Tomoaki Honma vs YOSHI-HASHI

YOSHI-HASHI is undoubtedly fluent. His movements are smooth, but they are not what I call effective. This is something I see in this match with Honma, his opponent has all energy and charisma to carry him through a match.

YOSHI I believe lacks that presence. Under my creative direction, YOSHI would need new gear/look and work on animating expressions and making himself more present to the crowd.

The match is solid, nothing to fault. Just didn’t want to watch more. Honma out shone and the crowd felt that.

Honma takes the win with a Kokeshi from the top.

2.3/5

EVIL vs Yuji Nagata

EVIL’s retribution for Nagata’s win over Naito.

We see a very aggressive and malicious EVIL, Nagata wasn’t going to walk through Los Ingobernables. The workings of the match were well thought out, Nagata’s leg and EVIL’s arm. The crowd was invested. This years G1 Climax has really aloud a vast amount of wrestlers to shine, that’s how you book a tournament.

Nagata drives home a victory with two back drop drivers, but walks out injured with the leg. Los Ingobernables is down but hopefully not out.

2.5/5

Kenny Omega vs Toru Yano

Omega more frustrated than ever. Yano’s mind games effective.

Opening stages of the match are unfortunate, Omega I believe is at his finest when he cuts the crap and takes your head off. Yano makes a fool out of Omega. I get it, Yano is great at his job but when are we going to see Omega take this tournament seriously?

This match is very reminiscent of Kenny Omega’s DDT days. If Omega wants to play in the big leagues hes going to have to not just talk a big game but play it as such. The one winged angel will never rise to greatness if he doesn’t take it.

The match is entertaining don’t get me wrong, I am the biggest Omega fan… but this is the G1 CLIMAX.

Kenny Omega gains his first win with the bicycle knee, then proceeds to spray his crouch with cold spray…

2/5

Katsuhiko Nakajima vs Katsuyori Shibata

Who is the best at collapsing lungs with kicks. Lets find out.

It was tense, I didn’t know who would win or if someone would die. Every shot, every spot had malice, it had intent to hurt. This should be at the top of every wrestlers training schedule, do you look effective and can you suspend disbelief? Matches like these remind me of days with KENTA, Misawa, Kobashi and Kawada. True traditional Japanese wrestling.

Nakajima applies sound wrestle psychology, work Shibata’s injured left shoulder and beat him to a pulp. Boo’s rain down from the crowd, the’re behind their NJPW home comer. Shibata holds nothing back. Nakajima brings his A game. It is brutal, nothing but fighting spirit.

Shibata drains Nakajima and hits him with the penalty kick for the win. Nakajima is a serious talent, the crowd recognizes it.

4/5

Michael Elgin vs Tetsuya Naito

Two of my favourite guys in NJPW, dream match… lets hope I haven’t over sold it. The IC Champion vs Tranquilo Anarchy.

Naito seems to haven’t lost any confidence, even after not having any wins to his name. I can definitely tell Elgin is doing everything in his power to be favored by the Japanese crowd, a seriously hard worker. On the other hand Naito is just too cool, hes relaxed and arrogant but fires off like a shot gun when he see’s an opportunity. A very fun match-up.

Elgin brings a very Japanese influenced style which combats with Naito’s Lucha Libre. Always great to see combinations in effect. Strong cards have a mix of variety. This mix of styles creates great spots that transitions into other great spots. It is brute force vs flare.

Elgin hits a huge avalanche power bomb and the crowd explodes! Reverse Rana by Naito, the crowd losses it! The tension is real. The ending sequences is pure fire!

Naito grabs the win with two Desinto’s.

3.7/5