1. G1 Climax – Block A: KENTA vs. Bad Luck Fale
The KENTA vs. Big Guy dynamic is dead, long live the KENTA vs. Big Guy dynamic. This was just any other match plus some interference from Fale’s henchmen and the crowd sounded like they were sitting there with their arms folded at this warm-up act. I did appreciate that Fale’s schoolboy cradle rollup for once looked like something that can keep a guy legitimately down. *3/4
2. G1 Climax – Block A: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Lance Archer
Lance Archer’s journey to Respected Wrestler Status continues, as here he kipped up out of a wristlock like he was trying to pop a Japanese crowd and piss some old-timers off at the same time. This was a fun match with some cool stuff, as many matches tend to be. I liked Zack countering the Derailer with a guillotine choke, liked ZSJ struggling to pull Archer’s long legs into a submission, liked ZSJ avoiding THE CLAW but getting punched in the face anyways. ZSJ uses that cunning wrestling knowledge of his to counter the Blackout with a cradle for what I’m not sure is an upset or not. ***
3. G1 Climax – Block A: Will Ospreay vs. EVIL
This was a chemistry I should’ve expected but never would have thought to, as Will is not just a smaller guy compared to the beefy hard-ass EVIL, he’s this guy who right now is all about proving he can hit as hard as all these other hard-ass guys. And first you think the story going’s to be about Will showing he can compete with EVIL, but it ends up being about EVIL showing he can move just as well as Will and my mind was just flipped.
The calmer moments of the match saw EVIL in control, Will selling that neck of his, and rallying from time to time. There was a great moment early where EVIl couldn’t get a chair closed to get it in the ring, saved by both guys’ pitch perfect reactions. They built to an insane finish, with the crowd all in on Will as he went for the kill on EVIL with a jaw-dropping sit-out powerbomb and some mind-blowing counters that stood out in a tournament filled with them. The crowd was buzzing that special kind of wrestling buzzing as EVIL went for the kill, and god damn did he kill. ****1/4
4. G1 Climax – Block A: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi
A 15-minute epic that felt like the amazing 35 they went in the finals last year condensed into this incredible no-bullshit sprint. Ibushi dares headlock Tanahashi early, so Tana is relentless on Ibushi’s already hurting leg, until Ibushi responds with a crazy springboard frankensteiner, the lawn dart into the corner, a double stomp, and the deadlift German suplex from the apron. It all leads to Tana falling to a knee from a slap to the face as Ibushi looks over him – IT IS ON.
They slap the shit out of each other and go full G1 Climax for the finish. Ibushi bumps on his head on a Sling Blade, Tana MISSES the High Fly Flow, Ibushi sets up the Bomayea and hits it for a near fall, Tana sets up the Kamigoye but Tana counters it with a desperate cradle for a big near fall. Ibushi does a high kick and the way Tanahashi pivots his hips and locks his knees to try and stay up 15 minutes into this war is incredible. Unfortunately another high kick and Kamigoye is waiting for him and Kota Ibushi pins Hiroshi Tanahashi. Brilliant, credible, to-the-point professional wrestling. ****1/2
5. G1 Climax – Block A: Kazuchika Okada vs. SANADA
The idea of this match is perfect. Really, I couldn’t think of a better finish: SANADA pins Okada 13 seconds away from the 30-minute draw, giving SANADA his first ever victory over Okada, the current IWGP Champion, in a match that also happens to be Okada’s first loss in the G1. That’s how you make the most of a situation, folks.
And since they go nearly 30, I have to say: there’s parts of this I just tuned out on. It happens. They revved it up here and there, but I break it down like this: the first 10 was a little slow, the next 10 wasn’t bad, and the last 10 was a blazing hot meteor of a wonderful professional wrestling match.
The good stuff early involved Okada really embracing being a dick: smiling pre-bell, doing a one-arm Rainmaker pose after a shoulder tackle, a cover with one. However when he ends up managing to hit a Rainmaker, he holds his neck and collapses in exhaustion. These boys built and built this sucker into one filled with a large Home Depot bucket of drama. Okada desperately fighting away from the Skull End as the clock hit 25 minutes and the crowd got louder and louder was some STUFF, baby. SANADA finally locks it in and Red Shoes’ does an incredible “ALMOST1′ referee sell, but Okada is waving his arm around better than Ricky Steamboat ever did.
SANADA finally releases it and hits the moonsault, which has worked for him before, but Okada gets his KNEES UP! The SHOCK! EVERYBODY IS SPENT! Okada tries a Rainmaker, but SANADA blocks it and hits TWO MOONSAULTS for the win at 29 minutes and by god 47 seconds. ****1/4
