G1 End Run II: B Block

Having listed the remaining A Block shows, things to consider, and what to expect, let’s do it again for the B Block. Below are the matches on the next and final two G1 B Block shows before the finals on the 16^th. Next to each name is the competitor’s point total current as of this writing:

8/12 

Kazuchika Okada (12) VS Yuji Nagata (4)

Hiroki Goto (10) VS Michael Elgin (8)

Shinsuke  Nakamura (10) VS Satoshi Kojima (4)

Tomoaki Honma VS Tomohiro Ishii

Karl Anderson (10) VS Takashi Yujiro (4)

8/15   

Kazuchika Okada (12) VS Shinsuke Nakamura (10)

Tomohiro Ishii (8) VS Michael Elgin (8)

Karl Anderson (10) VS Satoshi Kojima (4)

Hiroki Goto (10) VS Yuji Nagata (4)

Tomoaki Honma  (0) VS Takashi Yujiro (4)

As the B Block tends to be a bit more well rounded than the A Block, and got off to a somewhat slower start, the two remaining shows hold a bit more in the way of potentially great matches. While Okada and Shinsuke Nakamura are the topmost wrestlers, Goto Hiroki has shown to be himself in arguably the same league or close as he boasts possession of the Intercontinental Championship. On August 12, Okada and Nagata should have a great match. Even if Okada is extremely likely to win – he’s dispensed with nearly all of his opponents thus far using the Rainmaker lariat – Nagata is an expert in ring story teller, able to adjust to his opponent and put on dramatic displays in all situations. Goto VS Elgin should be a great match. Both make use of a lot of power moves and Lariats, they have never faced each other before, and while Goto has the IC title, Elgin’s matches have been getting better and better as the G1 progresses. A match between the two has in fact already been scheduled for the Ring Of Honor Field of Honor show at MCU Stadium in Brooklyn. Honma and Ishii should also be fantastic. While Honma’s time in this year’s G1 hasn’t been as stellar as his rocket-fueled surprise entry in last year’s tournament, he can hit a switch and hit warp speed when needed. Ishii and Honma had a grueling match of unmatched intensity already this year, so the rematch comes with a lot of anticipation. Anderson and Yujiro holds that curiosity factor of Biz Cliz VS Biz CLiz. With less representation in the B Block, this is the only time such a confrontation happens on this side of the tournament. Considering their oily mannerisms, they will probably try to cheat and gain unfair advantages before having a decent match, which Anderson ought to win.

On the 15^th, of course the main event of Okada VS Nakamura will be a barnburner. It will very likely hold the key to the B Block finalist in its results (which I am calling will be Nakamura). It is also the same match that occurred in last year’s G1 Climax Finals, so it will be extremely competitive. Ishii VS Elgin should also be interesting. Both are heavy hitters, making use of Lariats and Powerbombs throughout their attacks. Goto and Nagata should have a great match as well, considering their versatility. In the match between Honma and Yujiro is a smaller story within the tournament of  Honma vying to achieve his first G1 win. While he impressed last year, he never won a match. Yujiro is the perfect opponent for him to beat. Such a victory over the more sneaky than powerful competitor in Yujiro is far from unthinkable, and it could give the crowd a huge surge of energy.

A situation parallel to that of the A Block seems to have formed where the fate of finals will come down to the main event of the B Block. With Okada and Nakamura being so important, it makes sense that the loser of the match will go on to the second to last match on the card and face the A Block runner up; the winner of the match will finish in third place.  I’m still expecting Nakamura and Tanahashi to be in the finals in a match that would hold a lot of consequence: Who will face Okada (unless someone defeats him in the months in between??) at Wrestle Kingdom for the Heavyweight title. Look out for these two upcoming shows to be peppered with upset victories to avoid ties at the second place level, for instance Anderson being leveled by crowd favorite veteran Kojima.

