat Okada for the first time, but also to win the B Block.
Omega cut a promo in Japanese before going into his match with Tetsuya Naito tomorrow. Naito, as well as Los Ingobernables de Japon, is so good and so popular. The problem is, however, everyone here is wearing Bullet Club, Kenny Omega and Elite shirts. He will win and become the first ever two time gaijin winner of the G1 Climax.
We are nearing the light at the end of the tunnel as the finals of the A Block will take place this morning as the G1 comes to Sumo Hall for three straight nights.
Only two people are alive in the block, and coincidentally both are in the main event as Hiroshi Tanahashi will battle Tetsuya Naito. In their last meeting earlier this year, Tanahashi beat Naito to win the IWGP Intercontinental title. Will Naito get his revenge, or will the self-professed ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling claim another victory?
Though Tanahashi vs. Naito will determine the winner, other A Block matches will also take place. The final matches in the block include Kota Ibushi taking on Hirooki Goto, Bad Luck Fale facing Yuji Nagata, Togi Makabe squaring off against YOSHI-HASHI, and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Zack Sabre Jr. in a rematch from last month’s great bout in Long Beach.
Join us for live coverage this morning at 5:30 a.m. ET. The show will feature English commentary by Kevin Kelly, Don Callis and Rocky Romero.
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Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado and Taichi defeated Katsuya Kitamura, Hirai Kawato and Tomoyuki Oka
This was fine. One thing I noticed is that even though Kitamura is still a young lion, he’s given more spots to look good. Suzuki nailed Kitamura with hard slaps, but countered with a suplex. Kawato came in and looked pretty good, but eventually was taken out by Desperado and was pinned with the angel’s wings.
Guerillas of Destiny defeated BUSHI and SANADA
A pretty decent tag team match. SANADA came off as such a superior athlete. GoD hit the Guerilla Warfare but SANADA broke it up. Tonga quickly finished things back in the ring as SANADA was taken to the outside as he quickly pinned BUSHI with the gun stun.
Satoshi Kojima and Juice Robinson defeated EVIL and Hiromu Takahashi
Another good tag team bout. Robinson and Kojima worked well as a team, which played into the match. Robinson blasted him with a lariat and finished with the pulp friction for the win. EVIL and Kojima had a staredown after the match.
War Machine, Michael Elgin, Ryusuke Taguchi and Ricochet defeated Young Bucks, Cody, Chase Owens and Hangman Page
This was a really fun match, full of fun dives and energy. Ricochet did a dive on the outside, wiping out all of Bullet Club. Elgin followed, then Hanson was going up top when the Bullet Club cut him off. Cody missed the moonsault, but missed. Same thing for Hangman Page, then the Young Bucks. After Chase Owens missed his attempt, Hanson went on top and landed one of his own.
Ricochet wiped out Bullet Club on the outside following the Sasuke special. Elgin finished off Owens, hitting the Elgin bomb for the win.
Kazuchika Okada and Toru Yano defeated Kenny Omega and Yujiro Takahashi
This really didn’t last long. The commentators put over that Okada may be injured going into the match against Omega tomorrow as his neck was all bandaged up. Omega and Okada battled on the outside as Yano did his usual business in the ring against Yujiro. He eventually finished the match the same way he’s done all tour: distract the ref, low blow, roll up pin.
A Block matches —
Bad Luck Fale defeated Yuji Nagata
This was great. Since this was Nagata’s last G1 match ever, people were into the idea of him winning and were with him from the start.
Fale dominated early, taking him out of the ring and choking him on the mat. They teased a countout spot, which had fans frenetic, but he made it to the ring in time. Nagata fights back, targeting a leg. He soon was able to follow with an exploder after initially being unable.
Fale clubs him with punches as he attempts to gain control again. He goes for the grenade, but Nagata grabs the arm and sinks in the armbar. Nagata transitions into an ankle lock, then follows that with the Nagata lock.
Nagata hits a knee in the corner and hits the backdrop driver, but Fale kicks out. Fale soon countered with a spear. He went for the grenade, but Nagata escaped. Fale hit a clothesline and followed with the Bad Luck Fall for the win.
Bad Luck Fale held up the too sweet sign after the match in a show of respect. Nagata opted to throw his signature hand sign instead. Fale bowed in a show of respect as he left the ring. Nagata (as well as announcer Shinpei Nogami) was clearly emotional as a bunch of people held up Blue Justice posters. He made his exit, his music playing.
Togi Makabe defeated YOSHI-HASHI
This was pretty good. The work was good, plus the crowd were hot for everything which helped a lot.
