G1 Climax: Block A Breakdown

The 2015 G1 Climax is about two thirds complete, with 1 week of remaining shows scheduled. It’s unpractical to try to give a rundown of everything that has happened so far, so here is a quick blast to get anyone in need up to speed on the stories in play so far. Then you have a few hours to brace yourself for the next show featuring some very important matches in the A Block. Or the beauty of the New Japan World streaming service is that you can let shows accumulate and watch them as you see fit (just don’t complain about spoilers). 

Starting with the tournament’s A Block, here is a very quick look at the participants and their stories so far, with initial emphasis on those most likely to do well in the series:

A BLOCK wrestlers

Tanahashi Hiroshi, AJ Styles (Bullet Club), Kota Ibushi, Katsuyori Shibata, Tetsuya Naito, Togi Makabe (Never Openweight Champion) ‘Bad Luck’ Fale (Bullet Club), Toru Yano (Bullet Club), Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Doc Gallows (Bullet Club, one half of IWGP Heavyweight Champions

This group features a bit more of the dynamic high flyers and smaller agile wrestlers, both on the rise (Ibushi, Naito, Shibata) and at the peak of their careers (Tanahashi, Styles) than the B Block. This is complemented by a few large, imposing figures (Fale, Gallows) and veterans (Makabe, Yano, Tenzan).

Hiroshi Tanahashi: My pick to win the entire tournament has been one of the key players in NJPW for some time, and it is believed that it is a matter of time before he is unseated. He made it clear that one of the other top players in NJPW, Kazuchika OKADA, is far from the point of dethroning him, making a rematch between the two at Wrestle Kingdom an exciting story in itself. Tanahashi had a great tournament the year before, though not winning, including a big win over then Heavyweight champ AJ Styles on the day of the finals, as both had placed 2^nd in their respective blocks, and then going on to defeat him to win the championship. He’s been on a bit of a downswing since Wrestle Kingdom, losing the title back to AJ and being on the receiving end of an upset victory by Toru Yano. Tanahashi has since avenged the loss to Yano and could very well be in the midst of his own come back story leading to Wrestle Kingdom.

Match 1: In an extremely hard fought match against the dynamic Kota Ibushi, Tanahasi won after hitting a number of Dragon Screw Leg Whips and eventually landing the High Fly Flow.

Match 2: Tanahashi powered through the veteran Tenzan Hiroyoshi, hitting the High Fly Flow for the victory.

Match 3: Tanahashi fell to the momentum of a newly reinvented Tetsuya Naito who approached the tournament with a new ruthless persona. Naito sloeed the match down to his own deliberate pace and hit a lot of offense to Tanahashi’s back, including a Neckbreaker on a table outside the ring. After a lot of exhausting looking back and forth, Naito landed his new finishing maneuver, a standing version of Sliced Bread without the aid of the turnbuckle to defeat Tanahashi.

Match 4: Tanahashi would continue to lose, this time falling prey to ‘Bad Luck’ Fale, who received a lot of assistance from Bullet Club allies. At one point the referee was pulled from the ring as Tanahashi went for the pin. Later Fale would connect with a Splash off the top rope and pin Tanahashi.

Match 5:  Tanahashi would regain momentum by defeating Toru Yano in a lengthy main event. Yano, hurting from a head injury endured in a match with Tenzan, would try a lot of hijinx, at one point grabbing referee ‘Red Shoes’ to include in a German Suplex. Eventually Tanahashi landed the High Fly Flow for the win.

Match 6: Tanahashi would continue his winning ways by defeating Bullet Club heavy Doc Gallows. Gallows landed a lot of power moves on Tanahashi, but Hiroshi would hold his own and pull out a Victory Roll (grabbing both legs to form a rectangular prism with his opponent) and getting the pin. This was a nice changeup that shows Tanahashi has more than 1 weapon in his arsenal and that the wrestlers can conserve their best weapons here and there during the tournament.

Total points: 8

AJ Styles:

AJ has been in the company a relatively short time, making an immediate splash by defeating Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight title. He had a very good run in last year’s G1, his first, picking up victories over Minoru Suzuki and Hiroki Goto. He has just taken a big loss, having been defeated by Okada for the Heavyweight title at the Domion event in July. He looks to regain his top status with this year’s tournament.

