{"id":11813,"date":"2014-07-25T19:01:47","date_gmt":"2014-07-25T23:01:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/crazymax.org\/newsite\/?p=11813"},"modified":"2014-07-25T20:14:41","modified_gmt":"2014-07-26T00:14:41","slug":"fighting-spirit-review-new-japan-g1-climax-2014-day-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crazymax.org\/newsite\/reviews\/fighting-spirit-review-new-japan-g1-climax-2014-day-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Fighting Spirit Review: New Japan G1 Climax 2014, Day 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Date:\u00a0 July 21st, 2014
\nLocation:\u00a0 Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center
\nAnnounced Attendance:\u00a0 6,000 (Super No Vacancy Full House)<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is time for the G1 Climax!\u00a0 The G1 Climax has taken place in New Japan every year since 1991, making it the longest running annual pro wrestling tournament in the world.\u00a0 The tournament is massive this year, with 22 total wrestlers participating.\u00a0 I am going to try to review each event as close to when it happens as I can, so wish me luck! Here are the blocks…<\/p>\n

[spacer height=”20px”]<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Block A:<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nBlock B:<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Hiroshi Tanahashi
\nSatoshi Kojima
\nYuji Nagata
\nTomoaki Honma
\nKatsuyori Shibata
\nShinsuke Nakamura
\nTomohiro Ishii
\nShelton Benjamin
\nDoc Gallows
\nDavey Boy Smith Jr.
\nBad Luck Fale<\/td>\n		Togi Makabe
\nHirooki Goto
\nTetsuya Naito
\nHiroyoshi Tenzan
\nKazuchika Okada
\nToru Yano
\nMinoru Suzuki
\nLance Archer
\nAJ Styles
\nYujiro Takahashi
\nKarl Anderson<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Today\u2019s matches are as follows:<\/p>\n

– Block A: Bad Luck Fale vs. Tomohiro Ishii
\n– Block A: Doc Gallows vs. Shelton Benjamin
\n– Block B: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Karl Anderson
\n– Block A: Satoshi Kojima vs. Yuji Nagata
\n– Block B: Minoru Suzuki vs. Toru Yano
\n– Block B: Tetsuya Naito vs. Yujiro Takahashi
\n– Block B: Hirooki Goto vs. Togi Makabe
\n– Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tomoaki Honma
\n– Block A: Katsuyori Shibata vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
\n– Block B: AJ Styles vs. Kazuchika Okada<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s get rolling with Day 1.<\/p>\n

Bad Luck Fale vs. Tomohiro Ishii<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This match is in Block A of the G1 Climax.\u00a0 They stare each other down to start, chops by Ishii but Fale absorbs the blows and elbows Ishii to the mat.\u00a0 Ishii gets back up and elbows Fale but again Fale elbows Ishii down.\u00a0 More elbows by Ishii, he ducks Fale\u2019s elbow and goes off the ropes, hitting a jumping elbow smash.\u00a0 Ishii goes off the ropes again but Fale hits a shoulderblock.\u00a0 Fale stands on Ishii near the ropes but Ishii gets back up and headbutts Fale in the stomach.\u00a0 They trade blows with Fale getting the better of it, he picks up Ishii, Irish whip from the corner but Ishii kicks Fale back.\u00a0 Running elbow by Ishii and he goes for a suplex, but Fale blocks it and hits a scoop slam.\u00a0 Cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Elbow drop by Fale, cover, but again it gets a two.\u00a0 Fale slaps Ishii in the back of the head, elbows by Fale and he puts Ishii on his shoulders, but Ishii gets off and hits a jumping DDT.\u00a0 Ishii goes off the ropes and he hits a lariat, but Fale doesn\u2019t go down.\u00a0 Ishii goes off the ropes again and hits a second lariat, he picks up Fale and hits a vertical suplex.\u00a0 Cover by Ishii, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Ishii chops Fale in the corner, Irish whip, but Fale fires out of the corner with a shoulderblock.\u00a0 Fale picks up Ishii and punches him in the stomach but Ishii chops him in the throat.\u00a0 Fale elbows Ishii down to the mat, he picks him back up but Ishii slaps him.\u00a0 Fale picks up Ishii and throws him backwards into the corner, Fale charges Ishii and hits a body avalanche.\u00a0 Body press by Fale, cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Fale picks up Ishii and goes for a suplex but Ishii lands on his back and knocks Fale to his knees.\u00a0 Lariat by Ishii, cover, but Fale kicks out at two.\u00a0 Ishii picks up Fale and applies a waistlock, but Fale elbows him off.\u00a0 Elbows by Ishii and he goes off the ropes, but Fale catches him and hits a scoop slam.\u00a0 Fale hits a body press, cover, but it only gets a two count.\u00a0 Fale waits for Ishii to get up but Ishii hits an enzigieri.\u00a0 Fale drives Ishii backwards into the corner, Fale goes off the ropes and hits a spear.\u00a0 Cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Fale picks up Ishii and goes for the Bad Luck Fall, but Ishii slides down his back.\u00a0 German suplex by Ishii and he hits a lariat, cover, but Fale gets a shoulder up.\u00a0 Ishii picks up Fale and goes for the brainbuster but Fale blocks it and throws Ishii head-first into the corner.\u00a0 Headbutts by Ishii but Fale fires back with a lariat.\u00a0 Cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Elbows by Ishii and Fale returns fire, headbutt by Ishii and he hits a second one, but Fale hits the Grenade.\u00a0 Cover, but Ishii barely gets a shoulder up.\u00a0 Fale grabs Ishii and hits the Bad Luck Fall, cover, and he picks up the three count.\u00a0 Your winner:\u00a0 Bad Luck Fale<\/p>\n