Mostly some nice back and forth during the bulk of the match. Makabe looked to go for the knee drop but YH moved out of the way and followed up with the lariat. He went for the butterfly lock, but Makabe powered out.
Makabe made a comeback, fought YOSHI-HASHI on the top rope then hit the spider suplex. He followed up with the King Kong knee drop for the win.
Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Tomohiro Ishii
(By Joseph Currier)
This was a rematch from the IWGP US title tournament in Long Beach, and it was near the same high standard of their first meeting.
Sabre tried to start with mat wrestling, but Ishii was able to counter him until they stood up. They went back to the mat, where they again reached a stalemate as ZSJ bridged up. He delivered an uppercut as Ishii invited him to try some more strikes. Ishii struck back and laid Sabre out after he obliged.
Ishii gained control with strikes, chopping Sabre against the ropes and into the turnbuckle. Sabre fired back by Pele kicking his arm and taking him down. He began to focus on the arm and wrist while applying pressure to it.
Ishii was eventually able to counter with a back suplex and gained control again until Sabre got a choke in the ropes and applied an armbar. Sabre worked on the wrist and bent it back, but Ishii was able to grab the ropes.
Sabre hit kicks to a kneeling Ishii, with Ishii again inviting him to strike as he made it back to his feet. Ishii hit him with a punch, but Sabre replied by grounding him with a dropkick to the legs. After getting back on offense, Ishii hit a brainbuster off the top rope for two.
Sabre went for a submission before Ishii threw him into the turnbuckle from a fireman’s carry position and hit a German suplex. Ishii got two off of a powerbomb, but it allowed Sabre to reverse into a triangle. Ishii tried to power up, eventually laying out ZSJ with a lariat. He went for another before ZSJ got a choke, transitioned into a slam, and hit a penalty kick for two.
As Ishii tried to kick out, ZSJ maintained the upper hand by putting his bad knee in a kneebar. Ishii got to the ropes, but Sabre kept focusing on the knee with stomps to the back of it. Ishii slammed his own head into the turnbuckle a few times as he tried to work through the pain. He dared Sabre to keep kicking him, and floored him with a chop when he did.
Ishii connected with punches and went for a dragon suplex, but ZSJ countered into a pin for a near fall. He put on an ankle lock while also wrapping his leg around Ishii’s bad knee. Ishii got an ankle lock of his own, hit Sabre with a headbutt to the chest, and followed with a lariat for a near fall.
Sabre countered Ishii into a head and arm submission when he went for the sliding D. Sabre kept Ishii from the ropes and switched to focusing on Ishii’s better leg while also delivering kicks to his back. He didn’t tap out, but the referee called for the bell as Ishii passed out.
Hirooki Goto defeated Kota Ibushi
Goto took out Ibushi early with a clothesline on the apron, sending him to the barricade. Ibushi soon fought back, landing some good offense and hitting the standing moonsault for a near fall. Ibushi hit a German suplex, but Goto fired right back with a clothesline.
Ibushi escaped Goto’s clutches from the top rope and hit a Pele kick. He goes to the top, but Ibushi is met with resistance. Goto fights back, sending him down to the floor, but counters by hitting a hurricanrana off the top rope.
Goto caught Ibushi, but him in the Samoan driver position and hit the ushigiroshi. Goto followed with a big penalty kick. Goto takes him up, but Ibushi counters with a roll up. Kamigoye attempt by Ibushi, but Goto maintains wrist control and hits a reverse GTR, then the real thing for the win. This was another really good, borderline great match.
The announcers speculated after the match where Kota Ibushi would go next. They did bring up the win against Hiroshi Tanahashi, making it at least plausible he could be contending for that title next.
Tetsuya Naito defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi
This was an excellent back and forth main event, expertly showcasing the great chemistry they have with one another. I’d have to go and rewatch their match from Dominion, but I think both matches were about on par with one another.
They took it to the ropes early, where Tanahashi hugged Naito, I guess in a psych out spot. Tanahashi slapped Naito, setting the tone of the match. Naito went to do his pose in the middle of the ring, but Tanahashi, who was on the outside, came back in and started to stomp on him.
Naito soon found an opening with Tanahashi’s hurt arm. Tanahashi fought back, leading to a series of great offense. Tanahashi misses the senton off the middle rope, but takes out Naito, sending him to the outside and allowing himself to hit the high fly flow to the floor, wiping out Naito.
Naito grabbed Tanahashi’s arm and slingshot it, sending Tanahashi to the floor in pain. He followed with a dropkick, again on the center of the injured arm. He hits Gloria and went for the Destino next but instead Tanahashi countered with a German suplex. Naito went for a super hurricanrana off the top rope, but Tanahashi rolled through with a cradle and got a near fall.