Match 1: Styles defeated Katsuyori Shibata in a  match filled with intense back and forth offense, and many counters. Styles would hit the Styles Clash for the win.

Match 2:  Styles defeated Toru Yano. Yano started right off trying to incite Styles by spitting water in his face. Styles would catch Yano as he tried to deliver a low blow, and put the trickster in the Calf Killer submission for the win.

Match 3: Styles lost to Kota Ibushi in their second ever match against each other, the first of which Styles won to defend the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Dontaku. It was an incredibly competitive match, both this time and in their previous battle. Ibushi would counter a top rope Powerbomb attempt by styles and turn it into a Huricanrana. Then, he would hit his top rope Phoenix Splash for the victory.

Match 4: Styles would next take on the emboldened Naito but fail to repeat his victory from last year’s Wrestle Kingdom. Naito slowly took off the suit that had become his signature as Styles taunted him. Naito would spit in Styles’ face mid match getting him to swing wildly at Naito who would prove to be in control, once again landing his new finisher for the win.

Match 5: Styles fought his Bullet Club brother Doc Gallows in a better than average match that Styles would win with the Bloody Sunday, a less difficult move to pull off on a large opponent than the Styles Clash.

Match 6: Styles continued on his streak of victories by defeating Togi Makabe in a very hard-hitting match. On the outside of the ring, Styles leapt the guard rail to evade getting slammed into it, but was pulled headfirst back onto it when he tried to mount an assault. Still, Styles would fight through and use the Styles Clash to gain the victory.

Total Points: 8

Kota Ibushi: The rising star missed last year’s G1 due to injury, a continual threat due to Ibushi’s insistence on keeping ties to the indie DDT promotion and carrying out dazzling feats on the regular. He has had a stellar year thus far, facing Shinsuke Nakamura for the Intercontinental Championship at Wrestle Kingdom and nearly winning, inciting many to consider the bout an early Match Of The Year contender. Ibushi would go on to win the New Japan Cup tournament by defeating the likes of Makabe, Naito, and in the finals, current Intercontinental Champion Hiroki Goto to be granted a title shot at AJ Styles. He lost the match but the result was tainted by slight yet effective interference by Ibushi’s longtime friend Kenny Omega, now a card carrying member of the Bullet Club. The sky is the limit with this soaring talent.

Match 1: Ibushi lost to Hiroshi Tanahashi (see above)

Match 2: Ibushi defeated Doc Gallows, who put the hurt on the far smaller Ibushi with a lot of offense on the outside of the ring. Ibushi would come back, though, and land a roll up victory.

Match 3: Ibushi defeated AJ Styles (see above)   

Match 4: Ibushi lost to Katsuyori in an extremely competitive fast-paced match. The two unleashed a flurry of kicks and strikes on one another til Shibata cinched in a sleeper, bringing Ibushi to a sitting position allowing him to hit the Penalty Kick for the pinfall victory.

Match 5: Ibushi defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan after a moderate exchange of offense with the veteran, at one point missing a flip onto the outside to allow Tenzan to regain the advantage. Ibushi won with the Phoenix Splash off the top rope.

Match 6: Ibushi lost to Tetsuya Naito in what felt like a grudge match. Clear dislike emanated between the two, who had an excellent match during the New Japan Cup tournament. Naito goaded Ibushi into attacking recklessly as he slowly took off the suit he wore to the ring. Ibushi would charge in to attack Naito, which the heel would often shrug off by resting against the ropes or guard rail. Eventually Naito landed his new finisher in the middle of the ring to pin his rival Ibushi. 

Total points: 6

Katsuyori Shibata: Shibata is notorious for a stiff style of wrestling, landing kicks that often appear to come very close to inflicting real damage to his opponents. It has landed him in hot water with his peers, but his current run in New Japan has been a strong one. After coming back and trading wins with long time rival of wrestling and words, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shibata had a successful tag team run with ally Goto, winning the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team straps from Gallows and Anderson at Wrestle Kingdom, before losing the titles in a rematch with the Bullet Club repping team. He had a recent feud with  experienced MMA fighter Kazushi Sakuraba, which he emerged from victorious after their singles match at Dominion.

