{"id":9634,"date":"2018-07-17T15:45:59","date_gmt":"2018-07-17T15:45:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/?p=9634"},"modified":"2018-07-17T15:57:15","modified_gmt":"2018-07-17T15:57:15","slug":"njpw-g1-climax-night-one-and-two-review-14-7-18-and-15-7-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/2018\/07\/17\/njpw-g1-climax-night-one-and-two-review-14-7-18-and-15-7-18\/","title":{"rendered":"NJPW G1 Climax Night One and Two Review, 14\/7\/18 and 15\/7\/18"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>By\u00a0<strong>Tokyo Wrestling Fan <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/twf87\">@twf87<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The 28th G1 Climax began on July 14th, kicking off 19 shows of one of the perennial tournaments of the year in New Japan Pro Wrestling.\u00a0 Both shows were held at the Ota City General Gymnasium, and I was lucky enough to attend both.\u00a0 The crowd was around 4,000 for both nights, and they were really into all the action from both the A Block and the B Block.<\/p>\n<p><strong>G1 Climax Night One<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Hirooki Goto and Jado def. Henare and Ren Narita, 6:23<\/p>\n<p>Tomohiro Ishii and SHO def. Yano Toru and YOH, 7:15<\/p>\n<p>GOD (Tama Tong and Tanga Loa) def. Juice Robinson and David Finlay, 6:13<\/p>\n<p>Zack Sabre Jr. and TAKA Michinoku def. Kota Ibushi and Yujiro Takahashi, 5:29<\/p>\n<p>Tetsuya Naito and SANADA def. Kenny Omega and Chase Owens, 5:45<\/p>\n<p><strong>Togi Makabe <\/strong>vs. <strong>YOSHI-HASHI<\/strong> \u2013 The opening tournament match of the 28<sup>th<\/sup> G1 Climax saw the perennially underwhelming YOSHI-HASHI take on the veteran Makabe.\u00a0 YOSHI-HASHI had new gear for the G1, but he still looked as uninterested as always.\u00a0 He\u2019s clearly a very capable wrestler, but his character is absolutely non-existent \u2013 how he got in the G1 over Taichi is anyone\u2019s guess.\u00a0 Makabe isn\u2019t really close to the main event scene anymore, but he was very popular amongst the live crowd in Ota.\u00a0 YOSHI-HASHI even had a fan base who came out to watch his opening match.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9637\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09904.jpg?resize=696%2C464\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09904.jpg?w=5945&amp;ssl=1 5945w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09904.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09904.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09904.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09904.jpg?resize=696%2C464&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09904.jpg?resize=1068%2C712&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09904.jpg?resize=630%2C420&amp;ssl=1 630w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09904.jpg?w=1392 1392w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09904.jpg?w=2088 2088w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This was a better match than I expected, as YOSHI-HASHI demonstrated considerable underdog spirit in refusing to be cowed by Makabe\u2019s power, and got some near falls that kept the crowd on their toes.\u00a0 Makabe finally got the win with a King Kong Knee Drop from the top turnbuckle, which kept the crowd happy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Winner: Togi Makabe, 11:05<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Hangman Page <\/strong>vs. <strong>Bad Luck Fale \u2013<\/strong> Hangman Page\u2019s solo entrance theme was a Western-style Ennico Morricone knock off, which I liked.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9640\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09924.jpg?resize=696%2C464\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09924.jpg?w=6000&amp;ssl=1 6000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09924.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09924.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09924.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09924.jpg?resize=696%2C464&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09924.jpg?resize=1068%2C712&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09924.jpg?resize=630%2C420&amp;ssl=1 630w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09924.jpg?w=1392 1392w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09924.jpg?w=2088 2088w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Bad Luck Fale wasn\u2019t at the G1 Special in San Francisco, so it was unclear if he had joined the other Tongans in the Bullet Club split, but he did come out wearing a shirt that said \u201cFuck Em.\u201d\u00a0 This was a decent match for the most part, with Page trying to use his speed and high-flying ability to overcome Fale\u2019s height and power advantage.\u00a0 However, the match ended with interference when Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa ran in and started beating up Page, which led to Fale being disqualified.\u00a0 DQ finishes in the G1 aren\u2019t something I\u2019m a fan of, and the live crowd wasn\u2019t either.\u00a0 Kenny, Ibushi, and Chase ran out to make the save just as it looked like Fale was about to lynch Page with his own noose.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Winner: Hangman Page, 8:04<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Michael Elgin <\/strong>vs. <strong>EVIL \u2013 <\/strong>Both men in this match were over with the crowd, although EVIL probably had a slight edge over Elgin.