Tanahashi fought back against a dragon suplex attempt, sidestepped Naito and hit two slingblades. He hit one high fly flow, but missed a second one. Naito went for a satellite DDT, but Tanahashi grabbed Naito’s leg and sent him to the floor with a dragon screw. He wrapped Naito in the Texas Cloverleaf. Naito struggled to make it to the ropes, but eventually made it.
At the 25 minute mark, Naito hit the Destino, then went for a second but Tanahashi hit three twist and shout neckbreakers. Tanahashi hit the ropes for a sling blade, but Naito fired back with not one, but two Destinos to win the A Block.
Tetsuya Naito is the first person to advance to the G1 Climax 27 finals. He cut a shot promo, including the LIJ roll call, to end the show.
Kanagawa was home to the last G1 show before the Sumo Hall events this weekend. After everything that went on tonight, we now have a clearer picture of how the winner of the B Block will be decided.
Prelim matches —
– Chase Owens defeated Tomoyuki Oka with the package piledriver.
– Zack Sabre Jr. & El Desperado defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Shota Umino when Desperado submitted Umino with the stretch muffler.
– Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi defeated Yuji Nagata & Katsuya Kitamura when Takahashi pinned Kitamura with the Pimp Juice DDT.
– Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI defeated Kota Ibushi, Togi Makabe & Hirai Kawato when Ishii submitted Kawato with a Boston crab.
– Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ryusuke Taguchi & David Finlay defeated Tetsuya Naito, BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi when Taguchi submitted BUSHI with the ankle lock. Naito focused on Tanahashi’s bicep as well as a leg, which may be the story heading into their match at the A Block finals.
B Block matches —
Tama Tonga defeated Satoshi Kojima
Tonga attacked Kojima at the bell, putting on his entrance coat and laying a beating. There was standard back-and-forth stuff from there. Tonga gained control until Kojima started to make a comeback.
Kojima gave Tonga a lariat that sent him to the floor. Kojima continued to gain control until Tonga dodged two lariat attempts and hit the Gun Stun for the win. Not a bad match by any means, but it was just there.
Juice Robinson defeated Toru Yano
This was a match mostly filled with comedy. There was one spot where Yano tied Robinson’s braids on the guardrail, causing him to nearly lose via countout until he rolled in just in the nick of time…and ran right into the exposed turnbuckle that Yano had just undone.
Yano did his usual grabbing the ref/low blow spot, but Robinson fired back with a big punch and laid him out with the Pulp Friction for the win.
Michael Elgin defeated EVIL
They had a pretty good match that turned great towards the last few minutes of it. The crowd was molten for every counter they did, which made it pretty damn exciting.
EVIL dominated early, jumping Elgin right at the bell and unleashing a torrent of offense. He went to do something off the top rope, but Elgin caught him and turned it into a falcon arrow.
Elgin went to the top rope, stood on top, and hit a giant superplex. EVIL blocked a buckle bomb attempt, and from there they had a super hot back-and-forth exchange. Elgin hit a Razor’s Edge powerbomb. He followed that with a lariat and an Elgin bomb to pick up the win.
Kenny Omega defeated SANADA
This was good, but it felt like they were just starting to go somewhere when the match ended rather abruptly. Good, but not great.
There was a scary spot early where Omega tried to lay out SANADA with a moonsault DDT off the guardrail but landed on his head on impact. He seemed fine after, but it looked scary.
Omega was in control until SANADA took him out with a crossbody to the floor. Omega went for the One Winged Angel, but SANADA countered with a hurricanrana. Omega escaped from a Skull End attempt and fired back with a dragon suplex and a V-Trigger, but SANADA kicked out.
The two went at it, escaping each other’s moves. Omega escaped another Skull End attempt. SANADA went to counter by floating over Omega, but instead Omega grabbed him, transitioned into the One Winged Angel, and pinned him.
Kazuchika Okada and Minoru Suzuki went to a 30-minute time limit draw
This was an incredible match, in my opinion much better than the match they had back in February. An absolutely intense battle with Suzuki playing his role super well as the tough veteran exposing Okada’s weakness (his bandaged neck) and never relenting, causing the youthful warrior Okada to continue to fight back. Just a fantastic back-and-forth match.
Okada’s neck was all taped up. He took control early until, as the theme has been for the last year, Desperado and Taichi got involved. The young lions at ringside took them away, leaving it just between Suzuki and Okada, with the former ripping off the bandage on Okada’s neck and working on it instantly.