Match Thoughts:<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0Even Ishii can\u2019t pull a good match out of Fale.\u00a0 This actually wasn\u2019t a bad match, Ishii certainly pulled his weight.\u00a0 Fale is just bland and repetitious, that\u2019s all.\u00a0 Ishii\u2019s headbutts were on-point and he timed his power spots well, so there was definitely some good here.\u00a0 Some good, some bad, mostly average.\u00a0\u00a0Score:\u00a0 5.0<\/span><\/p>\n

Doc Gallows vs. Shelton Benjamin<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Benjamin ducks a Gallows lariat to start the match, tie-up, but Gallows throws Benjamin into the corner.\u00a0 Benjamin avoids Gallows when he charges in but Gallows punches Benjamin down to the mat.\u00a0 Gallows picks up Benjamin, waistlock by Benjamin but Gallows punches him to the mat.\u00a0 Irish whip by Gallows to the corner and he hits an elbow followed by a jumping shoulderblock.\u00a0 Benjamin falls out of the ring and Gallows goes out after him, and Gallows punches Benjamin against the post.\u00a0 Gallows charges Benjamin but Benjamin moves out of the way, and then Benjamin pulls Gallows into the post.\u00a0 Benjamin charges Gallows but Gallows moves and Benjamin goes into the guardrail.\u00a0 Gallows pulls at the railing, he picks up Benjamin and throws him into the guardrail.\u00a0 Stomp by Gallows, he gets a chair and he hits Benjamin in the ribs with it.\u00a0 Another hit by Gallows with the chair and he hits him again.\u00a0 Gallows rolls back into the ring and Benjamin very slowly comes back in the ring as well.\u00a0 Stomps by Gallows and he stands on Benjamin against the ropes.\u00a0 Gallows picks up Benjamin and he hits a vertical suplex.\u00a0 Gallows goes off the ropes and hits an elbow drop, he then hits a second one.\u00a0 Another elbow drop by Gallows, cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Gallows elbows Benjamin and clubs him in the chest.\u00a0 Reverse chinlock by Gallows, Benjamin elbows out of it and goes for a suplex, but Gallows elbows out of it.\u00a0 High kick by Gallows to the head, Gallows picks up Benjamin and puts him into the corner and punches him in the stomach.\u00a0 More punches by Gallows, Irish whip, but Benjamin moves when Gallows charges in and hits a release German suplex.\u00a0 Both wrestlers get up, elbows by Benjamin but Gallows drives him back into the corner.\u00a0 Gallows charges Benjamin but Benjamin moves out of the way and Benjamin applies an ankle hold.\u00a0 Gallows kicks him off and Gallows hits a sidewalk slam.\u00a0 Cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Gallows picks up Benjamin, punches by Gallows but Benjamin punches him back and they trade blows.\u00a0 Gallows picks up Benjamin and hits a fallaway slam, cover by Gallows but Benjamin barely gets a shoulder up.\u00a0 Gallows picks up Benjamin and charges him in the corner, and he hits a body avalanche.\u00a0 Gallows goes off the ropes but Benjamin snaps off a superkick.\u00a0 Cover by Benjamin, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Benjamin goes up to the top turnbuckle but Gallows catches him when he jumps off.\u00a0 Benjamin kicks Gallows back and nails the Paydirt, cover, and Benjamin picks up the three count.\u00a0 Your winner:\u00a0 Shelton Benjamin<\/p>\n

Match Thoughts:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Quick endings are ok I think in tournaments, all ten matches can\u2019t be twenty minute classics.\u00a0 That would be silly.\u00a0 This was\u2026 not really good but I have seen a lot worse.\u00a0 Gallows is limited and Benjamin is who he is, personally I like the guy but he didn\u2019t have much to work with here.\u00a0 Gallows dominated the match, not always interestingly, and Benjamin won so quick at the end that he didn\u2019t get much of a chance to show off his offense.\u00a0 Just one of those tournament matches done to set up the points the right way, nothing really to see here.\u00a0\u00a0Score:\u00a0 4.0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Karl Anderson<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Tenzan pushes Anderson into the ropes to start the match but he gives a clean break.\u00a0 Tie-up, Tenzan pushes Anderson into the ropes again but this time Anderson switches positions with him.\u00a0 Kicks to the stomach by Anderson and he hits a Mongolian Chop.\u00a0 Another one by Anderson, he goes off the ropes but Tenzan catches him with a heel kick.\u00a0 Tenzan picks up Anderson and hits a headbutt, another headbutt by Tenzan and he hits a Mongolian Chop.\u00a0 More chops by Tenzan and he chops Anderson in the throat.\u00a0 Tenzan goes off the ropes and hits a falling headbutt.\u00a0 Cover, but it gets a one count.\u00a0 Tenzan applies a reverse chinlock, elbow by Tenzan and he kicks Anderson.\u00a0 Tenzan goes off the ropes but Anderson dropkicks him in the knee.\u00a0 Stomps to the knee by Anderson and he throws Tenzan out of the ring.\u00a0 Anderson goes out as well, Anderson puts Tenzan\u2019s leg within the rail and twists his leg.\u00a0 Anderson then kicks Tenzan in the leg before returning to the ring.\u00a0 Tenzan returns as well, stomps by Anderson and he drops his knee onto Tenzan\u2019s leg.\u00a0 Anderson applies a reverse chinlock but Tenzan elbows out of it, Tenzan headbutts Anderson into the corner, Irish whip, but Anderson moves when Tenzan charges in and kicks Tenzan in the head.\u00a0 Tenzan hits a back bodydrop and stomps Anderson in the back.\u00a0 Mongolian Chops by Tenzan, Irish whip, and Tenzan hits a lariat.\u00a0 Tenzan goes up to the top turnbuckle and hits the calf branding, cover, but Anderson kicks out.\u00a0 Tenzan picks up Anderson and hits a vertical suplex, cover, but it gets two.\u00a0 Tenzan chops Anderson in the back of the head but Anderson rakes Tenzan in the eyes.\u00a0 Anderson goes off the ropes but Tenzan headbutts him in the stomach, Tenzan goes off the ropes but Anderson hits an uppercut.\u00a0 Anderson now goes off the ropes but Tenzan hits the Mountain Bomb.\u00a0 Cover by Tenzan, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Tenzan picks up Anderson and slams him in front of the corner, Tenzan goes up to the top turnbuckle but Anderson rolls out of the way of the moonsault attempt.\u00a0 Running kick by Anderson, he gets Tenzan on his shoulders and hits the Swivel Gun Stun.\u00a0 Cover, but it only gets two.\u00a0 Anderson waits for Tenzan to get up and goes for the Gun Stun but Tenzan blocks it.\u00a0 Headbutt by Tenzan, he goes up to the top turnbuckle and hits a diving headbutt.\u00a0 Cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Tenzan applies the Anaconda Vice, Anderson slowly gets back to his feet and elbows out of it.\u00a0 Headbutt by Tenzan, he picks up Anderson and hits the Anaconda Buster.\u00a0 Tenzan applies the Anaconda Max, and Anderson has no choice but to tap out!\u00a0 Your winner:\u00a0 Hiroyoshi Tenzan<\/p>\n