\u00a0 Compared to the previous match, this match was a breath of fresh air, and both competitors threw everything they had at each other in an attempt to get a pin.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9636\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09954.jpg?resize=696%2C464\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09954.jpg?w=5944&amp;ssl=1 5944w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09954.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09954.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09954.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09954.jpg?resize=696%2C464&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09954.jpg?resize=1068%2C712&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09954.jpg?resize=630%2C420&amp;ssl=1 630w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09954.jpg?w=1392 1392w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09954.jpg?w=2088 2088w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This was a big power battle, and Elgin and EVIL delivered some wicked strikes.\u00a0 EVIL attacked Elgin\u2019s arm during the match, in an attempt to weaken his opponent, and got the Banshee Muzzle locked in at one point, although Elgin managed to escape.\u00a0 The finishing sequence of reversals and counters was excellent \u2013 EVIL managed to counter Elgin\u2019s attempt at a Burning Hammer, but Elgin finally got the win with an Elgin Bomb.\u00a0 This was the best match of the night up to this point.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Winner: Michael Elgin, 16:08<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Hiroshi Tanahashi <\/strong>vs. <strong>Minoru Suzuki<\/strong> \u2013 Suzuki had a new entrance video that featured scenes from his recent 30<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary event in Yokohama, and it looked great.\u00a0 The crowd sang along with <em>Kaze ni nare<\/em>, but once Tanahashi made his entrance they were vocally behind the former Ace.\u00a0 Suzuki beat Tanahashi for the Intercontinental Championship at New Beginning in Sapporo, and injured Tanahashi in the process, so this match had a lot of weight behind it.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9639\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09974.jpg?resize=696%2C464\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09974.jpg?w=6000&amp;ssl=1 6000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09974.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09974.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09974.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09974.jpg?resize=696%2C464&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09974.jpg?resize=1068%2C712&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09974.jpg?resize=630%2C420&amp;ssl=1 630w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09974.jpg?w=1392 1392w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC09974.jpg?w=2088 2088w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Suzuki delighted in hurting Tanahashi, and the opening of the match mostly consisted of Suzuki contorting Tanahashi in a variety of kneebars and heel hook submissions.\u00a0 This went on a bit too long for my taste, since after a while it just made Suzuki\u2019s submissions look weak.\u00a0 The crowd was really into Tanahashi\u2019s comeback when it started though, and he managed to battle through the pain to hit a Dragon Screw.\u00a0 Suzuki had more chances to inflict punishment after he hit Tanahashi with a PK, but the Ace reversed a Gotch-style piledriver, then hit the Sling Blade and two High Fly Flows for a victory.\u00a0 The crowd were really into this match, and loved the fact that Tanahashi won, although it remains to be seen if the damage done to his leg by Suzuki will affect him later in the tournament.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, 13:59<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Kazuchika Okada <\/strong>vs. <strong>Jay White <\/strong>\u2013 This match was a battle for the very soul of CHAOS, as Jay White attempted to take down Okada, who had been looking lost ever since his defeat at the hands of Kenny Omega.\u00a0 Okada once again came to the ring with balloons, and without his coat, and clearly lacked some of his trademark swagger when he struck the Rainmaker pose on the turnbuckle.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9638\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00053.jpg?resize=696%2C464\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00053.jpg?w=6000&amp;ssl=1 6000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00053.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00053.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00053.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00053.jpg?resize=696%2C464&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00053.jpg?resize=1068%2C712&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00053.jpg?resize=630%2C420&amp;ssl=1 630w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00053.jpg?w=1392 1392w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00053.jpg?w=2088 2088w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Jay offered a handshake to start the match, and tried to immediately hit the Blade Runner, which Okada countered into a teased Rainmaker.