Suzuki went for a penalty kick, but Okada blocked it and started to trade punches. Suzuki went for the sleeper, but Okada countered with a suplex. Okada went for the Rainmaker until Suzuki countered with a guillotine choke. Okada tried to fire back with a tombstone, but Suzuki escaped and then nailed him with a dropkick.
Okada nailed a dropkick to the back of Suzuki’s head and hit a cradle tombstone piledriver. Suzuki dodged the Rainmaker, then escaped the tombstone and hit one of his own. Suzuki continued the assault, grinding down Okada and pelting him with kicks.
Suzuki followed up with an octopus hold. He tried for the Gotch piledriver, but Okada blocked it. Suzuki hit the ropes, but Okada fired back with a dropkick, then another one off the top rope.
He went for the Rainmaker, but Suzuki countered with a sleeper suplex and kept him down on the mat. Okada struggled to make it to the ropes, but Suzuki got him on his back. Eventually, Okada did escape, grabbing the ropes.
Suzuki unleashed his fury on Okada with a barrage of punches. He picked up a prone Okada, only to get blasted with a Rainmaker. He slowly got back up and landed a second. Okada went for a third, but Suzuki again blasted him with a ton of open hand slaps. Okada started to fire back with some of his own.
Suzuki, putting his hands down, invited Okada to slap him some more. He stuffed Okada’s attempt at a tombstone and tried for the Gotch piledriver, but again Okada blocked him. Suzuki went for the sleeper again. Okada quickly countered with a Rainmaker and tried to make a cover, but couldn’t reach Suzuki in time as the time limit expired.
As far as who’s alive, it’s relatively simple. Tied at twelve points each, whoever wins between Tanahashi and Naito on August 11th wins the A Block and makes it to the finals.
It also boils down to Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada in the B Block on August 12th. With this morning’s draw, Omega needs the win, but Okada would advance with a win or a draw.
We’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as the conclusion of the G1 Climax is nearing. The final week of action kicked off in Shizuoka this morning, with A Block tournament matches taking place. Following yesterday’s upsets, will tonight be more of the same?
Prelim matches —
– Juice Robinson & David Finlay defeated Katsuya Kitamura & Tomoyuki Oka when Finlay pinned Oka following a stunner.
– EVIL & Hiromu Takahashi defeated Michael Elgin & Hirai Kawato when Takahashi submitted Kawato with the Boston crab.
– Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi defeated Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan after Tonga laid out Tenzan with the Gun Stun.
– SANADA & BUSHI defeated Kenny Omega & Chase Owens when SANADA submitted Owens with the Skull End.
– Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano & Gedo defeated Minoru Suzuki, Taichi & El Desperado when Yano ripped off Taichi’s pants and rolled him up.
A Block matches —
Yuji Nagata defeated Zack Sabre Jr.
Great match. They combined Nagata’s stiffness with Sabre’s great wrestling ability to have a nice back-and-forth encounter.
They started off with some mat wrestling. Desperado grabbed Nagata’s leg, but he remained undaunted as he took out Sabre with a big boot. Sabre transitioned and used his feet to strike Nagata’s wrist, taking it into his control and stomping it.
There was more mat wrestling as Nagata took down Sabre and applied a crossface. He picked up Sabre for an exploder, but Sabre transitioned it into a guillotine, then went back to working on Nagata’s wrist. Sabre got Nagata in a triangle choke, but Nagata popped out and transitioned into his trademark armbar.
They each took shots at their injured arms, striking each other with kicks. Nagata went for the back suplex until Sabre countered with the octopus stretch. Nagata escaped and hit a brainbuster. Sabre kicked out of one back suplex, but he didn’t kick out of a second, giving Yuji Nagata his first win of the tournament.
Kota Ibushi defeated YOSHI-HASHI
They had another great back-and-forth match. The last couple of minutes were awesome. Ibushi always knows when to turn it up and YOSHI-HASHI does as well.
Both wrestlers got some shine early, striking one another with some very good offense. YOSHI-HASHI countered a clothesline and hit Ibushi with the headhunter neckbreaker. Ibushi came back with a hurricanrana and took out YH with the golden triangle moonsault on the outside.
YOSHI-HASHI came back with the swanton bomb and sunk in the butterfly lock. Ibushi fought on, but YH wouldn’t let it go. Ibushi got out of it, grabbed YH’s wrists and went for the Kamigoye, but YH would headbutt back whenever Ibushi tried to strike. YOSHI-HASHI finally cut off Ibushi with his own press powerbomb.