Let me know what you think. Comment or twitter: @mondocurrymark

G1 Climax August 9, 2015 (B Block)

As the G1 Climax approaches its end run, another show was unleashed on viewers, the third in a run of three straight in a row. This time B Block participants were in action. This show solidified how, compared to the A Block, there is less flash and diversity yet there are solid Strong Style battles happening across the card. As a solid segment of the 5 match card is losing relevance due to competitors not having enough points to have a chance at reaching the finals, there are crucial confrontations sprinkled throughout each show. There are also classic battles being staged, regardless of the outcomes, between wrestlers who bring out the best in each other. Here then, after a quick overview of the undercard, is a run down and discussion of the most recent B Block section of the tournament.

‘Bad Luck’ Fale (A) and Toma Tonga VS Jay White and David FInley

‘Bad Luck’ Fale and Toma Tonga won when Tonga hit his DDT finisher on Finley.

Kota Ibushi (A) and Mascara Dorada VS Toru Yano (A) and YOSHI-HASHI

Yano and YOSHI-HASHI won when YOSHI-HASHI hit a Swanton off the top rope on Mascara Dorada followed by a pin for the win.

AJ Styles (A), Doc Gallows (A), and Cody Hall VS Tetsuya Naito, Ryusuke Taguchi, and Captain New Japan

This was an interesting match, with only some of the following show’s combatants being directly pitted against one another. The heelish Naito along with two baby faces not long for picking up high profile wins took on a united Bullet Club. To add to the awkwardness of the match, Taguchi came out mocking the attire and movements of his own partner Naito.

Taguchi started out with a startling number of ‘Funky Weapon’s to AJ Styles. Naito worked an extremely fast pace against Doc Gallows, began to cinch in an ankle submission hold, and then walked away apparently losing interest and tagged in an eager Captain New Japan. This did not have stellar results and soon after, Gallows hit Captain New Japan with a two-armed Choke Slam into a Sit Down Slam* (proper name currently being researched) for the Biz Cliz victory.

Katsuyori Shibata (A), Togi Makabe (A), and Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger VS Hiroshi Tanahashi (A), Tenzan Hiroyoshi (A), and KUSHIDA

The decision to put Shibata and Tanahashi on opposing sides, even though Shibata will face Tenzan and Tanahashi will face Makabe on the next show, was a smart one. After their close match on the previous show, there is still a lot of intrigue in a fight between the two of them. Tanahashi, Tenzan, and KUSHIDA won after KUSHIDA kicked out of pin that followed Liger’s Running Palm Strike, and bridged into a pinning position to get the three count for his team.

Tournament Matches 

Karl Anderson VS Michael Elgin

Anderson made a few attempts to knock Elgin off his feet but was unable to. Elgin caught Anderson for a Power Slam where he held him in a horizontal position and just dove forward. He then held Anderson up for a long Suspended Vertical Suplex. 

Anderson hit a Gun Stun dropping Elgin’s neck against the top rope and landed a big running boot to knock Elgin to the floor. Anderson hit a Sit Out Powerbomb for a 2 count. He then jumped off the top rope into a big boot by Elgin.

Elgin hit an impressive Code Breaker, jumping from the top rope. He hit Anderson with a Dead Lift German Suplex. Elgin later Dead Lifted Anderson over the top rope into a slightly spinning Driver off the top rope for a very near fall.

After some distraction from outside, Elgin lifted Anderson and hit a Powerbomb that sent Anderson over the top rope into his Bullet Club pals on the floor. This was an AMAZING spot that puts fans firmly in Elgin's corner. As Elgin lifted Anderson for another Powerbomb, Anderson suddenly reversed it into a Gun Stun for the win.

This was a great match that showed off Elgin’s strength and continued gaining the ROH wrestler fans in Japan. Elgin can continue to have an aggressive demeanor while wrestling as a baby face against factions like the Bullet Club. It also continued to tell the story of Anderson being able to pull wins out of thin air by hitting the RKO, err I mean the Gun Stun out of nowhere.

Anderson: 10

Elgin: 8

Yuji Nagata VS Satoshi Kojima

The two veterans with numerous past battles fought against each other tied up, reached the ropes, and then Nagata shoved Kojima away for the break. They began exchanging forearms and slaps. 

