G1 Climax 2015 Finals rundown

Here is what it’s all been building to: The finals of the G1 Climax tournament, the first held in the “NJPW World Era.” With some special attraction matches, frantic tag team matches building up feuds to be worked out down the line, and a massive main event, it was truly a show to be studied down the line for the many high points it hit. Here is how it went down.

A strange masked man, at least to most in attendance at Sumo Hall, stood in the center of the ring. This was Delirious, representative of Ring of Honor. Speaking in rudimentary broken English, a somewhat strange choice since his remarks would be translated (or perhaps he always works a Neanderthal gimmick?), he extolled the talent of NJPW and ROH talent. He then promised Ring of Honor would be making its way to Japan in 2016.

Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger, Sho Tanaka, and Ryohei Komatsu vs Ryusuke Taguchi, Mascara Dorada, and David Finlay

At one point, Liger hit a Baseball Slide to Finlay on the outside of the ring. Taguchi performed a caricature of Nakamura's gestures when he makes his ring entrance, then hit his own take on a bomaye on Komatsu, and pinned for 3. 

Taguchi, Dorada, and Finlay win.

Satoshi Kojima, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, and Captain New Japan vs Yuji Nagata, Manabu Nakanishi, and Jay White

Kojima and Nakanishi started the match. Kojima got Nakanishi in a headlock, then threw shoulder blocks that failed to knock Nakanishi down. Tenzan and Kojima double teamed Nagata with Tenzan firing off Mongolian Chops. CNJ wanted in the match, jumping up and down in the corner, as Tenzan and Kojima hit stomps on Nakanishi. He received a Lariat by Nakanishi.

Kojima lit up Nagata with Rapid Fire Chops in the corner. Nagata put Tenzan n the  fujiwara Armbar as Nakanishi held Kojima at bay in a Torture Rack; shades of their tag team feud from 15 years ago.  Jay white hammered away at Kojima and Tenzan, but then ran into their TenCoji Cutter double team maneuver. Tenzan locked in an Anaconda Vice submission for the tap out victory.

Kojima, Tenzan, and Captain New Japan win.

Michael Elgin vs YOSHI-HASHI

Elgin threw YOSHI-HASHI into a corner but YOSHI-HASHI came flying back with a Lariat. YOSHI-HASHI hung Elgin over the top rope and hit him with a Running Drop Kick.

Later, YOSHI-HASHI got hung up in the ropes, and Elgin hit him with a Discus Forearm to the back. Elgin Deadlifted YOSHI-HASHI into a German Suplex.

Elgin, from the second rope, Deadlifted YOSHI-HASHI back into the ring and into a Falcon Arrow. He pinned for 2. YOSHI-HASHI hit a left armed Lariat and pinned for two, almost 3. Elgin cut off a Swanton Bomb but YOSHI-HASHI nailed a Sunset Flip Powerbomb from the top rope. YOSHI-HASHI connected with the Swanton but Elgin kicked up from the pin. Elgin hit a Bucklebomb and rolled YOSHI-HASHI up and into an Elgin Bomb. Elgin pinned for 3.

Elgin wins.

This was a good match that gave Elgin the triumphant send off he deserves after putting on an extremely impressive performance throughout the G1. YOSHI-HASHI may seem like a strange choice for an opponent, but it was an interesting dynamic having the power house Elgin taking on a smaller and faster opponent with a very different style of attack than most of those in the tournament.

Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano, and Kazushi Sakuraba vs ‘Bad Luck’ Fale, Takashi Yujiro, and Tama Tonga

Ishii started out against Yujiro. Ishii blasted Yujiro with forearms. Yano and Fale were tagged in. Yano went immediately to the ropes and called for break. Fale ran in to choke Yano. He battered Yano with lefts and rights in corner. Tonga skated around Yano on all fours and drop kicked him in the back. Yano pulled away the turnbuckle pad causing Yujiro to crash into the corner. Yano ducked a swing by Fale and hit him with the turnbuckle. Tonga splashed Ishii but Ishii pulled Tonga into Fale's path as he charged in next. 

