Hokkaido Sports Centre, Sapporo
July 21st 2014
It's time for the previewing and the fantasy booking and the oh-god-is-it-on-Ustream to officially stop. This is it. The commencement of the premier wrestling tournament on earth beyond the annual battle royal at Juggalo Championshit Wrestling contested at the annual Gathering of the Juggalos.
The NJPW battle bus is at its northernmost destination for this tour, at Sapporo on the island of Hokkaido. The home of the 1972 Winter Olympics and an annual snow festival, the traditionally cool climate is about to get A MASSIVE CLICHE insert something about heat.
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| Top row (l-r): Smug Foreigner, Weird Sex Man, Burning Man, Crime Boss, Bizarro Sam Malone, RAINMAKER, Swaglord, BITW, Soon To Be X NJPW, Alan Whicker, Son of Anarchy, The Smallest Giant. Bottom row (l-r): Get A Suit!, Tenzan 007, Grumpy Dad, "FUCK OFF", Ferret, Guitar Asshole, Glaucoma Glasses, Salute Dork, Glad To Be Here, Not Glad To Be Here |
Tonight Lance Archer and Davey Boy Smith Jr., who together comprise the Killer Elite Squad, will get the night off to pursue other activities. For the 20 other entrants into the tournament, it's the night to get some points on the board. Here are the draws one more time.
BLOCK A: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shinsuke Nakamura, Katsuyori Shibata, Tomohiro Ishii, Tomoaki Honma, Yuji Nagata, Bad Luck Fale, Shelton X. Benjamin, Satoshi Kojima, Doc Gallows, Davey Boy Smith Jr.
BLOCK B: AJ Styles, Tetsuya Naito, Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, Togi Makabe, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Lance Archer, Toru Yano, Minoru Suzuki, Yujiro Takahashi, Karl Anderson.
Remember: everybody fights everybody in their block. It's 2 points for a win, 1 point each for a draw/double KO, and zero for a defeat and a double DQ/countout. Most points in each block goes to the G1 Climax Final. It's that simple. LET'S GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
A stylistic point: I have pre-written a concise history of any known 'beef' (conflict/history/tension) between all drawn pairs in this tournament. Reviews of the matches themselves will be a short paragraph unless completely meritorious of further exposition.
Also I have added some .gifs that I have found. Get in touch if they are yours and you would credit or removal.
A stylistic point: I have pre-written a concise history of any known 'beef' (conflict/history/tension) between all drawn pairs in this tournament. Reviews of the matches themselves will be a short paragraph unless completely meritorious of further exposition.
Also I have added some .gifs that I have found. Get in touch if they are yours and you would credit or removal.
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| Bad Luck Fale: on debut |
Previous beef: Their factions are in a perpetual war-cycle, but these two combatants have had only sparing exchanges. Ishii defeated Fale twice on house shows in 2011 when the latter was referred to as King Fale, a novice babyface character.
Great start where the pair emphasise the near foot in height difference between them, showing i. one of these men is a comparative giant and therefore an estimable competitor and that ii. the other could not give a fuck how big his opponent is and will bash away until someone hits the mat.
Both men shine in a short but elegantly-constructed and hard-hitting match where sequences are established in their failure and returned to later in success: Ishii chopping down Fale with a lariat, Fale going for the Grenade (Samoan Spike), Ishii attempting a Brainbuster and a German Suplex and Fale going for his Bad Luck Fall. This final sequence proves lethal for Ishii, who sells hard all the way to the back. ***1/4
Fale [2] d. Ishii [0]
Block A: Doc Gallows - Shelton Benjamin
Previous beef: none. This is Gallows' first tournament and has been embroiled in tag team/Bullet Club business ever since. Aside from multi-man encounters in NJPW and WWE, the two are relative newcomers to one another.