Nagata was knocked to the outside and had trouble recovering. Kojima dropped to the floor to chop Nagata and throw him into the guard rail. Attendants outside the ring knelt down to check if Nagata was able to continue.

Nagata was knocked down by strikes from Kojima and started clutching his chest, but came back with kicks on Kojima in the corner. Nagata hit a Magic Screw on Kojima, as Kojima was draped on the top rope.

Kojima missed a Lariat and put into an Arm Bar by Nagata, bringing out Nagata’s kamisama eyes rolling back to reveal only the whites.

Kojima hit a Brainbuster. Nagata recovered and hit a sudden Backdrop Bomb to get a 3 count for the victory..

It seemed as though both Kojima and Nagata were feeling the very real effects of injuries compacted over the course of the tournament, and were unable to take the usual amount of moves they normally would. Nagata was icing his ribs after the match, showing that he was clearly hurt. Kojima did a good job adjusting to a slightly more ruthless style, even though he usually moves the crowd to rally behind him, because it took some of the attention away from Nagata’s limitations. Just two more matches left…Plus the tag team bouts on the A Block shows…Let’s rally for these guys to make it through!

Nagata: 4

Kojima:4

Kazuchika Okada VS Takashi Yujiro

Yujiro came out to the ring with Mao for this high profile match. 

Mao took a seat beside the commentary booth and had attention heaped upon her by the commentators. Okada got Yujiro against the ropes, and I would like to account for his patented clean break, but the cameras were busy showing Mao sitting in a chair. The match soon spilled outside. Yujiro slams Okada into the guard rail. Mao was harped on to say something nice about Yujiro, to which she responed ‘kakoi’ (‘cool’).

As Yujiro distracted the referee ‘Red Shoes’, Cody Hall took shots at Okada and hit Gedo when he tried to come to Okada’s aid.

Okada countered a kick and hit a big boot of his own to Yujiro’s head. He hit a big Dropkick to Yujiro who was seated on the turnbuckle.

Yujiro was booted over the guard rail on the outside. Okada then threw Cody over the rail after him and followed with a running Cross Body over guard rail onto both for the match’s WOW spot.

Yujiro hit a Powerbomb sending Okada into the turnbuckle followed by the Miami Shine but could only pin the champ for a 2 count. Okada fought back with his Over The Knee Neckbreaker.

Yujiro pulled ‘Red Shoes’ into the way of a Shoulder Block, allowing Hall to come in for a double team assault. The ref was then thrown into position to count a near fall on Okada. 

The double team resumed but while Hall held Okada, Gedo pulled Yujiro outside the ring to help turn things around. Okada landed the big drop kick. Then the Tombstone. Then the Rainmaker. Okada wins.

Afterwards Gedo joined CHAOS buddy Yano on commentary.

This was an okay match, bolstered by a few big spots and fun interactions involving Gedo and Hall. Mao is beautiful and I understand a moderate amount of attention being paid to her; but the attention given to her is over the top. Some ‘valet 101’ lessons from US promotions ought to be considered to make her a more compelling character, if in fact New Japan is interested in having her have a more regular presence. It was a good move to schedule this match midway through the card. There is a tendency to put the match with the biggest star on last, regardless of the opponent, but the match that headlined was far more exciting than this one.

Okada: 12

Yujiro: 4

Shinsuke Nakamura VS Tomoaki Honma 

The two tied up, with Honma being backed against the ropes. Nakamura applied his signature ‘drooping head’ clean break against Honma’s chest, and then drooped his head on ‘Red Shoes’ for good measure. 

Honma landed chops on Nakamura. Outside the ring, Shinsuke dumped Honma on the guard rail in a nasty looking spot. He hit the Running Knee to Honma as he was draped over the guard rail.

Honma landed a kokeshi Head Butt on a fallen Nakamura. A Bomaye was blocked by Honma who then hits a Lariat and a Brainbuster for a near fall.

Nakamura landed a 2nd rope bomaye.