Sakuraba caught Tonga in a Sleeper hold from the apron. He tossed a dazed Tonga toward Ishii who then hit a Brainbuster on Tonga and pinned for 3.

Team CHAOS, Ishii, Yano, and Sakuraba won.

This was an ok none-too-serious match that moved quickly enough. With the abundance of wrestlers at this low-to-mid level, some consideration may be in order of putting some pairs together for a focus on tag team competition.

Hiroki Goto, Katsuyori Shibata, and Kota ibushi vs Tetsuya Naito, Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma 

Ibushi and Makabe started the match. Ibushi tried a shoulder block but couldn’t budge Makabe. Ibushi took Makabe to the mat with a drop kick. Shibata tagged in, and stared down Naito. Honma tagged in for his team instead. Shibata and Honma tied up on the ropes. Both give a clean break, but from the apron Naito hit a forearm to the back of Shibata's head.

Goto tried for the ushikoroshi on Honma, Honma escaped, the two hit each other with Lariats and Honma knocked Goto off his feet. Naito tagged in, stepped on Goto and posed.  He turned his attention to the opposite corner. Meanwhile Goto back to his feet and Naito walked into a huge Lariat by Goto. Goto tagged in Shibata. The audience chanted LOUDLY for Shibata as he attacked Naito. Ibushi hit a Standing Moonsault on Makabe. Makabe came back and leveled Ibushi with a Lariat. 

Honma connected with the kokeshi on Ibushi. Shibata and Naito brawled on the outside. Shibata knocked Naito over the guard rail and choked El Ingobernable with his t-shirt. In the ring, Ibushi got a Jumping Powerbomb on Honma, followed by the Phoenix Splash. Ibushi pinned Honma for 3. After the match Makabe teed off on Ibushi with forearms. Ibushi fought back with a huge kick that sent Makabe down. Shibata sat in the ring waiting for Naito who decided to lie across the apron in lazily before heading to the back with a disgusted look on his face.

Goto, Shibata, and Ibushi win.

This was a good quick and chaotic melee that generated tension between a few pairs with conflicts during the tournament. It marks an interesting departure from the CHAOS vs NJPW program that lasted most of the first half of the year.

The camera pans to show veteran Genichiro Tenryu, a rather imposing figure, come toward the commentary table. He called out Gedo. They traded words inside the ring. Okada came ou, and among other things, agreed to face off against one other in November. 

**Intermission**

The Young Bucks vs reDRagon (IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship defense)

Fish and Matt started out butMatt tagged Nick in right away. Nick slams Fish down but from the ground, Fish calls up to him to 'suck it.' O’Reilly jumped off the apron toward the Bucks on the floor but they caught him with a Double Super Kick. Cody Hall, who accompanied them to the ring, then lifted O’Reilly and carried him all the way to the back while the Bucks double teamed Fish. O’Reilly remained missing as Fish fought off both Bucks. O’Reilly would eventually comes back, ducking a Lariat from Hall to get back on the apron and tag into the match. Dragon hit the Backbreaker and Knee Drop from the second rope combination for a two count on Matt.

O’Reilly got draped on the bottom rope by Matt as Nick hit a 450 Degree Splash onto him. There was a pin for a 2 count. The Indietaker was interrupted by Fish yanking Nick onto the floor. O’Reilly hit Rolling Double Underhook Hip Tosses on Nick, and this went into the reDRagon Wheelbarrow Hold-Double Underhook DDT-Wheelbarrow suplex combination. There was a pin for 2.

Nick pushed the referee into Fish, and as Fish moved him aside, Nick kicked him in the crotch. The Bucks got the tag team championship belts and hit Fish and O’Reilly with them, garnering boo’s and real heat directed at the popular team. 

Hall held Fish and O’Reilly as the Bucks went for Super Kicks in stereo but Fish and O’Reilly escape and the Bucks nailed Hall instead. The action continued back and forth. Finally, on the outside of the ring, Fish and O’Reilly hit Chasing The Dragon on Matt outside the ring and pinned for the victory.

reDRagon win and are the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team champions. 