I can't sit here and lie to you and say that I was hugely looking forward to this match but blow me down if they didn't actually go out there and construct a pretty decent singles match. Gallows mostly dominated, careening through the crowd with his opponent at his mercy. Just as the match threatened a lull, Benjamin exploded out of nowhere with some actual legitimate fighting spirit and put together a sequence of good wrestling that wasn't just the stitching together of spots. Maybe he's still got it? Gallows teased a comeback, but Benjamin got the clean win with Paydirt. **3/4
Benjamin [2] d. Gallows [0]
I can't sit here and lie to you and say that I was hugely looking forward to this match but blow me down if they didn't actually go out there and construct a pretty decent singles match. Gallows mostly dominated, careening through the crowd with his opponent at his mercy. Just as the match threatened a lull, Benjamin exploded out of nowhere with some actual legitimate fighting spirit and put together a sequence of good wrestling that wasn't just the stitching together of spots. Maybe he's still got it? Gallows teased a comeback, but Benjamin got the clean win with Paydirt. **3/4
Benjamin [2] d. Gallows [0]
Block B: Hiroyoshi Tenzan - Karl Anderson
Previous beef: aside from multiple tag-team title matches between Tenzan's TenKoji and Anderson's multitude of tag partners, this pair met in the 2013 G1 Climax blocks, with Karl Anderson taking the victory.
Tenzan has caught a bit of flack in some corners of the puro-related internet because of his injury-proneness and general sloth in tag contests, let alone his rare singles encounters. Whether this is unfair to the man who helped to hold the promotion together as a pro-wrestling company in its darkest days is a story for another blog to tell. The crowd are pleased to see him nonetheless.
Anderson attempts all kinds of heelery, from mockingly chanting Tenzan's name to imitating his signature Mongolian Chop attack but has surprisingly few responses to a fired-up opponent. Anderson fights from underneath throughout the contest, getting trapped in the Anaconda Vice after being on the receiving end of nearly all of Tenzan's moveset. Somehow Anderson sets up Tenzan in the Spinning Gun Stun...and Tenzan powers out! Missing the regular Gun Stun, Tenzan catches Anderson centre-ring in the Anaconda Vice and Anderson taps! Upset! Also a fine little match! **3/4
Tenzan has caught a bit of flack in some corners of the puro-related internet because of his injury-proneness and general sloth in tag contests, let alone his rare singles encounters. Whether this is unfair to the man who helped to hold the promotion together as a pro-wrestling company in its darkest days is a story for another blog to tell. The crowd are pleased to see him nonetheless.
Anderson attempts all kinds of heelery, from mockingly chanting Tenzan's name to imitating his signature Mongolian Chop attack but has surprisingly few responses to a fired-up opponent. Anderson fights from underneath throughout the contest, getting trapped in the Anaconda Vice after being on the receiving end of nearly all of Tenzan's moveset. Somehow Anderson sets up Tenzan in the Spinning Gun Stun...and Tenzan powers out! Missing the regular Gun Stun, Tenzan catches Anderson centre-ring in the Anaconda Vice and Anderson taps! Upset! Also a fine little match! **3/4
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| Satoshi Kojima: skills to pay the bills |
Previous beef: despite both competitors being mainstays of Japanese wrestling for well over a decade, winning multiple world championships each, the pair have never come into serious conflict aside from tag bouts many years ago. They met in the G1 Blocks in 2010 and 2012, sharing the spoils.
There's a really great moment in this match where Nagata drapes Kojima's legs across the top rope, supporting his face-down head. From there, Nagata whips Kojima violently over in a kind of draping spinning neckbreaker. It looks terrifying and awesome and could build the career of lesser guys. Nagata doesn't even bother to go for the pin. It's just one more awesome move that he does.
This match is a classy exchange between two veterans who still come out and give everything that they have. Neither are booked to win (one assumes) and they'll be doing some jobs along the way. They've won enough titles between them to half-ass these matches. But they don't. They go for it. Their chemistry is great and you sense they'd still give a completely credible main event style match given the opportunity. Savour them while you can. Kojima wins with a lariat. ***1/2
Kojima [2] d. Nagata [0]
Block B: Toru Yano - Minoru Suzuki
Previous beef: Yano and Suzuki have been locked in battle for a very long time now, with Yano stealing wins at last year's G1 and Wrestle Kingdom 8. Suzuki has persuaded Yano's tag partner Takashi Iizuka to turn on Yano and has managed to best Yano through much of 2014.