Another bomaye was attempted but dodged as Honma hit a Diving Head Butt to Shinsuke’s back, followed by another kokeshi to Shinsuke on the mat. Honma hit a Jumping Piledriver and pinned for 2.

Honma missed with a kokeshi from the top rope. Nakamura hit a running bomaye but only got 2. Honma successfully hit a big Diving kokeshi to Nakamura but Nakamura came running back with another bomaye, this time for the three count.

This was a good match, in which both wrestlers attempted their signature striking moves multiple times.

Nakamura: 10

Honma: 0

Hiroki Goto vs Tomohiro Ishii

The two tied up and there was a break, but not before Ishii laid in a big chop to Goto’s chest. They traded forearms in a very long exchange that had no end in sight. Goto gained a momentary advantage but Ishii chopped him down to the mat.

Ishii tried a leaping charge that bounced off an immovable Goto. Ishii hit a Brainbuster from the top rope, but Goto kicked out. Ishii did a German Suplex. 

After a series of Running Lariat attempts, Goto hit the ushikoroshi Backbreaker.

Ishii would hit a Head Butt to Goto’s shoulder to cut off a Lariat.

Ishii hit Goto's own signature ushikoroshi, followed by a Lariat to Goto as he was seated on the ground. He went for the pin but only got a 2 count. Goto put Ishii on the top rope, and then executed a spinning ushikoroshi. Ishii kicked out before the count of 3.

They battled back and forth with Head Butts, with Goto getting the better of the exchange. Goto then hit the shouten kai for the win. 

This was an extremely hard fought match, emphasizing the Strong Style elements of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Moves were more often hit than they were dodged. Exchanges went back and forth with a challenge thrown out to one’s opponent every time they landed their offense. Both wrestlers looked great, showing

Goto: 10

Ishii: 8

This was a solid show, which again, was marked by somewhat of a standard format running throughout each match, at least compared to the A Block cards, especially recent ones. The top 3 of the tournament are shaping up only two matches for each participant remain before the finals. Okada is in the lead, and Nakamura, Anderson, and Goto all have enough points for a tie for 2^nd place not far behind first. With Okada and Nakamura facing off the night before the finals, I still believe it will be between the two of them to determine who will be in the finals. And while it’s good to be the king, or in this case champ, it leaves less to prove than for those fighting to become champion; so I maintain my belief that Nakamura will go to the finals. Third place is no slouch though, and determines who will be in the second to last match of the last G1 show, right before the finals. It is a prime spot that could mean big things for the participant from either or both blocks fighting in the match. This is especially the case when wrestlers holding titles have the potential to be involved.

 I also still think Nakamura, or whoever is destined for the B Block win will face Tanahashi, who will win and challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight title at the next Wrestle Kingdom. This may very well make for a historic rematch.

There is a day off before the next A and B Block shows follow. And it is a much needed break! Look out for an analysis of where things may go from here.

G1 Climax (2015) B Block Breakdown

 After taking apart the A Block of this year’s G1 Climax tournament, let’s look at how the B Block shapes up. In comparison there are less sharp distinction between combatants and more of a mid range of wrestlers both technically sound and with hard hitting offense. You are not likely to see a high flyer take on a giant like you might in the A Block, but you will see a lot more evenly matched bouts. CHAOS has a strong presence in the B Block, which will likely produce matches with a lot of flair but camaraderie pervading. B Block is also host to some highly pedigreed combatants, including IWGP Heavyweight champion and winner of last year’s G1 Kazuchika Okada, former Intercontinental Champion and finalist in last year’s G1 Shinsuke Nakamura, current Intercontinental Champion Hiroki Goto. You can also find some boasting points around Bullet Club mainstay and one half of the current IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team champions Karl Anderson, and former Never champion Tomohiro Ishii. Veterans with plenty of past championship runs to their name, Yuji Nagata and Satoshi Kojima make less likely candidates for wining the tournament but can still hold their own against anyone in their path. Tomoaki Honma exploded onto the G1 scene last year, and though he went without a victory he kept up with everyone he competed with and looks to make a stonger showing this time around. Newcomer to the tournament, Michael Elgin brings his experience in Ring of Honor to shake up the otherwise familiar tournament landscape, and finally Yujiro Takashi represents the Bullet Club more known for his smarminess and underhandedness than anything, unlikely to win, but full of potential to spoil things for others on the slate.

