So it comes to this.
This seemed like an excellent G1 Climax, but following it on AXS versus NJPW World / NJPW TV is going to skew that a bit.
As far as the Big 4, Hiroshi Tanahashi continues to be incredible and delivered a great match in a lot of different scenarios. Kazuchika Okada was a weird one to follow – it was almost off-putting to see him not with the aura of The Man, and some of his matches suffered as a result. Kenny Omega I’m split on – some good stuff, some stinkers. Tetsuya Naito delivered some good stuff but seemed more bored than usual.
Kota Ibusi seemed to have a good run but AXS didn’t much footage of him. Tomohiro Ishii again delivered in all his big spots and along with Tanahashi is my tournament MVP. Minoru Suzuki has slowed down but still delivered the goods with Tanahashi and Okada.
Guys like SANADA, EVIL, Hangman Page, Juice Robinson, and Zack Sabre Jr. basically stayed where they were – solid matches, but no star-maker.
Blessed to have missed most of Elgin, Switchblade, YOSHI-HASHI, Tonga, and Bad Luck Fale.
Toru Yano and Togi Makabe have still got it.
And Hirooki Goto was Hirooki Goto.
Tons of great wrestling – my FAV 5 outside of the finals was: 1) Omega/Ishii Night 14, 2) Ishii/Goto Night 6, 3) Omega/Naito Night 2, 4) Tanahashi/Okada Night 17, 5) Omega/Ibushi Night 18
1. G1 Climax – Final: Hiroshi Tanahashi w/ Katsuyori Shibata vs. Kota Ibushi w/ Kenny Omega
After he was essentially squashed by Kazuchika Okada a few months ago, the G1 Climax 28 was all about re-cementing Hiroshi Tanahashi as a superstar. He had quality matches in a questionable block, producing greatness with the usual suspects like Suzuki and Okada and bringing the drama with everybody from EVIL to Bad Luck Fale. And against all apparent odds, he made it to the finals.
And the finals is where his genius was on full display. It is 2018 and Hiroshi Tanahashi is still the master. He is the only man who will take advantage of the G1 Climax’s Big Fight Feel by doing headlocks and headscissors. And you buy into it because it always pays off. It builds and it builds and suddenly – my GOD, you are watching the greatest drama you have ever seen in your life.
Not to sell Ibushi short – the guy is tremendous. His facial expressions gave the match a hook: his “please God” before the match, his dejected face as he went down on another strike exchange, his “JESUS CHRIST” as he tried to put away Tanahashi, his “my God” after Tanahashi kicked out of the sit-out Last Ride. As per usual everything he hit looked incredible too, highlighted by the springboard moonsault and his perfect moonsault knees.
There are a ton of cool little spots scattered between the drama here. Tanahashi fires off a shoulderblock early and Ibushi goes “naw baby,” kips up and kicks Tanahashi down. Tanahashi selling Ibushi’s rapid-fire strikes all while he is getting more and more pissed is a special spot. And Tanahashi slapping Ibushi off the top turnbuckle, only for Ibushi to spring up and drop him with a Frankensteiner was SO cool.
This match is very simple. It doesn’t have a ton of complex sequences or near falls – there’s a couple, but only a couple. Otherwise, it’s strikes and holds and facial expressions. And it’s god damn brilliant. ****1/2