\u00a0 Jay showed his vicious side during this match, which had been on full display in San Francisco, particularly in throwing Okada hard into the guard rails outside the ring.\u00a0 It was surprising that Jay controlled the match as much as he did, although Okada got some comeback spots where he hit a dropkick and an elbow drop.\u00a0 Towards the end of the match Jay brought a chair into the ring, but Okada dropkicked the chair into his face, then hit the tombstone and a Rainmaker that should have been a three count.\u00a0 However, as Jay was spun around for the Rainmaker he knocked Red Shoes down, so there was no referee to count the pin.\u00a0 Okada got up, but as he dropped his guard Jay hit him with a low blow, and hit a Blade Runner just in time for a recovered Red Shoes to count the pin.\u00a0 This must be Jay\u2019s biggest win to date, even surpassing his US Championship victory against Kenny Omega.\u00a0 The live crowd were a bit less into this match than they were the Suzuki vs. Tanahashi match, and they didn\u2019t seem to know how to respond to Jay\u2019s victory, but he got plenty of boos when he cut a promo at the end of the show.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Winner: Jay White, 25:36<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>G1 Climax Night Two<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Hangman Page and Chase Owens def. Michael Elgin and Shota Umino, 6:18<\/p>\n<p>EVIL and BUSHI def. YOSHI-HASHI and SHO, 5:21<\/p>\n<p>Minoru Suzuki and El Desperado def. Togi Makabe and Toa Henare, 6:44<\/p>\n<p>Bad Luck Fale and Tanga Loa def. Kazuchika Okada and Gedo, 6:08<\/p>\n<p>Hiroshi Tanahashi and David Finlay def. Jay White and YOH, 8:05<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tomohiro Ishii <\/strong>vs. <strong>Toru Yano <\/strong>\u2013 B Block started where A Block finished \u2013 with two CHAOS members taking each other on.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9641\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00433.jpg?resize=696%2C464\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00433.jpg?w=5860&amp;ssl=1 5860w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00433.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00433.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00433.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00433.jpg?resize=696%2C464&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00433.jpg?resize=1068%2C712&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00433.jpg?resize=630%2C420&amp;ssl=1 630w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00433.jpg?w=1392 1392w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00433.jpg?w=2088 2088w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Yano\u2019s G1 matches tended to be comedy affairs that emphasised shenanigans over wrestling, but in this match Yano came out to prove that he could wrestle, and he stood up to Ishii with strikes and suplexes that you don\u2019t normally see from him.\u00a0 The crowd was really into this match, and firmly behind Yano, who got a near fall after a belly-to-belly suplex.\u00a0 Ishii finally picked up a win by taking a leaf from Yano\u2019s book and hit a low blow, followed by a roll-up.\u00a0 This was a really fun match, and a great performance by Yano.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, 8:52<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Juice Robinson <\/strong>vs. <strong>Tama Tonga: <\/strong>Tama Tonga came out with Tanga Loa, which should have suggested that there would be shenanigans in this match at some point.\u00a0 Juice won the US Championship in San Francisco, so pins against him in the G1 will likely result in title defences later in the year.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9642\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00473.jpg?resize=696%2C464\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00473.jpg?w=5883&amp;ssl=1 5883w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00473.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00473.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00473.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00473.jpg?resize=696%2C464&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00473.jpg?resize=1068%2C712&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00473.jpg?resize=630%2C420&amp;ssl=1 630w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00473.jpg?w=1392 1392w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00473.jpg?w=2088 2088w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This match was okay, but it went on for a long time, and there was a lot of stalling.\u00a0 Juice is a great babyface, and he can make anything entertaining, but I wanted to see more actual wrestling.\u00a0 I really like Tama\u2019s look and character, but he hasn\u2019t yet shown anything particularly special in the G1, and the storyline with the Bullet Club means a lot of interference, which is also not ideal in the G1.\u00a0 Tama picked up a win after Tanga Loa distracted Juice, who then took him out, but when he tried to hit Tama with a Pulp Friction Tama reversed it into a Gun Stun.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Winner: Tama Tonga, 14:05<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Hirooki Goto <\/strong>vs. <strong>SANADA<\/strong> \u2013 Compared to the previous match this was night and day.