Match Thoughts:<\/strong>\u00a0 There was a time not too long ago that I thought Tenzan was done, that physically he just wasn\u2019t going to be able to be a full time wrestler again.\u00a0 He seems to have found the fountain of youth as even though he isn\u2019t amazing he is certainly a competent wrestler still.\u00a0 Anderson is solid as well and even though it didn\u2019t feel like a \u2018big\u2019 match the action was perfectly fine.\u00a0 It was slow at parts but overall no real complaints, it just felt like another mid-card match.\u00a0\u00a0Score:\u00a0 5.5<\/span><\/p>\n

Satoshi Kojima vs. Yuji Nagata<\/strong><\/h4>\n

They circle each other to start, tie-up, waistlock by Nagata, Kojima reverses it into a wristlock but Nagata rolls out of it and reverses it.\u00a0 Side headlock takedown by Nagata but Kojima quickly gets out of it.\u00a0 Tie-up, side headlock by Kojima, Nagata Irish whips out of it but Kojima shoulderblocks him down.\u00a0 Kick by Nagata to the face but Kojima chops him back and the two trade blows.\u00a0 Kicks by Nagata, but Kojima catches one and elbows him in the leg.\u00a0 Running elbow by Kojima and Nagata falls out of the ring, Kojima goes out after him and throws Nagata into the guardrail.\u00a0 Kick by Kojima and he throws Nagata back into the ring.\u00a0 Kojima kicks Nagata into the corner and chops Nagata in the chest, Irish whip by Kojima, reversed, and Nagata knees Kojima in the stomach.\u00a0 Kick to the back by Nagata and he stomps Kojima in the chest.\u00a0 Nagata picks up Kojima and knees him before hitting the Drive Screw.\u00a0 Nagata kicks Kojima in the leg and he applies an ankle hold, but Kojima gets to the ropes.\u00a0 Nagata stomps on Kojima and kicks him in the knee before twisting his leg in the middle rope.\u00a0 Nagata pushes Kojima to the mat and he applies a figure four leglock.\u00a0 Kojima inches to the ropes and finally reaches them to force a break.\u00a0 Nagata kicks Kojima in the leg but Kojima fights back with elbows.\u00a0 Kicks to the leg by Nagata and he kicks Kojima in the chest until Kojima falls to the mat.\u00a0 Nagata goes for a running boot in the corner but Kojima catches it and hits an elbow.\u00a0 Chop by Kojima in the corner and he hits the rapid-fire chops.\u00a0 Irish whip by Kojima and he hits the jumping elbow followed by the top rope elbow drop.\u00a0 Cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Kojima picks up Nagata but Nagata fights back.\u00a0 Knee to the stomach by Nagata but Kojima catches a kick and hits a dragon screw leg whip.\u00a0 DDT by Kojima and he hits the Koji Cutter.\u00a0 Kojima picks up Nagata and goes for a suplex but Nagata blocks it, dropkick to the knee by Nagata and he hits an exploder.\u00a0 Nagata applies the Nagata Lock but Kojima gets a hand on the ropes.\u00a0 Kicks to the leg by Nagata but Kojima blocks the enzigieri.\u00a0 Roaring lariat by Kojima, he goes off the ropes but Nagata ducks the lariat and hits a release German suplex.\u00a0 Backdrop suplex by Nagata, cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Nagata picks up Kojima but Kojima elbows him off.\u00a0 Nagata goes for a suplex but Kojima reverses it into a vertical suplex of his own.\u00a0 Back up they trade elbows, big boot by Nagata and he hits a heel kick.\u00a0 Elbow by Kojima, he goes off the ropes but Nagata kicks him when he goes for a lariat.\u00a0 Nagata charges Kojima but Kojima catches him with the Lariat, cover, and he picks up the three count.\u00a0 Your winner:\u00a0 Satoshi Kojima<\/p>\n