This was an excellent match between teams that have faced each other often enough, the combination threatens to get stale. Not with these four wrestlers. They keep innovating and pushing each other, including new elements as they go such as incorporating Cody Hall into the match. The Bucks’ antics made for a clear heel vs babyface dynamic and added drama to the fight.

KUSHIDA vs Ricochet (IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship defense)

The two tied up and KUSHIDA gave Ricochet a clean break in the corner.

KUSHIDA came off the ropes and shoulder blocked Ricochet to the mat but he jumped right back up. Both did a wild series of handspring and summersault attacks and dodges until KUSHIDA hit a Drop Kick from the top rope, not in the corner. Ricochet lifted KUSHIDA and spun him around into a Powerbomb. Ricochet leapt up over the post to hit a Tope Con Hilo onto KUSHIDA outside of the ring and some ways up the ramp.

Ricochet dove off the ropes but KUSHIDA caught him and applied a Cross Armbar in midair. Ricochet was able to lift KUSHIDA and slam him down to break the hold. Ricochet caught KUSHIDA in midair and hit a Front Headlock Suplex, held and rolls through into another, and then rolled through and hit a Suplex releasing KUSHIDA to the mat. This was amazing.

Ricochet caught KUSHIDA with a jumping double knee strike.

Ricochet did the Benadryller (a move similar to the GTS where his opponent is flipped from a Fireman’s Carry into a standing position and then kicked in the head). He pinned KUSHIDA but KUSHIDA grabbed the ropes. Ricochet missed a 450 Splash off the top rope. KUSHIDA locked in the Hoverboard Lock (fujiwara Armbar). Ricochet tried to escape to the ropes but KUSHIDA rolled him to the center of the ring. Ricochet tapped out.

KUSHIDA wins and retains the championship.

This was a very good match featuring dazzling high flying moves and a lot of reversals. It was somewhat lacking in dramatics but this was not a long built up feud. It’s a good example of NJPW’s capacity to fill out a card by maintaining strong relations to the best of the world’s independent wrestlers.

Kazuchika Okada and the Kingdom (Michael Bennett and Matt Taven with Maria) vs AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, and Doc Gallows

Okada started off against Anderson but Anderson suddenly tagged in Styles. The two chain wrestle til both reached a standing position. AJ extended his hand to Okada. Okada motions to take it and then forms the too sweet sign and pushes it into Styles' forehead. 

Taven Drop Kicked Gallows from the turnbuckle. Gallows answers with a Bicycle Kick. Gallows and Anderson hit a double team Reverse Neckbreaker on Taven. There was a pin for 1. As Anderson poured on offense, Maria got on the apron and began gyrating. Anderson, like a snake charmed by song, began slithering back and forth and moving toward her. Styles ran into the ring, tried to snap Anderson back into reality but Anderson got AJ to see his point of view and a hypnotized AJ also began moving toward Maria. Gallows joined them and berated them for their weak wills and threatens to take Maria out with a closed fist, causing Maria to jump back down to the floor and proclaim she was done with the seduction games.

Okada and the Kingdom hit big boots to all three Bullet Club members knocking them out of the ring. Okada hits a DDT on Styles and nipped up. He rolled through a bridge and hit the Neckbreaker over the knee. Okada missed with the Top Rope elbow. Gallows threw Taven off the turnbuckle into a Necknbreaker by Anderson.

AJ countered the Rainmaker into a Styles Clash, but Okada kicked his way out of AJ’s finisher and hit the Tombstone. He tried for the Rainmaker, but AJ dodged and after a number of counters, rolled Okada into the Styles Clash and executed it for a pin and 3 count.

The Bulllet Club, Styles, Anderson, and Gallows and are victorious. 

This was an overall very good match, especially due to the chemistry between Okada and Styles. The silliness involving Maria seems very unnecessary and takes me out of the match but it was an early spot that wasn’t crucial in the finish. Styles is making an art out of finding ways to come out of different positions to put opponents in the Styles Clash. His pin on Okada is to me significant of another confrontation between the two down the line.