\u00a0 SANADA was hugely popular with the live crowd, and he started strong at a fast pace against the NEVER Openweight Champion.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9645\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00587.jpg?resize=696%2C464\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00587.jpg?w=6000&amp;ssl=1 6000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00587.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00587.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00587.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00587.jpg?resize=696%2C464&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00587.jpg?resize=1068%2C712&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00587.jpg?resize=630%2C420&amp;ssl=1 630w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00587.jpg?w=1392 1392w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00587.jpg?w=2088 2088w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>SANADA seemed to have Goto\u2019s moves figured out, and was able to counter a lot of his trademark spots, going as far as hitting an <em>ushigoroshi<\/em> of his own on Goto.\u00a0 SANADA managed to lock in the Skull End, but Goto eventually escaped, and SANADA attempted a moonsault, which missed.\u00a0 SANADA attempted another Skull End, but it was countered, and followed by a GTR, although SANADA then countered the next into a rollup for a near fall.\u00a0 Goto finally hit a rope-assisted GTR, followed by a full GTR for a victory.\u00a0 This was a very good match, in which the crowd were very invested.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Winner: Hirooki Goto, 13:38<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Kota Ibushi <\/strong>vs. <strong>Zack Sabre Jr. \u2013<\/strong> This match was a rematch from the New Japan Cup, when ZSJ beat Ibushi by referee stoppage, en route to winning the cup.\u00a0 TAKA Michinoku accompanied Zack to the ring and did his hype-man routine, before Ibushi came out to thunderous cheers.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9644\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00653.jpg?resize=696%2C464\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00653.jpg?w=6000&amp;ssl=1 6000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00653.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00653.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00653.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00653.jpg?resize=696%2C464&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00653.jpg?resize=1068%2C712&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00653.jpg?resize=630%2C420&amp;ssl=1 630w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00653.jpg?w=1392 1392w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00653.jpg?w=2088 2088w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This was another great match between these two, with Zack trying to focus on keeping Ibushi grounded and working on the submissions, and Ibushi punishing him with stiff strikes whenever he had the opportunity.\u00a0 It seemed like Sabre got lured into strike exchanges at some point, and even though he\u2019s a decent striker, Ibushi clearly had the edge with his strong kicks.\u00a0 ZSJ did everything in his power to avoid a Kamigoye, and he was able to dodge Ibushi\u2019s first attempt at the knee strike.\u00a0 Finally, Ibushi got the win after a straightjacket German suplex, and a Kamigoye.\u00a0 This was definitely the best match of the two shows up to this point, and probably even better than their New Japan Cup outing earlier this year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Winner: Kota Ibushi, 22:58<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Tetsuya Naito <\/strong>vs. <strong>Kenny Omega<\/strong> \u2013 Last year Naito beat Omega in the G1 final, which set up his match with Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 12.\u00a0 The crowd were hugely behind Naito in this match, and the initial \u201cNaito\u201d chants were almost deafening.\u00a0 In the last few weeks Kenny had said some disparaging remarks about Naito, and it was clear that both men were ready to do battle in this match.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9643\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00792.jpg?resize=696%2C464\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00792.jpg?w=6000&amp;ssl=1 6000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00792.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00792.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00792.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00792.jpg?resize=696%2C464&amp;ssl=1 696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00792.jpg?resize=1068%2C712&amp;ssl=1 1068w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00792.jpg?resize=630%2C420&amp;ssl=1 630w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00792.jpg?w=1392 1392w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/DSC00792.jpg?w=2088 2088w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The opening segment was quite cagey, with Naito doing his <em>tranquilo<\/em> pose in the ring, and Kenny taking a page out Naito\u2019s book and spitting at him.\u00a0 Omega took control after dumping Naito outside and over the guard rail, then hitting a crossbody from the ring over the guard rail.