Many hope that the seemingly endless feud between these two will end here in a satisfying, clean and professional encounter. I don't share that wish in particular. It's a comedy guy versus a legit MMA hardnut in a dance as old as time. However, this closes out the first half of the show so perhaps there's a chance of the line being drawn tonight.
Kidding! Suzuki goes for Yano, who mugs his way to the ring complete with DVDs and a folding chair, from the bell. Downing his opponent, he quickly rips off the turnbuckle and throws Yano repeatedly into the exposed section. A couple of momentum reversals leads Yano to shove Suzuki into TAKA Michinoku, who is attempting interference, and then roll Suzuki up for yet another classic YTR stolen win. Time on the clock: 2 minutes and 15 seconds. Predictably, Suzuki goes berzerk and cleans ring attendant Yohei Komatsu's clock. A fine palate cleanser that sent me into intermission with a gigantic smile on my face. **
Yano [2] d. Suzuki [0]
B: Tetsuya Naito - Yujiro Takahashi
Previous beef: Takahashi took their encounters in the 2011 and 2013 Block matches, though in the latter Naito was able to go on and win the tournament. They were also tag partners in No Limit.
This blog is on record as not being a huge Takahashi fan. In this match he does two things, one of which is very awesome and one of which is completely bogus. The former is an incredible display of core strength, the details of which I can't remember but involved Takahashi plucking Naito out of mid-air and delivering a stunning German Suplex.
The latter was relatively early, with Takahashi attempting to repeat a suplex lift into a rope drop, coming up a couple of feet short and having Naito's ankles catch the rope and fall head-first into the mat. It looked painful and dangerous and for me was another black mark.
Naito, who appears to still be carrying a legitimate knee injury, puts up a passionate performance in attempting to rouse his often-turgid opponent into a match with a decent flow. Beyond Takahashi's botch, the match opens up into a genuinely pleasing affair with some fine moves exchanged that showcased the wrestler that Naito is most of the time and that Takahashi could be if he just upped his workrate that bit more. The present NEVER champion grabs the win over last year's G1 Champion with his new finisher Miami Shine, which I must admit is growing on me. ***1/2
Takahashi [2] d. Naito [0]
This blog is on record as not being a huge Takahashi fan. In this match he does two things, one of which is very awesome and one of which is completely bogus. The former is an incredible display of core strength, the details of which I can't remember but involved Takahashi plucking Naito out of mid-air and delivering a stunning German Suplex.
The latter was relatively early, with Takahashi attempting to repeat a suplex lift into a rope drop, coming up a couple of feet short and having Naito's ankles catch the rope and fall head-first into the mat. It looked painful and dangerous and for me was another black mark.
Naito, who appears to still be carrying a legitimate knee injury, puts up a passionate performance in attempting to rouse his often-turgid opponent into a match with a decent flow. Beyond Takahashi's botch, the match opens up into a genuinely pleasing affair with some fine moves exchanged that showcased the wrestler that Naito is most of the time and that Takahashi could be if he just upped his workrate that bit more. The present NEVER champion grabs the win over last year's G1 Champion with his new finisher Miami Shine, which I must admit is growing on me. ***1/2
Takahashi [2] d. Naito [0]
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| Togi Makabe vs. Hirooki Goto |
Previous beef: opponents in the last two tournaments, with both encounters won by Makabe. However, Goto defeated Makabe in the 2008 final. As of late, both men have been on opposing sides of battles to become the clear-cut contenders to the IWGP Tag Team Championship.
Last year it was Togi Makabe who broke Goto's jaw to end his tournament before the scheduled conclusion. Every time the two have come together since, Goto has gone for Makabe's jaw as a revenge measure. Tonight is no exception.
Makabe senses there's no point in trying to out-wrestle Goto so both men rush each other and start out incredibly hot and furious. The second quarter of their 12 minute blastathon dipped a little, but Makabe's incredible knack at getting the crowd on side starts to push the match onward and upward through an excellent second half.