Match Thoughts:<\/strong>\u00a0 These two wily old veterans certainly \u2018brought it\u2019 even though they were on the mid-card on the first day of the G1 Climax.\u00a0 The leg work by Nagata was really good throughout to the point it seemed like he may win with a leg submission hold (especially since it is a tournament setting), and Kojima sold it solidly.\u00a0 I am looking forward to the match that Kojima doesn\u2019t force in his corner spot as it seemed unnecessary here, but otherwise they both stayed on point.\u00a0 Since Nagata is normally hard to pin I wouldn\u2019t have complained if Kojima had done a bit more to get the win, but I still thought it was a really good match and the first one that felt important.\u00a0\u00a0Score:\u00a0 7.0<\/span><\/p>\n

Minoru Suzuki vs. Toru Yano<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Suzuki attacks Yano before the match starts and kicks him out of the ring.\u00a0 Suzuki goes out after him and throws Yano into the guardrail, he then picks him up and throws Yano into the rail again.\u00a0 Suzuki throws Yano in the railing a third time, he then picks up a steel chair and hits Yano in the back with it.\u00a0 Suzuki picks up Yano and slides him back into the ring, Suzuki takes off one of the turnbuckle pads and goes back to Yano but Yano elbows Suzuki.\u00a0 Suzuki throws Yano into the exposed corner and then does it a second time.\u00a0 Suzuki throws Yano into the corner a third time and charges Yano, Yano moves but Suzuki stops before he runs into the exposed corner.\u00a0 Suzuki knocks Yano to the mat, he gets a steel chair and tries to hit Yano with it but Yano ducks and hits a low blow.\u00a0 Inside Cradle by Yano and he picks up the three count!\u00a0 Your winner:\u00a0 Toru Yano<\/p>\n

Match Thoughts:<\/strong>\u00a0 Obviously not a whole lot to this match aside from a way to get Yano a win.\u00a0 This will happen in the G1 Climax, like I mentioned earlier not every match can be a long one and matches like these keep fans on their toes since they can literally end any time.\u00a0 It also fits into Yano\u2019s character of picking up cheap wins.\u00a0 So it got its point across, even if it wasn\u2019t exactly a long and competitive match.\u00a0\u00a0Score:\u00a0 5.0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tetsuya Naito vs. Yujiro Takahashi<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Naito and Takahashi circle each other, kick by Takahashi to the stomach and he applies a side headlock.\u00a0 Naito gets out of it and applies a hammerlock, but Naito reverses it.\u00a0 Takahashi gets into the ropes to force a break, and Takahashi elbows Naito in the face.\u00a0 Takahashi throws Naito out of the ring and goes out after him, but Naito quickly rolls back in, Takahashi returns but Naito greets him with a kick.\u00a0 Side headlock by Naito but Takahashi bites Naito\u2019s hand.\u00a0 Wristlock by Takahashi but Naito reverses it, eye rake by Takahashi and he clubs Naito down to the mat.\u00a0 Slaps by Takahashi, he goes off the ropes but Naito hits an armdrag.\u00a0 Takahashi goes off the ropes but Naito delivers a dropkick.\u00a0 Naito picks up Takahashi and applies a wristlock, elbows to the arm by Naito and he yanks on Takahashi\u2019s arm.\u00a0 Irish whip by Naito, Takahashi reverses it and he drops Naito throat-first on the top rope.\u00a0 Takahashi grabs Naito and drives him head-first into the mat.\u00a0 Naito rolls out to the apron and slowly gets up, but Takahashi boots Naito off the apron down to the floor.\u00a0 Takahashi goes outside of the ring, he picks up Naito and drops him neck-first into the guard rail.\u00a0 Takahashi returns to the ring with Naito slowly following, Takahashi picks up Naito and throws him into the corner.\u00a0 Takahashi stomps Naito down in the corner,\u00a0 he charges Naito and hits a big boot.\u00a0 Takahashi picks up Naito and he hits a neckbreaker.\u00a0 Cover, but it gets another two count.\u00a0 Takahashi applies a reverse chinlock, he goes off the ropes and kicks Naito in the chest. \u00a0Cover, but it gets two.\u00a0 Takahashi nudges Naito with his feet and he slaps Naito, but Naito slaps him back.\u00a0 Irish whip by Takahashi to the corner but Naito moves when he charges in.\u00a0 Naito hits a neckbreaker out of the corner, Irish whip by Naito and he hits an armdrag.\u00a0 Dropkick by Naito and he delivers a somersault senton, Naito goes up to the top turnbuckle and hits a missile dropkick.\u00a0 Takahashi falls in the corner, Naito charges Takahashi but Takahashi drops Naito on the apron and rams him into the ring post.\u00a0 Takahashi picks up Naito, he puts him onto the top turnbuckle before joining him and hitting a belly to belly suplex.\u00a0 Cover, but it only gets a two count. Takahashi picks up Naito but Naito blocks the suplex attempt.\u00a0 Takahashi ducks an enzigieri and he hits a fisherman buster, cover, but he gets a two count.\u00a0 Takahashi picks up Naito and hits an Olympic Slam.\u00a0 Cover, but Naito gets a shoulder up.\u00a0 Takahashi charges Naito but Naito ducks the lariat, roll-up by Naito but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Another roll-up by Naito, and again he only gets two.\u00a0 Eye rake by Takahashi, he grabs Naito and goes for the Miami Shine, but Naito slides out of it and kicks Takahashi.\u00a0 Irish whip by Naito and he hits a jumping elbow smash.\u00a0 German suplex hold by Naito, but it only gets a two count.\u00a0 Naito picks up Takahashi and applies a hammerlock into a sidewalk slam.\u00a0 Naito goes up to the top turnbuckle but Takahashi moves out of the way of the Stardust Press.\u00a0 Naito charges Takahashi in the corner but Takahashi kicks him back, chops by Takahashi but Naito elbows him back.\u00a0 They trade elbows, big boot by Takahashi and he gets Naito on his shoulders but Naito slides off an hits an enzigieri.\u00a0 Irish whip by Naito, Takahashi avoids the strike and catches Naito with a German suplex hold for a two count.\u00a0 Takahashi picks up Naito and powerbombs him into the turnbuckles, he picks him back up and he delivers the Miami Shine.\u00a0 Cover, and he picks up the three count.\u00a0 Your winner:\u00a0 Yujiro Takahashi<\/p>\n