\u00a0 Omega hit his first V-trigger to the back of Naito\u2019s head, but his attempted One Winged Angel was countered into a reverse Frankensteiner.\u00a0 Naito managed to hit a Destino after he countered Omega\u2019s neck breaker, but an attempted second Destino was countered by Omega.\u00a0 Omega hit a V-trigger in the corner, then put Naito on the top turnbuckle, and attempted a One Winged Angel from the top, in a spot that looked very risky.\u00a0 Naito countered into a sunset flip powerbomb, then hit another Destino for a very close two count.\u00a0 Omega countered a second Destino into a sort of One Winged Angel, but without putting Naito on his shoulders, and hit his double underhook piledriver for a near fall of his own.\u00a0 Finally, Omega scored the pinfall with a V-trigger and a One Winged Angel.\u00a0 This was hands down the best match of the first two nights, and even though I expected Naito to win, it was a phenomenal performance by both wrestlers.\u00a0 After the match finished, Omega cut a promo in Japanese saying that if Naito worked hard he might be able to be third in the promotion after him and Ibushi.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Winner: Kenny Omega, 23:19<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Standings<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>A Block\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 B Block<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Jay White \u2013 2 pts.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Kenny Omega \u2013 2 pts.<\/p>\n<p>Togi Makabe \u2013 2 pts.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kota Ibushi \u2013 2 pts.<\/p>\n<p>Hangman Page \u2013 2 pts.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Hirooki Goto \u2013 2 pts.<\/p>\n<p>Hiroshi Tanahashi \u2013 2 pts.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Tama Tonga \u2013 2 pts.<\/p>\n<p>Michael Elgin \u2013 2 pts.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Tomohiro Ishii \u2013 2 pts.<\/p>\n<p>Kazuchika Okada \u2013 0 pts.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Tetsuya Naito \u2013 0 pts.<\/p>\n<p>EVIL \u2013 0 pts.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0SANADA \u2013 0 pts.<\/p>\n<p>YOSHI-HASHI \u2013 0 pts.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Yano Toru \u2013 0 pts.<\/p>\n<p>Minoru Suzuki \u2013 0 pts.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Zack Sabre Jr. \u2013 0 pts.<\/p>\n<p>Bad Luck Fale \u2013 0 pts.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Juice Robinson \u2013 0 pts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The opening two days of the 28<sup>th<\/sup> G1 Climax were full of quality wrestling matches, although day two was definitely better overall.\u00a0 There were some surprising results, none more so than Jay White getting a win over Okada in his first ever G1 match.\u00a0 Clearly, Jay is going to have a big tournament, and this could be the making of a great heel, given the crowd\u2019s reaction to his winning promo.\u00a0 The best match, ringwork wise, was the Kenny-Naito match to close day two, although the ZSJ-Ibushi match was great too.\u00a0 I foresee Kenny and Ibushi both having very strong tournaments \u2013 their match is on the final night before the final.\u00a0 Proper wrestling Yano was also a highlight of day two, and hopefully he continues putting on wrestling clinics.\u00a0 Even though they all lost their first matches, all the members of Los Ingobernables de Japon were extremely over with the live crowd, and it was interesting that Naito got significantly more cheers than the IWGP Heavyweight Champion.\u00a0 I was less of a fan of the interference in the Fale and Tama Tonga matches \u2013 hopefully this won\u2019t be a recurring theme throughout the whole tournament.\u00a0 I expect Suzuki and Naito to bounce back from this first loss, although with Okada being in the slump that he\u2019s in now, it\u2019s impossible to tell.\u00a0 Whatever happens, this G1 started off with a great weekend of matches.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By\u00a0Tokyo Wrestling Fan @twf87 The 28th G1 Climax began on July 14th, kicking off 19 shows of one of the perennial tournaments of the year in New Japan Pro Wrestling.\u00a0 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":9650,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2,204,37,22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9634","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-featured","category-njpw","category-njpw-reviews","category-reviews"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9jnWd-2vo","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/G1tokusetu.jpg?fit=1500%2C500&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9634","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9634"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9634\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9649,"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9634\/revisions\/9649"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9650"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9634"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9634"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/prowrestlingjournal.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9634"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}