No quarter is spared, it is wrestled very 'big stage' and the potential victory by either man seems likely as we enter the home stretch. Goto snatches the win with a brutal Shouten Kai, but Makabe shoots a great reminder of why he's spent so long near the upper card of New Japan. ***1/2
Goto [2] d. Makabe [0]
Last year it was Togi Makabe who broke Goto's jaw to end his tournament before the scheduled conclusion. Every time the two have come together since, Goto has gone for Makabe's jaw as a revenge measure. Tonight is no exception.
Makabe senses there's no point in trying to out-wrestle Goto so both men rush each other and start out incredibly hot and furious. The second quarter of their 12 minute blastathon dipped a little, but Makabe's incredible knack at getting the crowd on side starts to push the match onward and upward through an excellent second half.
No quarter is spared, it is wrestled very 'big stage' and the potential victory by either man seems likely as we enter the home stretch. Goto snatches the win with a brutal Shouten Kai, but Makabe shoots a great reminder of why he's spent so long near the upper card of New Japan. ***1/2
Goto [2] d. Makabe [0]
A: Hiroshi Tanahashi - Tomoaki Honma
Previous beef: Little. For much of the last year, the two have been tag team partners in multi-man matches. Tanahashi defeated Honma in singles competition in 2006 during the Makai Club invasion angle, in which Honma was known as Makai Masked Canadian, as well as on an All Japan show in 2004.
It feels like a return to singles competition after some kind absence for Tanahashi, who has worked only three singles matches on shows promoted only by his parent company. In his gradual downplaying down to niggling injuries, it is easy to take his incredible timing and character work for granted.
Honma gets a warm welcome, wrestling in Ibushi's stead. Of course had Ibushi been here then this would have been one of the most greatly anticipated matches of the tournament. Honma, who is a genuinely fine character wrestler, does not have the same corona and potential to break out and be a superstar. So it stands to reason that though Honma is a replacement for Ibushi's physical presence, he is not a replacement in terms of booking.
Perfectly placed on the card between two physical wars, an agile Tanahashi re-established the case for incredibly smooth and impeccably delivered moves with a technical twist and visual flair. Working subtly heel, Tanahashi allows room for Honma to generate sympathy and applause by continually teasing Honma's Kokeshi (diving headbutt) finisher. It's selfless work from the man who is indisputably the company star against a man who the company have placed in the doghouse on more than one occasion.
Not that Honma is incapable or undeserving of such grace: this is a truly fine match with no real flaws and deserving of a lengthier showcase. Honma eventually hits his Kokeshi but hubris overtakes him as he goes for the top rope version and misses. Tanahashi eventually downs his game opponent with a High Fly Flow and mops his head on the way out on towels brought to him by his fans. ***3/4
Tanahashi [2] d. Honma [0]
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| Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Katsuyori Shibata |
Previous beef: technically none. There is the perception that, as a dressing room leader, Nakamura was opposed to the rehiring of Shibata after his departure to perform as a freelancer/MMA fighter. The last singles match worked between the pair was in 2004. Since Shibata's return in 2012, the pair have only contested one tag team bout.
This match is big. The atmosphere around it feels very big and it is wrestled big between two names that (admittedly not constantly) have been at the forefront of New Japan Pro Wrestling since the early part of the last decade but have barely met in singles competition.
This match is big. The atmosphere around it feels very big and it is wrestled big between two names that (admittedly not constantly) have been at the forefront of New Japan Pro Wrestling since the early part of the last decade but have barely met in singles competition.
It's a fascinating bout and in using that 'f' word I'm pleased to announce that it's absolutely not a slyly-deployed synonym for 'shitty'. This is a crackerjack, box-office kind of match between one guy who helped hold the NJPW promotion together and the prodigal son who rejected it.
There's a potential problem in giving a match like this early in the tournament because you don't need to win it to get through. It's a fine argument, but this match is not worked like a bout between two guys happy to drop points and pick them up later. In a match that traverses the gamut from wild brawling to technical miniatures to brutal striking to impressive throwing and suplexing, these two display real chemistry worthy of any stage in the world.