Match 1: Shibata lost a tough match against AJ Styles (See Above)

Match 2: Shibata defeated Naito despite the heel’s new nasty side, taking him down with the Sleeper Hold, Penalty Kick, and pin.

Match 3: Shibata defeated Makabe, taking plenty of time to wear down the Never title holder with a Sleeper Hold, followed by the Penalty Kick and pin.

Match 4: Shibata defeated Kota Ibushi in an excellent match, using the Penalty Kick for the win (See Above)

Match 5: Shibata defeated the larger ‘Bad Luck’ Fale by jumping on his back and wearing him down with a sleeper hold, followed by the Penalty Kick and vpin.

Match 6: Shibata was foiled by Toru Yano, who goaded Shibata into attacking recklessly. The CHAOS member suffered the consequences, ending up on the receiving end of several hard forearms. A downed Yano would grab Shibata as he bent forward to lock on a submission, and hook him for a surprise three count.

Total points: 8

Tetsuya Naito: Naito has one of the most compelling stories coming into the G1. With no titles or remarkable feuds to speak of in the near past, there is evidence to support many’s belief that the extremely agile Naito has been languishing under his crowd pleasing persona. Although he did take AJ Styles to the limit ast Wrestle Kingdom and scored an impressive win over him in last year’s G1. He recently returned from a run in Mexico’s CMLL promotion where he apparently joined with a heel faction, Los Ingobernables. Prior to the G1, he had 1 high profile match on the Dominion show where he teamed with Tomoaki Honma and displayed an arrogant and uncooperative attitude.  For the G1 he started appearing in the ring with a menacing ‘Doom’ mask and a tear away suit, which he would take off at his leisure, or sometimes not until getting some cheap offense in on his opponent. The G1 could be the place where Naito gains serious traction as a threat to fan favorites holding championship gold in NJPW.

Match 1: Naito defeated the much larger ‘Bad Luck’ Fale, mystifying the big man with low energy escapes to the outside and sudden bursts of offense. He would take the win when he evaded a running assault and cradled an off balance Fale for the pinfall victory.

Match 2: Naito lost to Katsuyori Shibata (See Above).

Match 3: Naito defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi (See Above).

Match 4: Naito defeated AJ Styles (See Above).

Match 5: Naito lost to an enraged Togi Makabe. At the outset an increasingly frustrated referee would call for the match to begin, as Naito still hadn’t shed the suit. Makabe eagerly dived in to land vicious strikes on Naito. Naito would slow things down and hit Makabe with intense Drop Kicks. In a brutal looking spot, Makabe had Naito on the turnbuckle, poised for his Spider Suplex. Naito clasped the ring post desperately til Makabe knocked him against the post, busting Naito’s head open. The Suplex off the top caused more blood to spill, and was followed by Makabe’s King Kong Knee Drop and pin on Naito.

Match 6: Naito defeated Kota Ibushi (See Above).

Total points: 8

Togi Makabe:  There is not a lot of news to put to Togi Makabe’s name, a veteran who embodies strong style, bringing more brawl than finesse to his matches. At Wrestle Kingdom he defeated CHAOS’ Tomohiro Ishii for the Never Openweight title, a belt Ishii had become synonymous with. The rest of the year for Makabe has been about the feud over this title. After his victory, he had to vacate the title due to a severe run of influenza. The title returned to Ishii after defeating Tomoaki Honma, who is loosely affiliated with Makabe under the once more prominently used GBH faction name. Makabe won the title back at the Hinokuni (Fire Country) event and retained it in yet another rematch with Ishii at Dominion. Makabe’s most important days may be behind him, but he poses a serious threat to anyone he steps in the ring with.

Match 1: Makabe defeated Toru Yano. It was a quick match that Yano almost stole with a quick roll up right out of the gate. Makabe dispensed of the jester-like Yano with the King Kong Knee Drop off the top rope.

Match 2:  Makabe lost to ‘Bad Luck’ Fale after being hit with a spear off the ropes, and then taking the Bad Luck Fall (Release Powerbomb) and being pinned.