Continuing to gain momentum, YOSHI-HASHI hit a running meteora and went for Karma, but Ibushi floated over and struck YOSHI-HASHI with a kick to the head. He hit the last ride, but YOSHI-HASHI kicked out. The Kamigoye, however, sealed the deal.
Bad Luck Fale defeated Hirooki Goto
Goto tried to whittle down Fale with kicks, but it didn’t work as Fale quickly dispatched him to the outside. Fale took one of Goto’s legs and slammed it against the ring post, giving him something to work with.
Fighting back, Goto gained momentum by clotheslining Fale. He tried lifting him up on his shoulders but couldn’t get it done. Goto tried for the GTR, but Fale raked him in the eyes. He went for a lariat, but Fale came back with one of his own.
Goto escaped a Bad Luck Fall attempt, but then walked right into a Grenade, giving Fale a win in a pretty good bout.
Tetsuya Naito defeated Togi Makabe
Makabe started off hot on Naito’s trail as he took him out of the ring and brawled with him into the crowd. Naito cut him off and took him back to the ring, where he started to build momentum.
Naito tried for the satellite DDT, but Makabe threw him off and hit the kneeling powerbomb. Makabe then took Naito to the top rope and smashed his head repeatedly into the turnbuckle in nasty fashion. Eventually, he did land the spider German suplex. He went to finish with the King Kong knee drop, but Naito rolled out of the way.
Naito countered back with a koppo kick and went for the Destino, but Makabe blocked it and hit a lariat. Naito hit what looked like a reverse Destino, then followed with another for the win in a great match.
Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Tomohiro Ishii
I don’t know if this was as good as their previous bouts, but this was still one hell of a main event. There was excellent, high-impact work between the two with some exciting reversal spots near the end.
They went back and forth on one another early, exchanging brutal chops. Tanahashi went after a leg. He took Ishii to the top rope and tried to launch him off, but he wouldn’t budge until Tanahashi took him out with a dragon screw.
Ishii started to build momentum with a dragon suplex, but Tanahashi countered right back with a slingblade. Tanahashi missed a High Fly Flow attempt, but countered Ishii’s sliding D attempt into a crucifix. Tanahashi continued his work on Ishii’s legs, unloading with a few dragon screws before sinking in a cloverleaf.
After repeatedly going after Ishii’s bum leg, Tanahashi’s fortune turned against him as Ishii gave one of his legs a stunner and started to work on it. Ishii went for a knee crusher until Tanahashi countered with a slingblade, only for Ishii to come right back with a lariat.
Ishii wrapped Tanahashi in a sharpshooter, but he quickly made it to the ropes. Ishii got a setback as Tanahashi gave him a dragon screw, but he met Tanahashi on the top rope and unleashed a big superplex. Ishii tried to follow with a brainbuster, but Tanahashi hit two twist and shout neckbreakers. Ishii tried for it again, but this time Tanahashi took him out with a dragon suplex.
They battled it out, with both kicking out at one as they exchanged moves. Tanahashi crawled to the corner and went for the High Fly Flow, and it connected. A second followed, and Tanahashi scored the win.
Tanahashi, looking exhausted and selling his leg, cut a short promo to close out the show. Only Tanahashi and Naito are in contention heading into their match at the A Block finals on August 11th.
Interesting developments took place this morning in the B Block as the G1 rolled into Osaka. Kazuchika Okada faced EVIL in the main event, while Kenny Omega battled Juice Robinson in the co-main.
I won’t spoil the results in the opening paragraph, but it’s safe to say that after tonight the story of the B Block is that both Okada and Omega are having very similar G1 experiences thus far.
Prelim matches —
– Chase Owens defeated Katsuya Kitamura with the package piledriver.
– Zack Sabre Jr., Taichi & El Desperado defeated Yuji Nagata, Shota Umino & Ren Narita when Desperado submitted Umino with the stretch muffler.
– Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Tomoyuki Oka when Takahashi pinned Oka with the Pimp Juice DDT.
– Tetsuya Naito, BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi defeated Togi Makabe, Hirai Kawato & Tiger Mask IV when BUSHI submitted Kawato with an elevated Boston crab.
– Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi & David Finlay when Goto pinned Finlay with the GTR.
B Block matches —
Toru Yano defeated Tama Tonga
This didn’t last long. Tonga grabbed the ring bell hammer and tried to use it on Yano as they both entered the ring. The ref tried to take it away from Tonga. In the confusion, Yano low blowed Tonga and pinned him in a surprise. Not particularly good at all.
Mr. August himself, Masahiro Chono, was on commentary for tonight’s matches.