Surprisingly, Shibata picks up the clean win with a Go 2 Sleep into a sprinting PK to the chest of Nakamura. It feels like a real seismic moment has occurred. Looking at Shibata's expressionless face, you wouldn't realise it. Quality. ****1/4
Shibata [2] d. Nakamura [0]
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| Kazuchika Okada vs. AJ Styles |
B: AJ Styles - Kazuchika Okada
Previous beef: not much. I mean, Styles vaulted the fence at Invasion Attack to beat Okada down, took his title at Dontaku, beat him in a 3-way at the ROH/NJPW iPPV in New York, then defended in a singles match at Yokohama Arena whilst the factions of both sides have warred on near enough every show since the beginning of the year. But no, no major problems, not at all.
Factoring all matches together, from their two title showdowns on NJPW iPPVs, a tag match and a triple-threat encounter in New York, IWGP Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles holds four unanswered victories over Okada. On paper, it looks bad for the Rainmaker.
In reality, Styles has only one clean victory over Okada. The crown has not slipped from Okada's head quickly, rather it appears to have been temporarily wrested by the leader of a faction who appear to have got inside the mind of the young ex-champion.
The 6000 in Sapporo roar Okada, now an overwhelming babyface, through every exchange in this pulsating encounter, arguably the best of their three singles contests so far. Yujiro appears to attempt to screw Okada out of yet another victory, but his challenge is rebuffed with Okada's sweetly-timed dropkick.
There are some killer spots and sequences too: Okada shoots Styles into the railings, but Styles hurdles the railings altogether and taunts the crowd, not counting on Okada following his Irish Whip up with a diving crossbody that knocks Styles six rows deep.
The development of Okada is a thing of joy to watch. Early in his main event career you could see the mental gears working to try and stitch all the constituent parts of a good match together: the pacing, the characterisation, the moves, the selling, the giving, the crowdwork. Now it seems so natural and effortless, and working opposite a proven quantity like AJ Styles and seeing their chemistry together develop, it amounts to pure pleasure.
In a great finishing sequence where all results including broadway were teased, Okada registered his first victory over the champion with an incredibly cathartic Rainmaker lariat, sending the fans home happy and Styles back to the locker room to rethink his approach. Stellar. ****1/2
Okada [2] d. Styles [0]
A great show and arguably the first truly satisfying NJPW experience of 2014. More importantly, I'm 7-3 in my predictions.
Factoring all matches together, from their two title showdowns on NJPW iPPVs, a tag match and a triple-threat encounter in New York, IWGP Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles holds four unanswered victories over Okada. On paper, it looks bad for the Rainmaker.
In reality, Styles has only one clean victory over Okada. The crown has not slipped from Okada's head quickly, rather it appears to have been temporarily wrested by the leader of a faction who appear to have got inside the mind of the young ex-champion.
The 6000 in Sapporo roar Okada, now an overwhelming babyface, through every exchange in this pulsating encounter, arguably the best of their three singles contests so far. Yujiro appears to attempt to screw Okada out of yet another victory, but his challenge is rebuffed with Okada's sweetly-timed dropkick.
There are some killer spots and sequences too: Okada shoots Styles into the railings, but Styles hurdles the railings altogether and taunts the crowd, not counting on Okada following his Irish Whip up with a diving crossbody that knocks Styles six rows deep.
The development of Okada is a thing of joy to watch. Early in his main event career you could see the mental gears working to try and stitch all the constituent parts of a good match together: the pacing, the characterisation, the moves, the selling, the giving, the crowdwork. Now it seems so natural and effortless, and working opposite a proven quantity like AJ Styles and seeing their chemistry together develop, it amounts to pure pleasure.
In a great finishing sequence where all results including broadway were teased, Okada registered his first victory over the champion with an incredibly cathartic Rainmaker lariat, sending the fans home happy and Styles back to the locker room to rethink his approach. Stellar. ****1/2
Okada [2] d. Styles [0]
A great show and arguably the first truly satisfying NJPW experience of 2014. More importantly, I'm 7-3 in my predictions.
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