Before the main event, both Muto and Chono came down to sit at the commentary booth. They have had a legendary feud back and forth and numerous wins in the G1. Their confrontations are absolutely worth tracking down and watching on NJPW World. In addition they both made appearances in the US in the late 90s as NWO members in the heyday of WCW. Their run here did not feature them getting to perform to the extent they are capable of, but are worth a look, accessible on the WWE Network. 

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Shinsuke Nakamura (G1 Climax Finals)

The two locked up very carefully, then backed away from one another. Tanahashi worked on Shinskue's arm and Shinsuke pulled away guarding the previously injured limb.

Tanahashi shoulder blocked Nakamura down to the mat and did some cocky air guitar posturing signaling Tanahashi would be playing the role of the heel, at least early on in the match.

Tanahashi lead a focused attack on Nakamura’s leg hitting a chop block and then stomping on the bomaye weapon. Nakamura did a jumping kick to Tanahashi off the turnbuckle. Nakamura jumps and drives a knee into Tanahashi's chest. Nakamura flicked dismissive kicks to the side of Tanahashi’s head. Nakamura delivered knees to the chest of Tanahashi but Tanahashi came back with a Sling Blade.

Nakamura delivered a double dose of the electrified knee to Tanahashi in the corner, but Tanahashi pushed back and hit a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Tanahashi hit a High Fly Flow onto Nakamura on the floor. Nakamura avoided a High Cross Body into the turnbuckle and drove knees into Tanahashi's chest. He followed with the Back Cracker. Nakamura prepared to hit a bomaye but Tanahashi cut it off with a Dropkick to Nakamura’s knee. Tanahashi caught Nakamura’s Reverse Kick and hit another Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Then Tanahashi put Nakamura in the Lion Tamer. Nakamura rolled out of the way of a High fly Flow and hit a bomaye to the back of Tanahashi's head. Nakamura connecteed with a bomaye front the second rope. He went for a third but Tanahashi countered into a pinning bridge for a two count. Nakamura hit another bomaye. Tanahashi just managed to kick out before three. 

Tanahashi hit a Sling Blade. He went to the top for the High Fly Flow on a standing Nakamura. Tanahashi went up for another High Fly Flow, connected but Nakamura miraculously kicked out. Tanahashi slapped Nakamura, but Namakura answered with a right hand. Nakamura picked Tanahashi up and hit a Landslide. Both men laid motionless on the mat. Nakamura rose slowly to his feet. Tanahashi got up and the two exchanged forearms. Nakamura seemed to be losing consciousness but he came to and drove knee after knees into Tanahashi’s midsection. Nakamura tried to lock in the Cross Armbar but Tanahashi kept his hands locked together. Nakamura shifted the hold into a Triangle Choke. Tanahashi managed to step over Nakamura and break the hold but Nakamura came back with a bomaye. Tanahashi just managed to roll his shoulder up. Nakamura seated Tanahashi on the turnbuckle. Nakamura climbed up, and tried to set up for a Top Rope Landslide. Tanahashi fought his way out. Tanahashi let loose ai flurry of Forearms. Tanahashi then hit a High Fly Flow as Nakamura was still standing unsteadily on the second rope. Tanahashi hit a Full Nelson Suplex for a two count. Tanahashi hit the High Fly Flow onto a standing Nakamura and went back for one more, connected, and pinned for three.

Tanahashi wins the G1 climax. 

Afterwards the two long time rivals shook hands and Tanahashi celebrated with the trophy he was presented with.

This was an incredible event. For many, it was the first G1 Climax to watch unfold because of its greater accessibility through NJPW World. If this was meant as a first foot forward it was an amazing job that could be able to rally wrestling fans to tune in to New Japan in the weeks and months to come. The card slowly built to a match that absolutely stood as the crowning achievement of the tournament; there is no doubt it was the best match of the series. More reactions to come, but for now, I feel as though I witnessed a true landmark in the realm of pro wrestling.

