External presence

FUJIWARA ARMBAR covering NJPW + other Japanese promotions
twitter.com/fujiwaraarmbar ask.fm/fujiwaraarmbar

1 August 2014

G1 CLIMAX 24: Day 7

G1 CLIMAX 24: DAY SEVEN
Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
1st August 2014 

Everybody loves Korakuen Hall, right?

On the site of Tokyo Dome Hall complex is arguably the spiritual home of Japanese wrestling, an approximately 2000 capacity cuboid on the fifth floor of an otherwise unremarkable-looking building. Smaller promotions build to shows at Korakuen to blow off their biggest angles and larger promotions at their most highly-scrutinised time of year still incorporate Korakuen in their schedules because, it seems, that there really isn't another place like it that just seems so perfectly constructed for ring-based sports and pseudo-sports (like boxing).

As Korakuen is slap bang in the centre of a major metropolis and yet hosts a small show compared to what NJPW could reasonably draw, the fans in the building tend to be that much more into the action considering how 'on it' they have to be to get tickets. Korakuen also does pretty cool things like offer standing room tickets on the day of the show and allow companies to share the space during the calendar day thus potentially halving costs. Anywhere from 5 to 10 shows a week are held at Korakuen thus meaning if you live in Tokyo you are one lucky son, daughter or otherkin childling of a gun.

Korakuen Hall
Not that any of the above will concern the 20 men taking part in tonight's chapter in the so-far pretty damn good 24th edition of the G1 Climax. Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi, the darlings of 2012 and 2013, have been given the night off to tend to their wounds. Surprising then, given the absence of two of the most important wrestlers of the last half-decade, that we still have a pretty fantastic-looking card.

Block A: Satoshi Kojima - Shelton Benjamin 
Previous beef: In their only singles match to date, Shelton Benjamin defeated Satoshi Kojima in the 2012 G1 Climax.

Though he has sunk back into the middle of his block, the new methodical and clinical version of Shelton (Superfluous X) Benjamin that we have been exposed to has been a real treat during this tournament, now arriving at a pleasurable but semi-weird state where the world begins to look forward to his New Japan matches rather than mildly suffer through them. 

In a match watched out of sequence owing to Ustream issues, the pair put on a really snappy opener with good heat (both men like to jiggle their pectorals after hitting big moves), no bullshit and lots of cool sequences (e.g. Benjamin dropping Kojima back-first on top of the railing looked really nice and probably legit painful). 

Shelton Benjamin
Kojima's great to put in the opener as he gets the crowd nicely pumped, always wrestles a good standard of match and sets the bar at a solid but clearable height. It's also just reward for some of those lousy guys he had to face during his tenure as NWA Heavyweight Champion earlier in the year. In this instance he stretches Benjamin's losing streak to three, sitting two points adrift in the Block. ***

Kojima [6] d. Benjamin [8]

Block B: Lance Archer - Toru Yano 
Previous beef: Yano defeated Archer during the 2011 G1 Climax, though the two have sporadically clashed over the Tag Team Titles throughout the years.

A funny and short comedy match between straight-man Archer, who people overrate in terms of his self-seriousness, and Yano, who elevates buffoonery to a high plateau. They only get six minutes in which to do their thing but its a constant thrill-ride of cheating, thwarting and joking.

Will trade
After some referee human shield business, Yano manages to ding the undercarriage of the American Psycho and threaten another shock roll-up victory. But, after powering out, Archer ultimately has the last laugh by way of a well-delivered Blackout to catch Yano in the Block and potentially re-assert himself as a contender. **3/4

Archer [6] d. Yano [6]

Block B: Karl Anderson - Yujiro Takahashi 
Previous beef: Takahashi's defection from CHAOS to Anderson's Bullet Club means that recently the two have been more likely to have been paired together than as enemies. Anderson defeated Takahashi during the 2013 Blocks and in the 2012 tournament to crowd the first NEVER Champion (title currently held by Takahashi). Takahashi has had success against Anderson, notably during the 2012 Blocks.

It's taken me longer than most to get into Karl Anderson. When I arrived at the gates of New Japan, I had heard mythical things about The Best American Not Signed To A Major Federation, that Anderson was a big deal and everyone was missing out.