Match Thoughts:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0This match was good.\u00a0 Not great, or memorable, or particularly exciting, but definitely good.\u00a0 I thought that some of the transitions were lazy (eye rakes are so 1980s) and Naito\u2019s offense doesn\u2019t look very hurty, but both were really crisp aside from one badly missed kick.\u00a0 Takahashi seems to be enjoying his new place on the card and is working hard, and Naito is always a ball of energy so the match had very little downtime.\u00a0\u00a0 A solid start to the tournament by both men.\u00a0\u00a0Score:\u00a0 6.0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hirooki Goto vs. Togi Makabe<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Makabe elbows Goto into the corner before the match starts but Goto returns fire and they trade blows.\u00a0 Snapmare by Makabe and he hits mounted punches, but Goto reverses spots with him and they trade punches back and forth.\u00a0 Goto invites Makabe to get up and they trade elbows, Goto goes off the ropes but he can\u2019t knock down Makabe.\u00a0 Goto goes off the ropes again but Makabe lariats Goto out of the ring.\u00a0 Makabe picks up Goto out on the floor and throws him into the guardrail.\u00a0 Makabe picks up Goto and throws him into the rail again before sliding him back into the ring.\u00a0 Stomp by Makabe and he kicks Goto while he is on one knee.\u00a0 Back up Makabe elbows Goto but Goto hits him back and they trade elbows.\u00a0 Goto picks up Makabe and throws him out of the ring, Goto goes out after him and elbows Makabe in the back of the head before throwing him chest-first into the rail.\u00a0 Goto slams Makabe into the ring post and elbows him again before sliding Makabe back in the ring.\u00a0 Goto stomps Makabe in the chest and back, he throws Makabe in the corner and Goto elbows Makabe repeatedly.\u00a0 Goto picks up Makabe and hits a vertical suplex, cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Reverse chinlock by Goto and he elbows Makabe in the face.\u00a0 Kick to the back by Goto and then to the chest.\u00a0 Makabe invites Goto to keep kicking him so he does, Goto goes off the ropes but Makabe catches a kick and hits a lariat.\u00a0 Goto crawls to the corner and Makabe hits a lariat, then he hits a second one.\u00a0 Makabe mounts Goto in the corner and hits a series of punches before hitting the Northern Lights Suplex for a two count.\u00a0 Makabe picks up Goto but Goto elbows him off, Goto goes off the ropes but Makabe hits a lariat.\u00a0 Cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Makabe waits for Goto to get up but Goto catches him with a lariat of his own, and both wrestlers slowly get up.\u00a0 Goto catches Makabe and hits a spinning heel kick followed by a backdrop suplex for a two count cover.\u00a0 Goto picks up Makabe and gets him on his shoulders, but Makabe slides off.\u00a0 Makabe goes off the ropes but Goto does also, Makabe ducks Goto\u2019s lariat and goes off the ropes but Goto grabs him and hits a fireman\u2019s carry onto his knee.\u00a0 Cover, but Makabe kicks out.\u00a0 Goto goes off the ropes but Makabe gets him on his shoulders, Goto slides off but Makabe delivers a powerbomb for a two count.\u00a0 Makabe picks up Goto, he puts Makabe on his shoulders and hits a death valley bomb.\u00a0 Makabe goes up to the top turnbuckle but Goto rolls out of the way of the King Kong Kneedrop.\u00a0 Lariat to the back of the head by Goto, he picks up Makabe\u00a0 and he drops Makabe face-first onto his knee.\u00a0 Which looked painful.\u00a0 Cover, but Makabe gets a shoulder up.\u00a0 Goto picks up Makabe but Makabe shoves him off, both wrestlers hit lariats on each other but neither wrestler goes down.\u00a0 Lariat by Makabe, cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Makabe picks up Goto and hits a short-arm lariat, he picks up Goto again and hits a second one.\u00a0 Makabe picks up Goto but Goto knocks him back.\u00a0 Goto grabs Makabe and he delivers the Shouten Kai, cover, and he picks up the three count.\u00a0 Your winner:\u00a0 Hirooki Goto<\/p>\n