Twitter: @mondocurry

G1 Climax 2015 B Block August 15 Report and Reaction

This was the penultimate show in the G1 series, and the last show featuring B Block Tournament matches, or any other tournament matches for that matter save for the finals taking place BRIGHT and EARLY August 16. In fact, the start time is listed as 15:00 (3:00 pm) in Tokyo, adjust to your time zone accordingly. This really felt like a show with an equivalent energy to the previous one. Opening matches, however, were less numerous and featured several wrestlers crammed into multi man tags. Meanwhile, the opening two matches were a quick and fun setup for the Junior Heavyweight tag title match on the next show. Here is a rundown of the action, starting with the undercard.

Undercard

reDRagon (Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly) vs Sho Tanaka and Ryohei Komatsu

O’reilly and Komatsu started things off. Komatsu knocked Fish off the ring apron. O’Reilly and Komatsu had a showdown of forearm till Komatsu knocked O’Reilly down with a dropkick. The Young Lions hit a number of double team attacks on each member of reDRagon. Tanaka got O’Reilly in a crab and refused to break the hold even as Fish hit him with forearms. Komatsu then got Fish in the hold and also refused to let go despite O’Reilly’s attempts to break it up. Tanaka then grabbed O’Reilly from behind and hit a big German Suplex.

After landing a few of their double team maneuvers, reDRagon hit Chasing the Dragon on Sho Tanaka to pick up the pinfall victory. 

After the match reDRagon’s opponents on the next show, The Young Bucks rushed the ring and attacked them with their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship belts. Then, The Bucks’ opponents in the next match, Jay White and David Finlay rushed the ring and attacked the current champions. The referee called for the bell to start the match between them.

The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) vs Jay White and David Finlay

Finlay and White hit a double drop kick on Nick Jackson to clear the ring. They then mocked the Young Bucks’ muscle-flexing pose. The Bucks took control hitting Finlay with kicks, slaps, and a back rake, and yelling obnoxious taunts.

The Bucks each hollered a Ric Flair ‘Woo’ and missed Splashes to the corner. They then each Back Dropped Finlay, with him landing on his feet each time till he could make the hot tag to Jay White.

The Bucks put Jay White away with the Indietaker (aTtombstone Piledriver  hit by one Buck with an assisted Spike from the other Buck jumping over the ropes from the outside) to get the pin. They continued stomping on White and Finlay till reDRagon returned to clear the ring. Fish and O’Reilly got a hold of the title belts and dared the Young Bucks to fight them.

Toru Yano, The Kingdom (Michael Bennet and Matt Taven), Kazushi Sakuraba, and YOSHI-HASHI w/ Maria vs AJ Stylels, ‘Bad Luck Fale, Doc Gallows, Tama Tonga, and Cody Hall

The match started with the members of the Bullet Club launching an early attack and clearing the ring of CHAOS and friends. 

Tonga kept up an attack on Yano in the ring, all the while snaking about and clicking his fingers together malevolently. Maria hopped on the ring apron to distract Tonga with her wares and he responded with a shrill cry of joy. Yano yanked Tonga down to the mat by the hair off the distraction. Bennet and Taven hit double team offense on Tonga, Styles, and Hall involving several kicks.

Styles put Sakuraba in the Calf Killer but Sakuraba reversed it into a Cross Arm Bar. Bennet nailed a Neckbreaker on Hall and then rolled to the outside to help keep the other members of the Bullet Club out of the ring. YOSHI-HASHI hit a Swanton Bomb off the top rope on Hall and pinned him for his team to pick up the victory. 

This was a somewhat strange one with CHAOS’ B team plus famous friends fending off an attack from the Bullet Club. It was somewhat surprising to see Styles on a team that took a loss, but seeing he is not scheduled to have a match with the loser of the B-Block final match somewhat clears that up. Likely, the multi-man tag he is scheduled for on the next show will see him shine and begin to build profile for his next program.

Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe, Katsuyori Shibata,  Hiroyoshi Tenzan, and KUSHIDA vs Kota Ibushi, Tetsuya Naito, Manabu Nakanishi, Captain New Japan, and Ricochet

KUSHIDA and Ricochet started the match. They evaded one other’s offensive maneuvers and had a stare down. Abut and Makabe then briefly squared off. Shibata tagged himself in to face Ibushi, and got  some instant cheers from the audience. Naito kicked Ibushi from the outside and then dropped to the floor, creating instant tension between the two.

Captain New Japan cast a Time Stop spell on Tanahashi, who shook himself out of it and slapped the Captain. Makabe hit a Double clothesline to Ibushi and Captain New Japan. Tanahashi would hit the  High Fly Flow onto Captain New Japan for the win. After the match, Shibata and Naito got into a pull apart fight after the match. There is a possibility that aggression between the two of them will lead to a feud in the near future. 

This was also a strange grouping, pitting the relative all stars against the ‘freaks and geeks.’ Some people in the match really didn't have much to do, but the Junior Heavyweight match scheduled for the next show was promoted and Tanahashi looked impressive going into the finals tomorrow.

Tournament Matches

Tomoaki Honma vs Takashi Yujiro

Yujiro came down to the ring with Mao, who gyrated, waved to the camera, and gave Yujiro a ‘too sweet’ sign before disappearing into irrelevance.

There was a tie up between the two that moved quickly toward the ropes.  Honma gave the clean break.Yujiro bit Honma's fingers and stomped on him by the ropes. They traded chops. Honma knocked down Yujiro but missed the kokeshi head butt. Honma landed the next kokeshi attempt successfully. 

Yujiro took Honma off the top rope with a Superplex.

Honma countered a Suplex attempt and hit a diving kokeshi to the back of yujiro's head.Yujiro moved out of the way of the top rope kokeshi. The two hit simultaneous Lariats on one another. Yujiro went off the ropes and ran into a big diving kokeshi, which Honma aimed right at Yujiro’s taped up shoulder. Honma lifted Yujiro up for a Piledriver but Yujiro escaped, pushed Honma into the referee and hit Honma with a low blow. Yujiro hit the Miami Shine on Honma and pinned him for the victory before leaving to the back, leaning heavily on Mao.

This match seemed to end in a strange result. After the previous B-Block show saw Honma getting his first big triumphant win in a G1 match, the roll would seem to continue easily with a win over Yujiro. I suppose the idea is to make Honma someone who only wins the very big matches, and those not so often. Perhaps a character trait is his frustration over losing matches he could seemingly win. It also goes with a pattern I see forming of a lot of the wrestlers being booked on somewhat even footing across the tournament save the break out performers, something I will get into later. Yet this does not seem to apply to Honma. While the ‘only win the occasional big one’ could be interesting, I think all are ready for him to achieve higher status than where he is at now.

Yujiro: 6 points

Honma: 4 points

Tomohiro Ishii vs Michael Elgin

Both wrestlers charged at each other and attacked with forearms. Elgin dropped Ishii to the mat. Then Ishii knocked down Elgin. They had a stare down. After colliding with each other, Elgin took down ishii with a boot.

Elgin got Ishii up in a suspended vertical lift and then executed a Brainbuster. The commentator exclaimed ‘shinjerarenai’ and clarified for the English speaking viewers, ‘unbelievable!' 

Elgin hit a Backdrop sending Ishii into the turnbuckle. Elgin then dived off the top rope, flipping onto Ishii and attempted a pin. 

Ishii hit a German suplex to stop Elgin's momentum. He hit a Powerslam on Elgin. They took turns blocking one another's forearms with head butts. Elgin rolled Ishii into a German Suplex and a pin attempt.

Elgin hits a Death Vallye Driver (FU) on the ring apron. He then hit a disturbingly painful looking Powerbomb sending ishii into the guard rail outside the ring. Elgin Deadlifted ishii into a slam off the top rope. Ishii wold then come back from taking a lot of punishment. He hit Elgin with the Sliding D. Ishii Head Butted Elgin’s chin and hit a Lariat for a near fall. Ishii then put Elgin up into a Brainbuster and pinned him for the three count and win.