Naturally I was quite excited to see this man and with the bar of expectation set to an unreasonable degree, he could not clear it and I jumped on his back. I felt, in ratings terms, he could top out at 3.5, maybe 3.75 with the right opponent, but that was it. Also it doesn't really help matters that I still don't like Bullet Club. It feels forced and slightly at-odds and cheap heel heat grates on my very enzymes. 

The former Chad 2 Badd
However, his run at this year's G1 Climax is starting to pick up pace: not least because he is winning after a terrible start of 0-3, but because his matches are showing the capability of performing good standard matches within the limited time-and-pre-hype parameters. Here, against stablemate Takahashi (to whom he offers a respectful display) he has a fine short match that counters his opponent's occasionally dirgeful tendency by keeping the pace and intensity up.

A fifth defeat in a ten match Block would have surely spelled death for Machine Gun. However, condemning stablemate Takahashi to his fourth defeat by way of Gun Stun surely rests all the weight on that all Bullet Club G1 Final on the shoulders of Styles. ***1/4

Anderson [6] d. Takahashi [4]

Block A: Davey Boy Smith Jr. - Doc Gallows 
Previous beef: though the two have feuded extensively over the Tag Titles of both New Japan and WWE, this is their first singles match.

Though Gallows' previous match with fellow giant Bad Luck Fale was not tremendously well-received and the chances of either men making it to the runners-up final, let alone the G1 Final itself, being slim-to-none, this match turned out pretty nicely. Chemistry was apparent between two guys who have locked horns for the major tag titles on either side of the Pacific.

Davey Boy Smith Jr.: clearly as far from Wigan as he can be
A battle of the big guys with plenty of immersive brawling and weaponry and strength (Smith Jr. holding up the 300lb Gallows in a Stalling Vertical Suplex for ages), the match built intelligently and pleasantly throughout. What was clear to see, given the effective 'dead' status of a match like this, is how much they really want to get themselves and each other and the whole damn tournament over.

Yesterday, Ishii went to the well and dragged out the Sharpshooter in homage to his mentor. Today, Smith Jr. goes to the same well and drags out the same move, though in homage to Uncles Bret and Owen. With 270lbs of torque wrenching on Gallows' back, he taps under the strain, concluding a completely entertaining match. ***1/4

Smith Jr. [6] d. Gallows [4]

Block B: Hirooki Goto - Hiroyoshi Tenzan 
Previous beef: Tenzan defeated Goto during the 2012 tournament, returning the favour for Goto's opening night victory in 2011. However, Goto holds victories over Tenzan in the 2008 and 2009 editions, as well as on the Explosion PPV of 2007.

Now wrestling with the pressure of proving a point off his back, Hiroyoshi Tenzan steps up his game another notch against Hirooki Goto, who has been on a stinker of a run since picking up three consecutive wins. This was a fine finish to the opening half of the show, with a molten crowd behind Tenzan every step of the way.
Though the above tweet spoilers the ending ahead of the natural momentum of this review, Mr. Lariato says it as well as anybody could. Goto was trying to get control of the match and the crowd, destroying Tenzan's famously weak back with the ushikoroshi but the Raging Bull would not stay down. I'm against drugs in 'real' sports but if it transpires that Tenzan's renaissance is drug-inspired then I'm all for it. ***3/4

Tenzan [6] d. Goto [6]

Block A: Bad Luck Fale - Tomoaki Honma
Previous beef: in the build to Fale's Wrestle Kingdom 8 King of Destroyer (Last Man Standing) match with Honma's stablemate Togi Makabe, Fale defeated Honma by knockout. Honma holds three singles victory over Fale's previous gimmick.

After a rest day for Honma, the revival of his act comes against the mighty Intercontinental Champion, who has been wielding his Bad Luck Fall (Border Toss) as a real act of damnation. Fale, probably in need of performances more than he is in need of points, has an easy ride against an opponent willing to bump like crazy and generate heat.