Satoshi Kojima defeated SANADA
Fairly standard start to the match. Kojima gained the early momentum, but SANADA ended up low blowing him. Kojima retaliated but got cut off with a SANADA springboard dropkick.
SANADA took Kojima down with the Skull End as Tenzan willed his partner to make it to the ropes. After the ref let Kojima’s hand fall twice, SANADA went to the top rope for the moonsault, but Kojima dodged just in the nick of time.
SANADA went for another moonsault, but Kojima avoided it, got up, and managed to whack SANADA in the back of the head with a lariat. SANADA went for the Skull End, but Kojima maneuvered it into an inverted DDT, then laid out SANADA with two more lariats to pick up his first win of the tournament. This was pretty good and told a nice story.
Michael Elgin defeated Minoru Suzuki
I found this to be disappointing for a first-time match. I know Suzuki-gun’s gimmick is that they interfere a bunch, but they did too much of it in this match to the point it was overkill. The match was good, but not great.
Desperado and Taichi made themselves known early, continually interfering outside of the ring as Suzuki gained control, beating Elgin with a chair. He wrapped Elgin’s arm against a chair and slammed it on the ring post.
Elgin countered back with a couple of roaring elbows but was taken down with a Suzuki armbar. Desperado hit him with a chair as Suzuki sunk it in again, but Elgin managed to lift up Suzuki and released himself from the hold by throwing him to the floor.
Elgin hit the buckle bomb, but Suzuki fell on the ref, allowing Taichi and Desperado to interfere yet again. Elgin took them both down, then went to finish off Suzuki, but Suzuki instead latched on the sleeper. Elgin cut him off upon release, then hit the Elgin bomb for the big win.
That probably gives Elgin a shot at the NEVER title later this fall.
Juice Robinson defeated Kenny Omega
They had a really good match. Robinson has been connecting well with the crowd and is excellent at selling, which played a big part in the match. The surprise win and the shock from the crowd was great.
Omega gave Robinson a suplex out of the ring, hurting his leg in the process. Omega quickly took note of the injury and began working on it, wrapping Robinson’s legs on the turnbuckle and sinking in a figure four leglock. Lifting the injured leg, Omega threw him into a nearby table, which proceeded to not break.
After more work on the leg, Robinson came back with a full nelson slam. He went for the Pulp Friction a couple of times, but Omega found ways to escape. He laid out Robinson with a V-Trigger, though Robinson came back with a hard shot to the face.
Robinson went for it again, but Omega countered with a reverse rana. Omega followed with a big V-Trigger and went for the One Winged Angel until Robinson countered with a small package and got the three count, scoring a big win.
If Omega ends up winning the whole thing, Robinson could be a challenger for the briefcase down the line.
EVIL defeated Kazuchika Okada
This was such a great match, and it was different than your usual Okada matches. EVIL has established himself as a brawler and he brought it to Okada, with a lot of cool spots and great false finishes. The surprise win, and how it was executed, was absolutely awesome. This isn’t the best match of the tournament, but it’s awfully close.
Okada mostly dominated the match until going for his rolling splash off the apron — EVIL pushed him off the ring instead and began attacking him on the outside, using the usual chair spot to gain the advantage.
Back in the ring, it was mostly a very good back-and-forth affair. Okada hit the elbow and went for the Rainmaker, but EVIL grabbed him by the hair and hit a superkick. They went to the outside, where Okada hit a big boot, sending EVIL out of the ring. He went to jump over the barricade but instead ate a chair right in the face thanks to EVIL.
EVIL set up a pile of chairs in the crowd and laid Okada out with the Darkness Falls on the chairs. He took him back in the ring and hit another Darkness Falls. He went for the STO, but Okada blocked it, so he took him to the top rope. Okada fought it off, then hit a really amazing looking missile dropkick to a kneeling EVIL.
They continued to battle back and forth until Okada nailed a dropkick right in the back of EVIL’s head, then followed with another. EVIL escaped a Rainmaker attempt. Okada kept on the assault until EVIL hit two lariats for a great near fall.
EVIL went for the STO, but Okada launched back with a Rainmaker, then followed with another. When he went for a third, EVIL blasted him with a headbutt and went for the STO once again, but Okada countered with a German suplex. He went for a fourth Rainmaker, but in mid-motion EVIL hooked Okada’s leg and landed the STO to pick up the shock win.
This more than likely sets up a title match between Okada and EVIL for later on in the year.
EVIL cut a promo after the match, saying “Welcome to the darkness world.”