I’ll run down the matches of the competitors in the tournament thus far, starting with the participants holding the most prominence, and then go over my expectations for the tournament as I did after looking at the A Block.

Kazuchika Okada: Okada started the year on a down note, having just lost to Hiroshi Tanahashi in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom in a match that many believed would cement his top spot in the company. But the rest of the year ended up being a come back story as he the psyched out ‘Rainmaker’ got over his insecurities and emerged victorious from a back and forth program with ‘Bad Luck’ Fale. He went on to step to and defeat AJ Styles at Dominion to regain the Heavyweight title, which he had lost to AJ in the previous year. Appearing at the top of his game, a win in the tournament again would leave him with all the cards in the company.

Match 1: Okada defeated Michael Elgin with the Rainmaker lariat.

Match 2: Okada defeated Tomoaki Honma with the Rainmaker lariat.

Match 3: Okada defeated Satoshi Kojima with the Rainmaker lariat.

Match 4: Okada lost to Hiroki Goto who won with the Shouten Kai.

Match 5: Okada lost to Karl Anderson who won with the Gun Stun,

Match 6: Okada defeated Tomohiro Ishii with the Rainmaker lariat.

Total points: 8

Shinsuke Nakamura: Nakamura, my prediction for the winner of the B Block, has had a dynamic ride, having perhaps the biggest amount of crowd support in his native Japan and absolutely getting the largest pops during the rare US appearances he has made with the ROH promotion. He had a long run with the Intercontinental championship until recently dropping the title to Hiroki Goto and failing to recapture it. The next title for him to recapture would seem to be the Heavyweight championship, and there is little doubt he is in the upper echelon of wrestlers who could convincingly run with it.

Match 1: Nakamura lost to Karl Anderson after being hit with the Gun Stun.

Match 2: Nakamura defeated Yuji Nagata with the bomaye knee strike

Match 3: Nakamura forfeited to Michael Elgin due to injury.

Match 4: Nakamura defeated Tomohiro Ishii with the bomaye knee strike.

Match 5: Nakamura defeated Hiroki Goto with an armbar submission.

Match 6: Nakamura defeated Yujiro Takashi with the bomaye knee strike.

Total points: 8

Hiroki Goto: Goto has been at it for a while, not quite achieving top level victories but being continually impressive with his unique hard hitting offensive maneuvers. Until now, though, as he successfully defeated Nakamura for the Intercontinental championship and retained it in a few rematches. Prior to that, Goto teamed with Katsuyori Shibata to capture the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team titles  from the Bullet Club’s Anderson and Gallows, but lost them in a rematch that followed. Now, Goto is looking to prove that the Intercontinental title is on par with the Heavyweight title, talking of unifying the belts after achieving victory over Okada.

Match 1: Goto defeated Yujiro Takashi with the shouten kai.

Match 2: Goto lost to Karl Anderson who hit the Gun Stun.

Match 3: Goto defeated Tomoaki Honma with the shouten kai.

Match 4: Goto defeated Kazuchika Okada with the shouten kai.

Match 5: Goto lost to Shinsuke Nakamura (See Above).

Match 6: Goto defeated Satoshi Kojima with the shouten kai.

Total points: 8

Karl Anderson: Anderson has been one of the most impactful gaijin wrestlers to join the NJPW roster in recent years. Instrumental in forming the Bullet Club and arguably its leader now, Anderson currently holds half of the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team championship with fellow Biz Cliz member Doc Gallows. They have lots the belts to the combination of Goto and Shibata, and Ring of Honor’s Michael Bennet and Matt Taven of The Kingdom, but regained the titles back from each of these foes. While singles gold has eluded Anderson for some time, he seems to have the number of several top stars in New Japan and poses a threat to all who face him.