Match Thoughts:<\/strong>\u00a0 Hope that Makabe\u2019s jaw is ok, that weird move by Goto looked brutal.\u00a0 This is one of the better Makabe matches I have ever seen, he was still a bit lariat-happy but not excessive about it, and it really did come across as just two big strong wrestlers trying to beat\u00a0 each other into submission.\u00a0 Lots of hard hits on both ends and while Goto sometimes has trouble hitting his finisher on big wrestlers he did a faster version here that looked pretty good.\u00a0 The focus being more on power vs. power and Goto controlling much of the match helped a lot as the less Makabe is controlling on offense the better.\u00a0 Fun match for sure.\u00a0\u00a0Score:\u00a0 7.0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tomoaki Honma<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Wristlock by Tanahashi to start but Honma reverses it, Tanahashi reverses it back and gets Honma to the mat but Honma applies a headscissors.\u00a0 Tanahashi gets out of that, they trade moves again and both men return to their feet.\u00a0 Tie-up, Honma pushes Tanahashi into the ropes but Tanahashi reverses positions with him.\u00a0 Tanahashi goes for a punch but Honma ducks, chops by Honma and he kicks Tanahashi in the corner.\u00a0 Irish whip by Honma but Tanahashi elbows him when he charges in and delivers a dropkick.\u00a0 Kick to the stomach by Tanahashi, Irish whip, reversed, and Honma elbows Tanahashi to the mat.\u00a0 Scoop slam by Honma, he goes off the ropes and goes for a falling headbutt but Tanahashi avoids it.\u00a0 Irish whip by Tanahashi but Honma avoids the dropkick but again he misses the falling headbutt.\u00a0 Stomp by Tanahashi and he applies a neck crank, snapmare by Tanahashi and a cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Tanahashi throws Honma into the corner and punches Honma, scoop slam by Tanahashi and he hits a somersault senton off the second turnbuckle.\u00a0 Cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Tanahashi picks up Honma, chops by Honma but Tanahashi elbows him back.\u00a0 Irish whip by Tanahashi, reversed, kick by Tanahashi and he delivers a dropkick.\u00a0 Honma falls out of the ring and Tanahashi sails out onto him with a pescado.\u00a0 Honma crawls back into the ring, Tanahashi grabs him from the ring but Honma hits him back.\u00a0 Honma grabs Tanahashi from the apron and goes for a suplex but Tanahashi blocks it, Tanahashi brings Honma back into the ring but Honma drops Tanahashi with a vertical suplex.\u00a0 Honma chops Tanahashi into the corner, Irish whip, and Honma hits a jumping elbow followed by a face crusher.\u00a0 He finally hits the headbutt, Honma picks up Tanahashi and delivers a DDT.\u00a0 Rolling neckbreaker by Honma, cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Honma picks up Tanahashi and picks up Tanahashi, but Tanahashi slides down his back.\u00a0 Waistlock by Tanahashi, Honma elbows out of it and they trade chops and slaps.\u00a0 Tanahashi goes off the ropes, elbow by Honma but Tanahashi ducks the lariat attempt.\u00a0 Honma goes off the ropes, Tanahashi hits a dropkick but Honma follows with a lariat.\u00a0 Honma charges Tanahashi and hits a lariat, he picks up Tanahashi and drops him with a brainbuster.\u00a0 Cover, but Tanahashi kicks out at two.\u00a0 Honma goes up to the top turnbuckle but Tanahashi rolls out of the way of the diving headbutt attempt.\u00a0 Tanahashi and Honma get to their knees and trade elbows as they return to their feet, and Tanahashi hits a trapped German suplex for a two count.\u00a0 Tanahashi goes off the ropes but Honma rolls up Tanahashi for a two count cover.\u00a0 Dragon screw leg whip by Honma, he goes off the ropes but Tanahashi ducks the lariat and hits a dragon suplex.\u00a0 Sling Blade by Tanahashi, he goes up to the top turnbuckle and nails the High Fly Flow.\u00a0 Cover, and he picks up the three count.\u00a0 Your winner:\u00a0 Hiroshi Tanahashi<\/p>\n

Match Thoughts:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0While part of me is surprised that this match was on the later end of the card, it was a good match.\u00a0 The crowd likes Honma a lot, I don\u2019t think anyone really thought he was going to win but he had their support anyway.\u00a0 Honma did get in some good offense here and it was a competitive match, but once Tanahashi whipped off his big moves in a row he went down pretty easy.\u00a0 But Honma did all he could and his near falls got a good response, so no complaints from me.\u00a0\u00a0Score:\u00a0 6.5<\/span><\/p>\n

Katsuyori Shibata vs. Shinsuke Nakamura<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Shibata and Nakamura circle each other to start, Shibata pushes Nakamura into the ropes and he gives a clean break.\u00a0 They tie-up, Nakamura pushes Shibata into the ropes this time and Nakamura also gives a clean break, quick kick by Shibata and a snapmare, but Nakamura avoids the swinging kick attempt.\u00a0 Back up, Shibata gets Nakamura to the mat and they jockey for position on the mat before returning to their feet, Shibata pushes Nakamura into the corner and he slaps Nakamura before backing off.\u00a0 Knee to the stomach by Shibata but Nakamura elbows him and they trade elbows.\u00a0 Shibata elbows Nakamura down in the corner, Shibata charges Nakamura but Nakamura delivers a jumping kick to Shibata\u2019s head.\u00a0 Nakamura puts Shibata across the corner, he gets a running start but Shibata has slid out to the apron and chokes Nakamura over the top rope.\u00a0 Shibata pulls Nakamura over the top rope down to the floor, Shibata picks up Nakamura and throws him into the guard rail.\u00a0 Running boot to the face by Shibata, he goes over to the other side of the rail to get Nakamura and throws him into the ring post.\u00a0 Vertical suplex on the floor by Shibata, he picks up Nakamura and slides him back into the ring.\u00a0 Shibata returns to the ring as well and Shibata applies a figure four leglock.\u00a0 Nakamura eventually gets a hand on the ropes to break up the hold, kicks to the head by Shibata, Nakamura gets back up and they trade elbows.\u00a0 Nakamura gets the better of it, and he hits an enzigieri.\u00a0 Nakamura kicks Shibata in the corner, he gets a running start but Shibata moves out of the way.\u00a0 Nakamura catches Shibata with a knee and then hits a running knee in the corner.\u00a0 Cover by Nakamura, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Shibata falls out of the ring and Nakamura goes out after him, Nakamura sets up Shibata\u2019s head over the apron and he delivers a running kneelift.\u00a0 Nakamura gets back in the ring with Shibata, Nakamura picks up Shibata and applies a front facelock.\u00a0 Nakamura applies a sleeper, he goes for an inverted powerslam but Shibata gets out of it and knees Nakamura in the stomach.\u00a0 Sleeper by Shibata, Nakamura gets to the ropes but Shibata hits a backdrop suplex.\u00a0 Kick to the chest by Shibata, Nakamura falls in the corner and Shibata hits a series of hard elbows.\u00a0 Shibata gets a running start and delivers a dropkick.\u00a0 Shibata picks up Nakamura and hits a single arm suplex, cover, but it only gets two.\u00a0 Shibata picks up Nakamura again but Nakamura hits a release German suplex.\u00a0 Shibata comes back with his own German suplex, but Nakamura hits a backstabber.\u00a0 Sleeperhold by Nakamura, Shibata reverses it but Nakamura hits an inverted powerslam.\u00a0 Nakamura waits for Shibata to get up but Shibata catches him with a jumping kick to the face.\u00a0 Shibata picks up Nakamura and they trade elbows, Shibata goes for a kick but Nakamura blocks it and applies a sleeper.\u00a0 Shibata reverses it into his own sleeper, kick to the back by Shibata and he goes off the ropes, but Nakamura ducks the PK.\u00a0 Waistlock by Nakamura but Shibata elbows him into the corner, Nakamura kicks Shibata back and hits a jumping kick off the second turnbuckle.\u00a0 Sliding kick by Nakamura, cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Nakamura waits for Shibata to get up but Shibata catches Nakamura with a jumping head kick.\u00a0 Nakamura picks up Shibata but Shibata catches him with a back elbow, Shibata gets Nakamura on his shoulders and drops him onto his knee.\u00a0 PK by Shibata, and he picks up the three count.\u00a0 Your winner:\u00a0 Katsuyori Shibata<\/p>\n