Ehime was home to the thirteenth G1 Climax 27 show, featuring action from the A block. In the main event, Hiroshi Tanahashi took on Togi Makabe. Before that, Tetsuya Naito faced off against Zack Sabre Jr. in their first-ever singles battle in the semi-main event.
Prelim matches —
– Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi defeated Katsuya Kitamura & Tomoyuki Oka when Takahashi pinned Kitamura with the Pimp Juice DDT.
– Minoru Suzuki, Taichi & El Desperado defeated Michael Elgin, Tiger Mask IV & Hirai Kawato when Desperado pinned Kawato with the Angel’s Wings.
– Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan defeated SANADA & BUSHI after Kojima hit BUSHI with a lariat.
– Juice Robinson & David Finlay defeated Kenny Omega & Chase Owens when Robinson pinned Owens with the Pulp Friction.
– Kazuchika Okada & Toru Yano defeated EVIL & Hiromu Takahashi when Yano rolled up Takahashi for a flash pin.
A Block matches —
Kota Ibushi defeated Yuji Nagata
Nagata once again continued to prove he’s one of the best workers around at his age. This was great, with the crowd totally wanting to see Nagata pick up his first win in the tournament. Ibushi’s resilience to all the damage he absorbed during the match was something to behold as well.
They mat wrestled early, with Nagata honing in on one of Ibushi’s arms. Ibushi broke free and began to fight back, including landing the standing hurricanrana.
Nagata hit an exploder as he assaulted Ibushi on the ground. Nagata continued to build momentum, hitting a brainbuster and a back suplex, but he found Ibushi to be very resilient. He went for another, but Ibushi floated over a German suplex attempt and stuck a Pele kick. He tried to finish with a press powerbomb, but Nagata kicked out.
Ibushi followed with his new finisher, a double wrist knee strike called the Kamigoye, for the win.
Bad Luck Fale defeated Tomohiro Ishii
Fale dominated a lot of the match due to his sheer strength. Every time Ishii tried to mount a comeback, Fale would shut it down pretty quickly. Ishii finally got somewhere when he grabbed Fale and laid him out with a brainbuster.
Ishii hit the ropes twice — landing a big lariat — and went for the sliding D, but Fale grabbed him by the throat. Ishii took him down with an armbar, but Fale escaped. Ishii escaped the Bad Luck Fall and chopped him back down and went back to an armbar.
Fale came back to life with a spear, then hit Ishii with the Bad Luck Fall for the win in a very good match.
Hirooki Goto defeated YOSHI-HASHI
This was a back-and-forth match early, with neither really gaining any advantage until YOSHI-HASHI went for a jackknife cover, then went for a butterfly lock. He went for the sleeper, but Goto transitioned into one of his own.
YOSHI-HASHI avoided Goto’s GTR twice and leveled him with a superkick. He tried to go for Karma, but Goto laid him out and hit two GTRs for the win. This was good while it lasted.
Tetsuya Naito defeated Zack Sabre Jr.
Sabre took down Naito and focused on the neck area, using his feet to twist it around. Naito fought back, but Sabre continued to find ways to work on Naito’s body, latching onto a body part every time Naito tried to gain some momentum.
Naito finally was able to hit the satellite DDT, giving him some momentum. He hit a koppo kick and went for the Destino, but Sabre escaped and went for a few clever pinfall attempts, rolling up Naito in a number of ways.
Naito escaped a penalty kick attempt, hit an enzuigiri and a shoulder breaker, then hit the Destino for the win. This was really good, telling a good story.
Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Togi Makabe
This was good, but there have been many good matches in this tournament. Unfortunately, this is going to be one of those matches that gets lost in the shuffle.
Makabe took out Tanahashi early, clotheslining him on the outside. Tanahashi fought back, landing the senton, but Makabe responded by taking him to the corner and mounting him with punches.
He followed with the kneeling powerbomb and went for the King Kong knee drop, but Tanahashi avoided it. Tanahashi responded with the twist and shout neckbreaker as he soon went for the High Fly Flow, but he found no one there upon impact.
Makabe drilled Tanahashi with German suplexes and took him to the top rope for the Spider suplex. Tanahashi instead reversed it and landed a German suplex pin for a near fall. Tanahashi went for two High Fly Flows, got them both, and scored the win.
Tanahashi played air guitar to close out the show.
Fukuoka was home to the twelfth night of the G1 Climax 27 this morning. B Block action continued as Kazuchika Okada took on Tama Tonga and Kenny Omega squared off against EVIL in the main event.
Prelim matches —
– Tomoyuki Oka & Shota Umino defeated Katsuya Kitamura & Ren Narita when Oka submitted Narita with a Boston crab.