Ishii: 10 points

Elgin: 8 points

This was an excellent match that showed each competitor going all out. Michael Elgin’s run has been fantastic and this was a great way for him to end his last G1 tournament match, really showing off some hard-hitting offense. Ishii and Elgin had a matching style making for an exciting match that probably could’ve been higher on the card, as it outshined some of the other matches afterward.

Hiroki Goto vs Yuji Nagata 

Fans started cheering for Nagata as soon as the match started, perhaps recalling the very tough fight he put up in his last match against Kazuchika Okada. There was a tie up and chain wrestling between the two before they separated and circled one another, looking for the advantage.

Goto has an arm bar locked in on Nagata and then stomps his back. 

Goto keeps Nagata down with stomps, and pressure put on his arm. Nagata went for a  Kick but Goto caught it and hit a kick of his own right to the injured ribs of Nagata.  Negate clutched at his ribs and rolled to the outside, where Goto continued attacking with a stomps and a toss into the guard rail. Nagata hit a running boot to Goto in the corner. He then landed Side Kicks to knock Goto down. Nagata hit an Exploder Suplex sending Goto into the corner. Nagata then hit a Back Drop. Goto fought back with a Lariat, and then hit the ushikoroshi. Goto positioned himself to hit the shouten kai, but Nagata suddenly locked in the Fujiwara Armbar.  Nagata blocked a Lariat and did a Back Drop for a two count. Goto blocked another Back Drop and a Forearm exchange between the two ensued. Nagata punched away a Head Butt by Goto and hit a Rolling Kick. Nagata then nailed the  Backdrop Hold to pin Goto for the win.

After the match Nagata saluted the audience from the turnbuckle and continued emphasizing the pain in his ribs, the injury that has most consistently come into play during the entire G1. This was an OK match but did not work as well as other matches each of these two excellent wrestlers were involved in prior to this. Goto tried to play a heel-ish part, attacking a vulnerable Nagata’s ribs, but the audience didn’t really buy into the uncharacteristically ruthless assault. While there was good reason for these two to not go all out, a better story could’ve been told.

Nagata: 6 points

Goto: 12 points

Satoshi Kojima vs Karl Anderson 

Anderson out with Tama Tonga and partner Doc gallows. Anderson ran flying at Kojima as soon as they bell rang and hit a flying boot to Kojima’s head. Anderson then went right for the Gunstun but Kojima countered. Anderson missed a Lariat and Kojima knocked him down with a shoulder block. Kojima flexed his pecks as Anderson bailed to the floor. Anderson returned to ringside and dragged Kojima out by his feet. Kojima fought Anderson off and tossed him back in the ring. Anderson snapped Kojima’s neck on the top rope and hit s huge Bicycle Kick to send him back to the floor. While Anderson distracted the referee, Tonga and Gallows worked Kojima over on the floor.

Anderson continued to attack Kojima’s arm, snapping it on the top rope repeatedly. Anderson set up a chair in middle of the ring and sat down to pose as Kojima lay on the ground. Anderson called for a Brainbuster but Kojima sailed over it. Kojima landed rapid-fire chops and a Lariat to Anderson in the corner. He then landed an Elbow off the top rope and tried to pin Anderson. Anderson unloaded uppercuts on Kojima on the ring apron. Kojima was able to block and hit a DDT onto the apron. They chopped each other outside and dove under the bottom rope at the same time to beat the twenty count. 

Anderson hit a Reverse Gunstun from the too rope. There was a near fall. Anderson called for the finish of the match and slammed the mat much like someone named Randy. The RKO, I mean Gunstun was blocked and Kojima hit a Cojicutter. 

Kojima hit a big Running Lariat and pinned Anderson for the win. This was a good match, somewhat lacking in drama, but featuring a very good sequence of moves and counters between two, especially toward the end.

Kojima: 6 points

Anderson: 12 points

Kazuchika Okada vs Shinsuke Nakamura

The two prominent members of the CHAOS faction circled each other. They engaged in a tentative tie up. Shinsuke was knocked to the ground but stayed on guard. Shinsuke got Okada down with a headlock. They wrestled to the ropes. Okada took a long time, teased a chop and then gave the pats and the break. Okay then struck a Rainmaker pose. There was a Forearm by Nakamura. There attempts at a bomaye and Rainmaker that both missed.