Match Thoughts:<\/strong>\u00a0 This was a fun and painful looking match, although it was a step below \u2018awesome\u2019 to me.\u00a0 Their strikes were both on point and especially the ending looked painful for Nakamura.\u00a0 I did think there was some wasted time, the figure four leglock for example was just a chunk of the match that wasn\u2019t needed since the leg wasn\u2019t really targeted before or after the hold.\u00a0 Besides some structure issues in the middle though this is one of the better strike-based matches I\u2019ve seen in a while as both of these guys excel at that style when they are paired off against the right type of opponent. Definitely worth watching even if it had its faults.\u00a0\u00a0Score:\u00a0 8.0<\/span><\/p>\n

AJ Styles vs. Kazuchika Okada<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Tie-up to start, Styles pushes Okada into the corner and he goes for a punch, but Okada moves out of the way.\u00a0 Tie-up, wristlock by Styles, Okada rolls out of it and reverses the hold, but Styles reverses it back.\u00a0 Okada reverses the hold but Styles gets into the ropes to force a break.\u00a0 Tie-up, side headlock by Styles, Okada Irish whips out of it, roll-up by Okada but Styles quickly gets out of it.\u00a0 They face-off, elbows by Styles but Okada elbows him back.\u00a0 Irish whip by Okada, chops by Styles, Irish whip, reversed, and Okada hits a back bodydrop.\u00a0 Okada stomps down Styles in the corner, he picks him back up and hits a scoop slam before going out to the apron and hitting a slingshot senton.\u00a0 Cross-arm submission by Okada but Styles gets a foot on the ropes.\u00a0 Styles chops Okada, Irish whip, kick by Okada and he goes off the ropes but Styles drills him with a dropkick.\u00a0 Okada rolls out of the ring, Styles goes out after him and he hits a scoop slam on the floor.\u00a0 Styles picks up Okada and slides him back into the ring, Styles follows him in and hits a backbreaker.\u00a0 Cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Back up, Okada elbows Styles but Styles pokes him in the eye.\u00a0 Styles picks up Okada and hits a scoop slam, he goes off the ropes and hits a jumping knee drop.\u00a0 Knee to the back by Styles while he applies a reverse chinlock, back up he keeps on a front facelock but Okada elbows out of it.\u00a0 Elbow to the back of the head by Styles, he goes off the ropes but Okada catches him with an elbow followed by a big boot.\u00a0 Irish whip by Okada and he hits a flapjack.\u00a0 Okada picks up Styles, snapmare, Okada goes off the ropes and he delivers a sliding kick.\u00a0 Okada charges Styles but Styles moves out of the way, Okada then avoids Styles, puts him on the top turnbuckle and then dropkicks him down to the floor.\u00a0 Okada goes out after Styles and Irish whips him towards the railing, Styles jumps over the rail but Okada dives over the rail with a crossbody onto Styles. \u00a0Okada gets back into the ring with Styles very slowly following, kick by Okada and he hits an uppercut.\u00a0 DDT by Okada and he applies the Red Ink, but Styles gets to the ropes to force a break.\u00a0 Okada picks up Styles and hits a scoop slam, Okada goes up to the top turnbuckle, Styles charges him but Okada jumps off.\u00a0 Kick by Styles and he hits a vertical suplex on Okada into the turnbuckles.\u00a0 Styles puts Okada on the top turnbuckle and then onto his shoulders, before hitting the Rack Bomb.\u00a0 Cover, but it gets a two count.\u00a0 Styles drags Okada near the ropes, he goes out to apron but Okada rolls out of the way of the swandive 450 Splash.\u00a0 Elbow by Okada but Styles returns fire, jumping kick by Styles and he goes for the Styles Clash but Okada kicks out of it.\u00a0 Irish whip by Okada but Styles avoids the dropkick.\u00a0 Styles picks up Okada and goes for a tornado DDT, but Okada pushes him off.\u00a0 Okada grabs Styles and hits a Schwein onto his knee, but amongst all this the referee has gotten knocked out.\u00a0 Scoop slam by Okada, he goes up to the top turnbuckle and he hits the diving elbow drop.\u00a0 Yujiro rolls in the ring and hits Okada from behind, he goes off the ropes and hits a lariat.\u00a0 Yujiro picks up Okada but Okada gets away, eye rake by Yujiro and he goes off the ropes but Okada hits the dropkick.\u00a0 Styles comes in with a swandive elbow strike, he picks up Okada and goes for the Bloody Sunday, but Okada blocks it.\u00a0 Release German suplex by Styles and he hits the Pele Kick.\u00a0 Styles goes for the Styles Clash but Okada blocks it, he spins Styles around and hits the tombstone piledriver.\u00a0 German suplex hold by Okada, but Styles gets a shoulder up.\u00a0 Okada keeps the waistlock applied as he returns to his feet, he spins around Styles and nails the Rainmaker.\u00a0 Cover, and he picks up the three count.\u00a0 Your winner:\u00a0 Kazuchika Okada<\/p>\n