Honma takes his pursuit of the big Kokeshi that step further, landing a top-rope-to-the-outside version onto Fale. Honma tries to drill down the giant with two lariats and fails, so he winds up his lariat-o arm and tries again to great success and the sound of the Korakuen Hall going apocalyptic around him. Unfortunately, he cannot maintain a steady hand on the tiller: Fale catches Honma in the BLF position and throws his man high and hard. Honma lands either perfectly or awkwardly, depending on what a potential injury scan says, with Fale taking the victory. ***1/2

Fale [8] d. Honma [0] 

Block B: Tetsuya Naito - Togi Makabe 
Previous beef: as nominal babyfaces the two are sometimes buddies of convenience in tag matches. Makabe defeated Naito during the 2010 and 2012 G1 as well as the 2010 New Japan Cup semi-final.   

Whilst Naito has been travelling around Japan and delighting crowds and getting the heat back that was destroyed in the wake of his failure to capture the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at the Tokyo Dome, the Korakuen remains unkind. Mixed heat at best greets the Stardust Genius. The thing is, I actually think he suits quite a heelish demeanour and wrestles better matches when taking the lead against the desires of the crowd. To wit: his phenomenal match with Ishii at New Beginning in February 2014.


Makabe's jaw doesn't feature as much here because, after all, Naito is a babyface (though in this room only half-a-dozen girls care about him). Performing the vast array of his smoothly-timed high-agility moves to fun disdain, Naito leads Makabe a merry dance much as he leads the Block, even finding room to smash Makabe with that gorgeous German suplex.

Makabe is as tough as old boots and penetrates Naito's flash with curt lariats and reversals. A renewed character in accepting his veteran babyface status, Makabe earns the win in a really good match that (spoiler) would be outstripped three times after its end, but taken in isolation provided full entertainment for the house. Naito bumps hard for the Spider German after straining against it, whilst Makabe finishes the job with a King Kong Knee Drop. ****

Makabe [6] d. Naito [8]

Block B: AJ Styles - Minoru Suzuki
Previous beef: The pair have never been in the same ring together. 

Immediately after the conclusion of this match there were pockets of anger that Minoru Suzuki doesn't get to wrestle matches of this length, calibre and style more often. Shunted into a practically wrestling-free feud with Toru Yano for 18 months, almost dimming the memory of the Meltzer-approved classic with Hiroshi Tanahashi in the back end of 2012.

Perhaps it wasn't unreasonable to think that the 46 year old's better days were long gone. In NJPW's defence, Suzuki can be incredibly surly in-ring and an uneven seller. His five matches thus far in this tournament were fine at best and relatively anonymous at worst.

Minoru Suzuki: style icon
But given the chance to shine, he rarely falters: in the 2013 edition, his matches with Ishii, Ibushi, Naito and Nagata were all exciting and - Suzuki's unique selling point - different to everybody else's. Almost a perfect hybrid of a classic love-to-hate-them pro-wrestling heel and a legitimate shooter, his record of fine matches and commitment to physical well-being precedes him.

AJ Styles, who we've talked about in terms about getting himself over and working with a variety of opponent to fantastic effect, has seen guys like this before: Samoa Joe (who admittedly is less 'legit') to name but one. And we all know how, given time and non-screwy booking, matches between those two usually turned out.

AJ Styles
To place those matches in the same league as this match would be wrong because AJ Styles in 2014 is a better wrestler than AJ Styles in 2006. What I am slowly burning toward here is that the confluence of workers and timing and pure occasion here, whilst on paper seemed like a potentially weird or unworkable match-up, should have been known beforehand to likely yield a houseburner of a match.

After writing 'RUNNING PK ON APRON' (delivered by Suzuki) in my notebook quite early on, I couldn't in all pseudo-journalistic conscience bring myself to look away from this match. Specific moments will be lost until a rewatch, but as all-consuming spectacles go there can't be many finer than this across all forms of art or entertainment.


This was less about cohesion and more a case of two guys who seemed to inhabit each other's mind, knowing how to make best use of what was coming and elevate it to the next level. The fluidity was unbelievable: Suzuki catching Styles' arm mid Superman Punch and rolling through for an armbreaker made Twitter explode and me, sat on my bed, gasp in delight.

There was interference that possibly teased a Suzuki-gun v Bullet Club feud, though fortunately it did not affect the match and gave both guys an extra rest spot. Styles won, as if winning really matters in the grandest sense of all, with the crowd at the end chanting 'A! J! A! J!' even though the guy is meant to be the worst thing in the world: a foreign heel champion. 