– Kota Ibushi & Tiger Mask IV defeated Yuji Nagata & Hirai Kawato when Tiger Mask pinned Kawato after a butterfly suplex off the top rope.
– Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI defeated Bad Luck Fale, Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens when YOSHI-HASHI submitted Owens with the butterfly lock.
– Zack Sabre Jr., Taichi & El Desperado defeated Tetsuya Naito, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI when Taichi pinned BUSHI with the Gedo clutch.
– Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jushin Thunder Liger defeated Togi Makabe & David Finlay when Tanahashi hit Finlay with the High Fly Flow.
B Block matches —
SANADA defeated Juice Robinson
After a hot exchange at the start, SANADA clipped Robinson’s leg as he entered the ring, finding a body part to work on for the duration of the match. SANADA continued to work on the leg, applying a figure four on the floor.
SANADA went for a magistral cradle until Robinson reversed it. Robinson landed a spinebuster and followed with a powerbomb. SANADA sprang back to life with a springboard dropkick, followed by a back suplex. Robinson escaped the Skull End and eventually ended up laying out SANADA with a lariat.
SANADA had the Cold Skull applied, but Robinson escaped as the two traded finisher attempts. Finally, SANADA latched on the Skull End once again and then let go to hit a moonsault for the win. This was a good sprint of a match.
Toru Yano defeated Michael Elgin by DQ
This did not last long. After Elgin proved he was the better of the two, Yano did a ref spot and low blowed Elgin. Yano then fell to the floor and told the referee that Elgin low blowed him. The New Japan ref, for some inexplicable reason, believed him and disqualified Elgin, effectively putting him out of the tournament. This was dumb.
Minoru Suzuki defeated Satoshi Kojima
Suzuki wasted no time in jumping Kojima, taking him to the outside and throwing him across the barricades. When Desperado and Taka Michinoku came in, Tenzan took care of them, but the referee stopped things and sent Tenzan away as Suzuki dominated.
Kojima came back and unloaded chops on Suzuki’s chest. Suzuki started to go for the Gotch piledriver before Kojima fought back. Desperado and Michinoku came in to interfere, but Tenzan came back and dished out Mongolian chops. Kojima hit a brainbuster, though Suzuki kicked out.
Kojima missed a lariat, allowing Suzuki to wreck him with a flying kick. He followed with the sleeper, then the Gotch piledriver for the win in a nice match.
Kazuchika Okada defeated Tama Tonga
Tonga jumped Okada and posed with Okada’s ring entrance gear to cheers. Okada fought back, but Tonga immediately came back with the heat. When Tonga missed a splash, Okada followed with a neckbreaker.
Okada eventually went for the Rainmaker, but Tonga fought back, running around the ropes, confusing Okada and ending things with a spear. Okada went for another, but Tonga countered with his waistlock DDT. Okada fought back and looked for a third, but Tonga countered everything Okada could muster, including his dropkick.
Okada avoided the Gun Stun but ate a kick to the face for his troubles. Tonga went for another Gun Stun, but Okada dropped him with a German suplex and then pinned him with the Rainmaker. The match was pretty good, though not great.
Kenny Omega defeated EVIL
This was easily the best match of the night by far. EVIL really stepped up his game and was just as good as Omega in this match. Cool table spots and fast-paced action made this a memorable bout.
EVIL took Omega out of the ring, removed the mats, and tried for a body slam, but Omega fought back and body slammed EVIL instead. EVIL tried to mount a comeback with a senton, but Omega got his knees up in response.
Omega put up a chair and tried to suplex EVIL onto it, but EVIL fought back and went for the chair to the throat spot. Omega countered it, then went to do a springboard off the barricade, but EVIL countered and laid him out with the chair to the throat.
When he regained control, Omega took out a table and sent EVIL through it. He took out another and looked to hit a double underhook piledriver on the apron before EVIL fought him off and instead hit a uranage, sending both of them crashing through the table.
With his eye busted open, EVIL hit a senton but Omega started to fight back. After some great back-and-forth offense, EVIL took him down with the Banshee Muzzle, but Omega made it to the ropes.
Omega fought back with a V-Trigger and the reverse rana. I think that legitimately knocked EVIL out as he struggled to continue the match. Omega eventually got him up for the One Winged Angel and landed it for the win.
Omega cut a promo after the match. He said he looked into the crowd and saw Los Ingobernables de Japon shirts, but he also saw Good Night and Good Luck t-shirts as well. He said G1 Climax 27 will be the first time a gaijin has won the tournament twice. He finished off by saying he has to go to sleep now, but goodbye and good night.