Match Thoughts:<\/strong>\u00a0 I thought this was a touch better than their last match in May and their best match to date.\u00a0 They did a good job betraying this was about more than just the tournament, obviously their feud is bigger than that.\u00a0 The high risk moves were well spread out and they were more fluid than in past matches.\u00a0 I don\u2019t like silly ref bumps in any match, particularly not main event matches, but it is what it is and besides that moment it was a straight up one on one match.\u00a0 I also liked the ending with Okada getting the definite pinfall while keeping the Styles Clash (and the Bloody Sunday) protected by not having Okada kick out of either one.\u00a0 Another good match on the show.\u00a0\u00a0Score:\u00a0 7.5<\/span><\/p>\n

[spacer height=”20px”]<\/p>\n

Current Standings:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Block A:<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nBlock B:<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Bad Luck Fale\u00a0 [2]Hiroshi Tanahashi\u00a0 [2]<\/p>\n

Katsuyori Shibata\u00a0 [2]<\/p>\n

Satoshi Kojima\u00a0 [2]<\/p>\n

Shelton Benjamin\u00a0 [2]<\/p>\n

Davey Boy Smith Jr.<\/p>\n

Doc Gallows\u00a0 [0]<\/p>\n

Shinsuke Nakamura\u00a0 [0]<\/p>\n

Tomoaki Honma\u00a0 [0]<\/p>\n

Tomohiro Ishii\u00a0 [0]<\/p>\n

Yuji Nagata\u00a0 [0]<\/td>\n

Hirooki Goto\u00a0 [2]Hiroyoshi Tenzan\u00a0 [2]<\/p>\n

Kazuchika Okada\u00a0 [2]<\/p>\n

Toru Yano\u00a0 [2]<\/p>\n

Yujiro Takahashi\u00a0 [2]<\/p>\n

Lance Archer<\/p>\n

AJ Styles\u00a0 [0]<\/p>\n

Karl Anderson\u00a0 [0]<\/p>\n

Minoru Suzuki\u00a0 [0]<\/p>\n

Tetsuya Naito\u00a0 [0]<\/p>\n

Togi Makabe\u00a0 [0]<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

[spacer height=”20px”]<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts:<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Best Match:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Katsuyori Shibata vs. Shinsuke Nakamura<\/strong>. This event had several really good matches, but this was probably the best one.\u00a0 It was straight forward, just two guys that enjoy kicking other people in the face.\u00a0 The ending was quick but definitive, and it established Shibata as a real threat to win the G1 Climax this year.<\/p>\n

MVP:\u00a0\u00a0 Tomoaki Honma.<\/strong>\u00a0 He may not win the G1 Climax but the crowd loves the guy.\u00a0 He had a competitive back and forth match with a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and the fans couldn\u2019t have been more pleased.\u00a0\u00a0 He used most of his arsenal and didn\u2019t appear over-matched by Tanahashi at all.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know how many points he will get but I am sure this won\u2019t be the last entertaining match Honma has in the tournament.<\/p>\n

Overall:<\/strong>\u00a0As a full show, this event was pretty fantastic.\u00a0 There were only a few matches I thought were average, and one really short match, but the rest ranged from solid to great.\u00a0 The Makabe match was one of the better Makabe matches I have seen in a while, Shibata\/Nakamura was great, the main event was fun\u2026 there was just a lot to like here.\u00a0 New Japan has a lot of quality wrestlers right now, and while some of the gaijins they use are a bit bland from top to bottom it was an enjoyable card.\u00a0 A great start to the tournament.<\/p>\n

Grade: A-<\/strong><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Featuring Katsuyori Shibata vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Shelton Benjamin vs. Doc Gallows, AJ Styles vs. Kazuchika Okada, Kojima vs. Nagata, Tenzan vs. Anderson, and much more<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":11824,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[399,40],"tags":[540,234,233],"class_list":["post-11813","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fsreview","category-reviews","tag-g1-climax","tag-new-japan","tag-puroresu"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/crazymax.org\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11813","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/crazymax.org\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/crazymax.org\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crazymax.org\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/81"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crazymax.org\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11813"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/crazymax.org\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11813\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11836,"href":"https:\/\/crazymax.org\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11813\/revisions\/11836"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crazymax.org\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11824"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/crazymax.org\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11813"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crazymax.org\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11813"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crazymax.org\/newsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11813"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}