Dark days for the ACE of NJPW, has he lost it this early in?

Tomohiro Ishii vs. Bad Luck Fale

It is not often seeing Ishii man handled, but that’s what everyone’s favourite Fale did… Fale’s moves ranged from punch, big boot, shoulder block, punch and plash.

Ishii fights back in later stages of the match, throat chops and lariats always go down well with me. With a big German suplex to Fale, the crowd wakes up. Fale hits a very soft looking lariat, but Ishii kicks out of crappy thumb to throat thingy…

Ishii hits a sliding D which Fale kicks out off, then proceeds with the stalling brain buster to the 330 pound nugget. Ishii’s first win of the tournament.

1/5

Togi Makabe vs. SANADA

My thought’s on SANADA are pretty clear, hes the next Okada, simple as that. Makabe on the other hand has been booked insanely strong. Still not sure why, but it’s pretty clear the Japanese fans are getting behind the bleached blonde gorilla.

I shall try to be objective.

The match is quite solid, SANADA still as clean as he always is and Makabe looks like a determined man. At times Makabe dominates SANADA which is an interesting change of pace. Maybe fatigue is already playing a huge factor in this years G1?

Makabe pins SANADA with the diving knee drop. Makabe’s 3rd straight win.

2.5/5

Naomichi Marufuji vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan

The crowd is on fire!

We see a very confident Marufuji and a very active Tenzan, which is great to see after a flop of a match he had with Tonga. The energy is thick for these two favourites, they mold the crowd with ever move they do. Nothing’s held back, some nice flowing spots that line up to signature moves.

Still fantastic to watch Tenzan wrestle at a legitimate level even at his age, the man still does moonsaults… unbelievable. Marufuji has come into his own with strikes, they show crazy speed and placement.

Marufuji uses the Slice Bread to beat Tenzan.

Tenzan’s first loss of the tournament.

3.2/5

Tama Tonga vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Well, well, well. Tanahashi must have pissed someone off, seems Gedo is really running with Tanahashi’s fresh shoulder surgery angle. Something that I thought would play some sort of effect but had no idea to this result. I almost think Tanahashi loosing streak makes his opponents wins look weak. Not discrediting Tonga, as you all know I am a fan, but it makes Tanahashi look weak which then asks the question, well then SANADA’s win couldn’t be that special or Makabe’s winning streak not as unbelievable. Also keeping in mind Tana hasn’t been selling the shoulder and his first two opponents weren’t even working it.

If I were to book Tonga’s win over Tanahashi I would place it 3/4 through the tournament, a true shock. Build Tanahashi’s momentum a 1/4 in after heavy losses and place this one nearer to the end. But hay, I don’t book NJPW I just write about it.

So back to the match.

Tanahashi is looking much stronger, pressure is on Tonga to perform. Tonga is the first wrestler in the G1 to begin targeting the shoulder of Tanahashi. Tonga almost seems lackadaisical wrestling Tana, which seems surprising, this may be because Tonga knows the injury and knows Tana’s loosing streak. The crowd is still behind their poster boy. Dragon screw lights not only the crowd up but myself. Tonga holds his own with some very quick spots, one most popular leading into the Sling Blade.

Shock ending with the Cutter from Tonga, that beats Tanahashi. Crowd is quite. Tana is enraged.

Shock.

Disappoint.

Can I even call him ACE anymore?

2.7/5

Kazuchika Okada vs. Hirooki Goto

Time for some inner Chaos challenges, always interesting to see how the dynamic of Chaos is always seemed to be at war with each other but yet still represent their group.

Is Goto fighting for pride, respect or for control of Chaos?

Coins drops. The Rainmaker is here.

The main event starts out with some crispy chain wrestling and respectful breaks. Just a quick rule of thumb in Japan that means shits going to get real serious later. Goto is in control of the IWGP Champion after coming off a successful bout with Chaos member Ishii.

Okada’s status in the ring always seems to challenge his opponents, but it seems Goto wont back down from the leader and current face of the company. Goto’s last swing at Okada’s IWGP Heavyweight Belt was at New Beginnings 2016 and seemed to have learnt something from that loss.

Very solid back and forth from both wrestlers half way through the match. Crowd is now connected and invested. Okada sends Goto out from the top with his famous Dropkick. The light heart competitive spirit is gone as Okada tears away the metal barriers and send him into the crowd. The action returns to the ring. Goto reverses a Rainmaker attempt and turns all burners on. Goto is here to win. Hard forearms are exchanged, team members at war, this is a fight.

Rainmaker attempt runs into a solid headbutt, Okada hits another two dropkicks, the end is near. Rainmaker into GTR into Tombstone. Crowd is alive.

The Rainmaker connects defeating Goto.

4/5