Anyone else notice the ring announcer started saying Ladies and Gentleman before saying kudasai.

Fale vs Hiroyoshi Tenzan

Two of the slower workers in this tournament, each for there own reason.Signature moves were execute quite well keeping in mind Fale is giant. That match had nothing to fault. Tenzan did another moonsault, is still very scary to watch.

Fale pins Tenzan with the thumb to throat thingy. Should really learn what that move is called.

Hirooki Goto vs Tama Tonga

A lot of emphasis has been put into Goto’s entrance, sadly not sure why he isn’t booked that way. Really liked Tonga’s face paint, black crotch still looks super weird.

These two styles actually worked really nicely with each other, unfortunately back and forth throughout the majority was very you hit move, now I hit move. Not a whole lot of creativity going on.

Crowd was definitely on side of Goto, Tonga appeared to do his best Randy Orton impression which set up in to a really crazy rope running into a GTR spot for the finish.

2/5

Naomichi Marufuji vs SANADA

Plain and simple, this is going to be fucking awesome! Two of the top new legit contenders for the main event spots in NJPW. Both defeating favourites Okada and Tanahashi in the first night of G1 26.

Excellent chain wrestling begins the match, we are being educated. There is a thick energy to this match that you can feel after the first sequence. Both are making a serious dent in New Japans main event scene. SANADA really shows the heel after giving up on sportsmanship. Momentum is in a constant trade, strike battle enforces the more dominate competitor A slick running spot enables SANADA to hit his double leap frog drop kick sequence.

SANADA pulls out some amazing dodges of Marufuji’s kicking set. Seamlessly following a spring board drop kick, reverses his way into a tiger suplex. A failed Slide Bread is punished with a fire mans carry cutter. First guillotine of the night is locked in. Marufuji nails a super kick sequence and hits a clean Slice Bread for the win.

Not has long as I would have liked, but still a good match. Maybe its Marufuji’s time on the contenders list and not SANADA.

3/5

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tomohiro Ishii

Tanahashi now coming back from a large loosing streak is on a roll again. He now faces the Stone Pitbull, who hasn’t had the best of luck in this G1, hes not in a good mood. The super star that Tana is, has a spring in his step. Lets hope Ishii doesn’t go ahead and break his legs.

A power opening of the match outwits Ishii who is hit with two arm drags, a dropkick and an air guitar for measure. Ishii isn’t taking any of Tana’s strikes, so use whats useful; a second rope cross body. Ishii attacks the knee and applies his offence. Yet again strikes are ineffective to Ishii. Tana needs a new game plan.

First dragon screw. Flipping senton from the second. Close fall. Tanahashi’s wrestling style is almost like a machine gun, not a variety of rounds but a whole god damn lot of them. Foolishly Tana goes back to striking which is met with an onslaught of stiff smacks and kicks. Arrogant in his approach hes seems to be trying to prove a point, a point to a brick wall but a point non the less. A fighting spirit spot is applied to the top rope, don’t think I have ever seen it done that way. Second Dragon screw through the ropes puts Ishii on the defense. The fighting continues to the top rope. Huge stalling Superplex delivered by Ishii, was actually amazing. Crowd still chanting for Tana.

An extended trade of forearms sets both on fire. Ishii as usual steps into every strike, delivering a Powerbomb. Strong Lariat to Tana’s throat fires up the crowd. Sling blade is reversed into a Brain buster reversed into a spinning neck breaker.Two huge dragon Suplexes are traded, Tana answers with an arm capture German.

Flying cross body misses, SLIDING D! KICK OUT! Stealing that damn show here!

Lariat is answered with a stiff exchange of headbutts. Another dragon suplex from the Ace. Awesome Sling Blade sequence is followed with a high cross body. Crowd and myself are loosing it!

Frog Splash comes down for the win.

Fantastic story, great wrestling. What more can you want. Finally A Block showing some guts.

3.5/5

Kazuchika Okada vs Togi Makabe

Interestingly enough this match is high stakes, both sitting on equal points. Winner claims leadership of the A Block.

Coin drops.

Dead silence, because they still haven’t licensed Makabe’s intro….

Makabe actually wears a mouth guard on his bottom row of teeth, hes a legit gorilla.

Okada shows his talent and controls Makabe after a failed shoulder block stint. Slow start to the match allows Okada to work Makabe down, we see slight hints of a heel Okada, maybe this is something that could be awesome in the future. Makabe power slams Okada and begins his attack, Lariats to each corner and the 10 punch. Really dont like this guys move set. Makabe’s gear looks like he asked some dodgey wrestling gear maker to mimic Okada’s gear just in a much larger size.

Makabe fills the next 3 min of the match with more Lariats, which don’t look like they connect very well. Okada nails a huge elbow drop from the top. Camera man misses his cue for the Rainmaker pose. Makabe delivers another Lariat and a awkward power bomb in which he doesn’t get the right amount of elevation on Okada. Makabe hits Okada with a over head throw from the top and misses the knee drop.

The Rainmaker is reversed into a bridging German suplex. Makabe keeps saying fuck like he knows what it means, guess it just looses meaning if you saying 100 times in a match.

Okada finishes Makabe of with the drop kick, tombstone and the Rainmaker.

2.5/5