Match 3: Makabe lost to Katsuyori Shibata (See Above).

Match 4: Makabe defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan in a match consisting of a very straightforward exchange  of offense, when Makabe hit the King Kong Knee Drop to pick up the pin.

Match 5: Makabe defeated Tetsuya Naito (See Above).

Match 6: Makabe lost to AJ Styles (See Above).

Total points: 6 points

‘Bad Luck’ Fale: Fale, a founding member of the Bullet Club has not had the most triumphant year, but his imposing size makes him a threat to all who cross his path. In last year’s G1, he picked up impressive wins including one over Tanahashi. In the early part of the year, Fale began a program with the crestfallen Okada, often dominating the former Heavyweight champion until his comeback began to pick up. A giant that is always difficult to topple, he has potential to jam up a lot of other competitors in the tournament. 

Match 1: Fale lost to Tetsuya Naito, thrown off guard by the returning Naito’s recent personality change (See Above).

Match 2: Fale defeated Togi Makabe with the Bad Luck Fall (See Above).

Match 3: Fale defeated fellow Bullet Club bruiser Doc Gallows in a cordial fight between the big men.

Match 4: Fale defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi in an interference-filled match, after hitting a splash off the top rope.

Match 5: Fale lost to Katsuyori Shibata, taking the Penalty Kick before being pinned (See Above).

Match 6: Fale defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan, employing cheating ways as Toma Tonga would knock Tenzan from off the top ropes at one point. Fale hit a huge splash from the top rope to pick up the pin.

Total points: 8

Toru Yano: Yano is another veteran whose most exciting matches are behind him. He is a member of team CHAOS, known for constantly and shamelessly promoting their products before every match. He is also wont to cheat whenever possible. Yano’s biggest claim to fame this year was defeating Tanahashi in an upset during the New Japan Cup tournament. He has gotten the better of the popular top tier wrestler in several confrontations to follow til losing to Tanahashi at Dominion.  Yano always stands to pick up an upset win out of nowhere making him an opponent to be cautious of.

Match 1: Yano lost to Togi Makabe (See Above).

Match 2: Yano lost to AJ Styles (See Above).

Match 3: Yano after the two had a brief, ugly match that quickly spilled onto the outside. The veterans brawled with chair shots, choked each other with tape, and an ill placed Diving Head Butt by Tenzan busted both of their heads open. A bloodied Yano hit a kick to Tenzan’s nether regions as they were locked up facing away from each other, thus allowing Yano to land a back slide and pin Tenzan.

Match 4: Yano lost to Doc Gallows in a match involving a lot of outside interference and bullying from Gallows’ Bulet Club buddies.  Yano avoided several attacks causing Cody Hall and Toma Tonga to be knocked off the apron. With the referee knocked out of position, a low blow attempt by Yano was thwarted by Gallows’ tag team partner, Karl Anderson who then executed the Magic Killer finisher with Gallows, allowing Doc to get the pin.

Match 5: Yano lost to Hiroshi Tanahashi (See Above).

Match 6: Yano defeated Katsuyori Shibata (See Above).

Total Points: 4

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A very close race is in effect between the favorites in this Block of the tournament. The way I see things going, inspired by a poster I saw of Tanahashi, Okada, and Nakamura as the big 3 of the company, is Tanahashi winning the A Block, having to score at least or maybe 2 of the high profile matches he has ahead. All of his next 3 opponents have the potential to defeat him, so the Air Guitar playing former champion would have to put on a very impressive showing to achieve this goal.

I see a victory in the tournament over Nakamura as a way of setting up a rematch at Wrestle Kingdom between him and Okada. It lacks originality, but I see a big draw in the rematch that might not be there if it was put off another year, especially after many international fans got their first big taste of New Japan with the Wrestle Kingdom PPV this year and that excellent showdown between Tanahashi and Okada. This would give Okada a chance to avenge the heart-wrenching loss  and secure his place as the top player in New Japan.

The next main event pits Tanahashi against Shibata, a matchup with history built right into it. Shibata has been on quite a roll. Takahashi's loss here could mean a far smaller chance of winning the tournament so this is a crucial match to watch.