No time for clips of SANADA vs. Toru Yano, Hirooki Goto vs. Tama Tonga, and Juice Robinson vs. Zack Sabre Jr., no time for intros – we’ve got an hour, ONTO THE ACTION.
1. G1 Climax – Block B: Kenny Omega vs. Tomohiro Ishii
For a match that had them flubbing a leapfrog and powerbomb, this was incredible. Kenny Omega’s spectacular ability is always at its best when there’s a reason for it, when there’s a guy opposing him that isn’t just going along with it but saying something opposite it. This was compelling from bell to bell and always telling a story, with Kenny’s rapid-fire athleticism vs. Ishii’s “naw bro, I’m too old to play your games.” Ishii was absorbing strikes and dishing them out, just wrecking Omega any chance he got, and it really felt like Omega was going to have to kill him to end him.
I’d say the finish was an all-timer but 75% of the match felt like the finish. So frantic, so intense, so desperate. Both guys were just bringing it, not holding back while both their mouths were busted open, hitting all their shit with gusto and delivering some wildly complex wrestling sequences with the crowd hanging on everything. Ishii goes for the One-Winged Angel (!), but Omega pushes him away and hits a V-Trigger for two. Ishii uses everything he can to stay standing, just stumbling on his feet, then throws a burst of elbows at Omega, yells COME ON, then gets brought down with a reverse rana.
I turn my head for a second and Omega is doing a springboard double stomp on the apron to the floor WHAT. Ishii fights out of a One-Winged Angel, tries a tombstone, Omega slips out and rolls Ishii through, tries a V-Trigger but Ishii CATCHES IT, tries a Dragon sleeper but Omega lands on his feet, Omega hits a V-Trigger 1-2-NOOO. Omega hits a SPIKE Angel’s Wings 1-2-NOOO. Omega sets up the One-Winged Angel but Ishii counters it with a crucifix driver 1-2-NOOO. Ishii throws like five big lariats at Kenny, Kenny fires back with a V-Trigger, both guys stagger, Omega runs into a HEADBUTT, then runs into a massive lariat 1-2-NOOOO!! Omega drops a brainbuster and Ishii kicks out at ONE. Both guys then just throw blows at each other all exhausted until Ishii drops a brainbuster for three.
Incredible, phenomenal, awesome wrestling match that exemplifies all that can be great about the G1 Climax – it’s late in the tournament, both guys are going all out, the top guy is trying to cement his undefeated streak but he’s up against a midcard guy trying to prove himself and earn a title shot. So so so good. ****3/4
2. G1 Climax – Block B: Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi
It was a bit jarring to go from a match with two guys who have mastered REALLY TRYING to win their wrestling matches to two guys who have mastered REALLY NOT TRYING to win their wrestling matches. And that’s not a knock on anyone, it’s just a vibe these guys bring and I appreciate both.
This was a match that had flashes of a lot of very cool professional wrestling but not sure it went anywhere beyond that. Tons of good stuff, highlighted by Ibushi countering a top rope frankensteiner by landing on his damn feet, but the stuff in between that good stuff didn’t grab me and there were a few awkward moments, like the kickout after Naito’s draping neckbreaker.
The first 15 minutes of Naito matches are something I can be so conflicted about. I loved him throwing Ibushi into a table, then rolling into the ring and resting on his back as he waited for the ref to count. But any time he’s working over a leg it can be rough, and Ibushi isn’t exactly a guy who’s going to take advantage of that leg work anyways.
Tremendous series of strikes for the finish. It was a great match that just didn’t hit sometimes. ***1/2
