Arguably the best card of all B Block events. We are in for a treat.

Tomoaki Honma vs Toru Yano

Tomaki Honma is someone who I think has developed immensely over this years G1. Prior to this tournament I saw him as quite a simply humorous character who had repetitive joke of missing his Kokeshi. I have been corrected over the past 8 days in the tournament, Honma looks like a determined and driven man. Fantastic to see that his humour hasn’t been washed away but been put to one side. Lets see if the deadly quick school boy by Yano will stop Honma’s momentum.

Honma is looking more and more of a star, receiving a great pop from the crowd. What I find quite interesting in how Yano is always involved in entertain matches, regardless of how hes not a serious contender. still manages to put on quite a show.

Honma looked dominate throughout comedic spots. Kokeshi from the top missing. Still managing to get the advantage. Yano with a low blow sets up his first set of offence.

Yano pins Honma with the Back Slide. The first victim of Yano.

2/5

EVIL vs YOSHI-HASHI

EVIL’s laser glove is growing on me, its only until you see it in full light that it looks lame. Would love for someone to explain the staff that YOSHI has. This match is the battle of the worst character items in NJPW.

Fast pace starts the match, wear and tear is becoming a huge factor. Both competitors almost look tired, while still trying to push through to keep energy high. New Japan should order in some more sport injury tape.

Match is nothing flash but definitely solid. I would almost say from seeing this tournament that YOSHI has elevated and could now possibly tie with EVIL on placement on cards.

Some very weak kicks sets up EVIL’s first close fall. Followed by a Butterfly lock. Crowd is injected after a very clean running Lariat from YOSHI.

Yashi takes the win with a Karma. (Pumphandle driver)

2.5/5

Katsuhiko Nakajima vs Yuji Nagata

The old vs the new. Lets see who’s generation claims the title for strong style.

After great matches Nakajima has a great following, Nagata makes his way in to a great reception, sadly Nakajima was having not of it and kick Blue Justice in the face. Clearly Nakajima is here to prove something.

Applying the pressure hard and fast, Nagata has no chance to mount the advantage. Very strong kicks are met with boo’s from the NJPW crowd. It’s day 8 and Nakajima wont slow down. Nagata finds himself in a submission which seemed very miss placed. Would have wanted to see more fight from Nagata.

Nakajima fights back from majority of Nagata’s strikes. Nagata doesn’t seem pleased and damn near breaks his jaw with a very stiff forearm. If anything this match is making Nakajima look like a beast, definitely better than Shibata’s performance over this G1.

A missed kick sets up for the Jizz Face (Nagata Lock) which Nakajima legit just throws him over. This kid is a machine. Huge strike battle follows, I am talking about an insane amount of stiff strikes from both. How is neither unconscious!? Huge Back Drop Driver puts Naka on his neck. Close pin fall. Naka out smarts the veteran by kick out his leg. Nagata’s knee is now in trouble. Another huge Belly to Belly is delivered.

A vast display of head kicks sets up Nakajima’s Brain Buster.

3/5

Very strong showing from Nakajima, someone to definitely follow in the future.

Kenny Omega vs Michael Elgin

And now the trilogy is now come down to the last match. Kenny Omega defeated Elgin in an unreal match. Elgin defeated Omega for the IC Championship in Japan’s very first ladder match. The score is now being settled.

Omega arrives adorned in too sweets and kissing babies (that actually happened). The IC Champion is met with a flurry of hands. Attacked from behind, Elgin is left but to take the full force of Omega’s plancha. Damn am I excited!

The match begins with the two Gaijns working in the crowd. Finally the action returns to the ring. Such a fantastic sequence then moves back outside. What a way to work the arena. Omega is no slouch when it comes to the strength game, but Elgin will suffer his advantage if Omega continues to work the arm.

Without giving too much away (Because people need to see this match) the sequences are amazing. Each signature move was done justice, those leading into more amazingly well executed moves. These two Canadians are seriously talented. Moves that seem like botches actually worked in such an intelligent way. I AM LOSING MY SHIT.

This match is becoming the best of there 3. If you are going to watch any match from these first 8 days of G1 this has got to be it! Huge avalanche bomb sets the crowd on fire. Omega takes the advantage after a power bomb into the corner and following it up with his own power bomb.

As ever Omega doesn’t slack with his taunts and gets back fisted into his own One Winged Angel finisher. Elgin damn near takes Omegas head off with a huge Lariat, TWICE! .

Spin out Liger Bomb pins the former IC Champion Kenny Omega.

Elgin wins the best of 3.

4/5

Katsuyori Shibata vs Tetsuya Naito

There has been an official article from Japan Sport that notes that the shoulder injury of Shibata is real. Shibata has been diagnosed with a right shoulder acromioclavicular joint subluxation and rotator cuff damage. This is huge news if it comes from a legit source. Lets hope its not serious.

Naito as ever doesn’t seemed fazed by the challenge that faces him. His all white suit reeks of confidence. Shibata enters the arena sporting a heavily tapped shoulder and knee. Naito toys with him. Can Naito’s confidence go to far and cost him? LET FIND OUT!

Naito looks like hes having a great time poking the lion. Unsurprisingly that lion bites back and kicks Naito straight in the mush. Shibata throws him around the outside, but as soon as Naito is free’d he returns to his arrogant toying self. What cant you love about him. As calculated as he is, Naito works both the shoulder and the knee.

You cant stand, you cant kick. You cant strike, you cant win.

It’s almost a joy watching Naito dismember Shibata, hes laughing and smiling, its pretty infectious. Shibata slowly returns to his normal self and with stands the strikes, even still Naito grinning from ear to ear spitting in the NEVER Weight Champs face. Pushing through the pain Shibata punishes Naito with strong elbows and kicks. Yet some how Naito gains back the advantage while blood comes out his mouth. While in submission Shibata cant reach for the rope due to the injured shoulder, god that is genius.

With every strong strike Naito absorbed he smiles, its sickening as Naito and Shibata exchange. Both are layed out. The PK kick is reversed into another submission. Naito’s Lucha Libre is being met with stiff strikes. Shibata drains Naito and hits the PK. Back into the chock.

The hand drops once, twice, three times…

Shibata defeats Naito and wont let go.

3.5/5

If the news was correct which I doubt it was, it clearly didn’t play a deal in this match