Okada Drop Kicked Nakamura over guard rail on the outside. He hit a Draping DDT to Nakamura onto the concrete floor. Okada put a Running Elbow to Nakamura in the corner. Okada executed a DDT. Okada followed with a Rolling Elbow and tried to pin but Nakamura kicked out. Okada put his own ‘electrified boot’ to Nakamura in the corner and posed, receiving boo’s from the audience. Okada landed big Elbow Strikes to Nakamura in the corner. Okada hit a Running Drop Kick to the head of Nakamura. Nakamura dragged Okada to the outside. Nakamura draped Okada on the rail and hit a running knee to the chest. Nakamura put the 'electrified boot' to Okada in the corner. He landed Knee Strikes into the sternum of Okada. 

Nakamura put Okada on the turnbuckle and drove another knee into his chest. Nakamura hit an enzuguri kick. He then went for the Inverted Exploder but Okada countered into a Neckbreaker over the knee. Okada hit Heavy Rain but could not pin for 3. Nakamura hit a Back Cracker. Then Nakamura executed the Inverted Exploder followed by a Second Rope bomaye for a two count. 

Okada got a drop toe hold in to avoid a knee. Nakamura kicked out of the pin attempt.  Okada then hit a Drop Kick to knock Nakamura  from the turbbuckle to the floor. Okada hit a Tombstone to Nakamura on the floor. Okada threw Nakamura back in the ring. He climbed the turnbuckle and hit a huge elbow off the top. He showed off a Rainmaker pose. Then Okada lifted Nakamura. Nakamura blocked what was to come next with a kick to Okada’s shoulder. Okada put Nakamura in a Backslide, but Nakamura stood out of it and hit a Knee Strike to Okada's head. Both men were down.

The two traded forearms. Nakamura leveled Okada with a knee to the chest and a kick to the top of his head. He hit a running bomaye but only got a two count. Nakamura hit an Avalanche and pinned for two. Nakamura prayed with his hands together in the corner. Then he went for a running bomaye, but Okada countered with a beautiful Drop Kick.  Nakamura stood up from a Backslide and walked into a Rainmaker Lariat. Okada picked him up, blocked a bomaye and went for a German Suplex but Nakamura grabbed Okada's arm to counter. Okada hit another Tombstone. Okada picked Nakamura up and swung the arm for the Rainmaker but Nakamura grabbed his arm and countered into a Cross Armbar. Okada struggled to remain standing while trying to break the hold. Nakamura kept the pressure on, forcing Okada onto his chest. Okada tapped out immediately.  Nakamura wins and advances to the finals.

Nakamura and Okada bumped fists to show their continued solidarity before Nakamura triumphantly addressed the audience and shouted ‘YeahOh!'

Nakamura: 14 points*

Okada: 14 points*

*Although Okada and Nakamura have a tie at 14 points a piece, Nakamura being the winner of the match between the two of them advances to the finals.

My prediction for a Tanahashi/Nakamura final is coming true. While I've been boasting about this, I realize my prediction for Tanhashi to win is feeling a quite a bit less certain, especially looking at the emotion Nakamura carried into his win on this show. I'm holding onto it, though, as the simplest most powerful story available to tell I feel is Tanahashi fighting to regain the title as Okada battles to prove he can beat Tanahashi in the 'big one.' Although Nakamura deserves the spotlight at Wrestle Kingdom, I think he can afford to wait a year...maybe. With Okada VS Nakamura in the books tonight, I don't know how much of a clamor there would be for a rematch. Then again, Okada could lose the title between now and Wrestle Kingdom. But nobody seems poised to take it from him. Another match between him and Styles now would seem to run that feud into the ground unnecessarily fast.

The legitimate suspense of how it all plays out is a big part of NJPW's appeal. Til then...

twitter: @mondocurrymark