Suzuki goes pleasingly berserk at the end, throwing water into the ring. Both guys leave with their reputations affirmed, restored, elevated, bettered, whatever synonyms you want for 'better than they were before the began'. The internet rushes to reconfigure its Match of the Year list. ****3/4

Styles [8] d. Suzuki [6]

Block A: Katsuyori Shibata - Yuji Nagata
Previous beef: Nagata and Shibata fought to the back during a tag match at Dominion 6.21. Nagata defeated Shibata at the 2004 G1 Climax. Unusually, the pair met twice in the 2003 G1 Climax, drawing one match and Nagata winning a Block Decision match. Shibata holds a 2003 victory over Nagata by count-out. 

Following that is no easy feat and I think the world would have almost certainly cut these two some slack if they'd gone to easy street to let the world breathe ahead of the main event. However. It's Nagata. It's Shibata. They don't have a clue what taking it easy means.


A gradual start explodes into warfare on the outside when Nagata steals Shibata's sprinting kick to stricken man on the railings spot. Irked, Shibata does precisely the same back to Nagata as NJPW's biggest Nagata fan Shinpei Nogami, restored to his rightful place on commentary, begins melting down.

This is a real tough-guy match, with some of the most brutal slapping and kicking I've seen outside shoot-style matches. Shibata constantly bitch-slaps Nagata, pressing his buttons and before long the lesser-spotted Angry Nagata, having some fine matches this tournament, comes blazing into play, wrenching Shibata's arms this way and that in submissions.

Nagata has taken some defeats in this tournament and Shibata has scored some tremendous victories, but the recent GHC Heavyweight Champion scores the unlikely win with a second Backdrop Hold into pin, after Shibata manages to kick out of the first. Nogami screams "JUSTICE!!!!!!!!" as loud as his lungs can manage. Both men retire to the back, presumably to be encased in ice. ****1/4

Nagata [6] d. Shibata [8]

Block A: Shinsuke Nakamura - Tomohiro Ishii  
Previous beef: Nakamura and Ishii are stablemates in CHAOS and thought to be real-life friends (given the content of Nakamura's Instagram account is usually pictures of Ishii eating or falling asleep somewhere). Nakamura defeated Ishii during the 2007 BOSJ tour in their only singles bout.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs Tomohiro Ishii: DREAM MATCH
When the headline matches were announced for the G1 Climax, this one elicited a shriek of delight from the live crowd in Osaka as well as half the internet, myself included. In storyline they're tag partners, stablemates and similarly phlegmatic and charismatic figures on a rise in the promotion after short periods recalibrating their thing. In real life, they're genuine friends and two of the best wrestlers on the planet.

With the crowd in Tokyo struggling to get wind after some of the most brilliant and brutal and balletic wrestling you're ever likely to see, the two expertly control the opening to allow that invitation into the headspace and narrative of this particular match. The story proper opens as Nakamura releases a clean break and offers a rare handshake. Ishii demurs, slapping his leader across the chops.

Ishii, desperate not to lose after three defeats, including against Tanahashi in the night before's main event, rages wildly against Nakamura's arsenal of knees and throws with hard lariats and a classic second-rope brainbuster. With every Ishii match, there's a novel spin on a move rarely performed by their opponent, as illustrated below:

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuck (credit: Bootaaay on NEOGAF)

Nakamura, clear in his real affinity for Ishii, allows his opponent some shine spots that threaten the win and display his incredible fighting spirit: a one-count kick out from a second rope Boma Ye and a second kick out from a further Boma Ye. Putting Ishii's cannonball-esque shoulders down on the mat seems to be the only thing Nakamura cannot do, until he finds the reserve to hit a third finisher to the noggin of his friend.

Bros 'til the end
This was a fantastic world-class and main event worthy match that just happened to occur on the same night as something incredibly magical and unique. There is emotional payoff at least, with the often solar figure of Nakamura hugging it out with the dour Ishii. Nakamura puts over Ishii's toughness as the entire building chants his name. 

Nakamura is the first in the tournament to ten points. The reality is that Ishii is likely out of contention now and the best he can do is spoil the party for anybody who might stand in his friend's way. Wonderful. ****1/2

Nakamura [10] d. Ishii [6]

Show of the year. That's all you need to know. See it.
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)