Match 1: Anderson defeated Shinsuke Nakamura with the Gun Stun.

Match 2: Anderson defeated Goto Hiroki with the Gun Stun.

Match 3: Anderson lost to Tomohiro Ishii in a hard hitting match after being leveled with a lariat to the back of his head, and then being  hit with a Brainbuster.

Match 4: Anderson defeated Yuji Nagata with the Gun Stun, after reversing an attempt at a Back Drop Bomb by Nagata into the effective finisher for the 3 count.

Match 5: Anderson defeated Kazuchika Okada with the Gun Stun.

Match 6: Anderson defeated Tomoaki Honma, catching his kokeshi Headbutt off the top rope and turning it into a Gun Stun for the pin fall victory.

Total points: 8

Tomohiro Ishii: Ishii, appropriately referred to as pitbull is known for his hard hitting style, seeming to leave everything in the ring. Sometimes it feels as though his matches have a dangerous number of suplexes and lariats, often times from the turnbuckle. Ishii has had a challenging year, losing the Never Openweight championship he held so proudly to Togi Makabe at Wrestle Kingdom. He regained the title when Tomoaki Honma wrestled in an ill Makabe’s place, but has since failed to recapture the title from Makabe in two rematches.

Match 1: Ishii defeated Satoshi Kojima when he interrupted a flurry of forearms with a Head Butt and then hit a Brainbuster for the pin fall victory.

Match 2: Ishii defeated Yujiro after kicking out of everything the Biz Cliz playa could throw at him, and hit a Brain buster for the pin and win.

Match 3: Ishii defeated Karl Anderson with a Brainbuster.

Match 4: Ishii lost to Shinsuke Nakamura after being hit by the bomaya knee strike.

Match 5: Ishii defeated Yuji Nagata after the two went through an emotional and harsh looking exchange of slaps, which Ishii ended with a vicious Headbutt. Ishii went on to nail a Brain buster to pick up the pinfall victory.

Match 6: Ishii losto Kazuchika Okada when he was hit by the Rainmaker lariat.

Total points: 8

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A noticeable difference in the A Block and B Block results is a lot more variation in the A Block whereas in B, there is steady solid, if slightly more routine work. Wrestlers are hitting their main finishers to bring most of the matches to an end.

There is also a lot less detail put into my accounts of what happened here than with the A Block. There were extremely good spots in matches and dramatic logical stories being told in ring, but the lack of range left a lack of particular moments in matches getting as much going. Another factor, which I should have assessed in the overview of the G1 is the occasional appearance on NJPW World streams of shows broadcast without commentary and through the lens of a single steady shot of the ring, or one or the other of these alterations. The B Block started in this mode, causing those matches to have much less of an impact. Hopefully World can limit the broadcasts of this nature. While the lack of commentary is ok, the single static camera angle often takes a lot of the intensity out of the matches.

There is a sense that the B Block has been undergoing alterations on the fly on account of an injury undergone by Nakamura, which knocked him out of his third round match with Elgin. Perhaps a testament to this year’s new format, Nakamura was able to sit out an event that featured A Block tournament matches and B Block participants in tag team openers. That plus a day off between events could have helped Nakamura recover in time for the rest of the tournament.

Like with the A Block, a tie between a few of the higher tier wrestlers is forming, making it a close race and what will likely be a race for points that comes down to the very last day before the finals.

I predict Nakamura will win the B Block, taking a victory against Okada in a match that would send either of them to the finals. This would find Nakamura returning the favor for his loss to Okada in last year’s finals.

I return to this visual I saw that suggests a Top 3 in the company: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Shinsuke Nakamura. I think if you add the possibly less marketable in Japan’s mainstream, yet still integral presence of AJ Styles and you have a main event picture for the big Wrestle Kingdom show. Styles VS Nakamura would be an intriguing new match up, but I think the tried and true lock up between Okada and Tanahashi is begging for a sequel. That’s why I see Nakamura joining Tanahashi in the finals, and Tanahashi going on to win and challenge Okada to contest him for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on the biggest show of the year.

What do you think?