That’s how it starts…
We go back to your house
You check the charts…
And start to figure it out
And if it’s crowded, all the better
Because we know we’re gonna be up late…
But if you’re worried about the weather
Then you picked the wrong place to stay…
That’s how it starts…
And so it starts…
You switch the engine on…
We set controls for the heart of the sun…
One of the ways we show our age
And if the sun comes up, if the sun comes up, if the sun comes up
And I still don’t wanna stagger home
Then it’s the memory of our betters…
That are keeping us on our feet
You spent the first five years trying to get with the plan
And the next five years trying to be with your friends again…
1. Yota Tsuji vs. Gabriel Kidd
I usually like the low key demo feel of these openers but this was a whole dang match and worth checking out over much of the G1 so far. As per usual they kept it competitive and credible, providing a good solid match that eventually built and built into something more urgent and special as the time limit got closer. When it actually hit, Tsuji and Kidd got up and threw ALL the slaps like they were ready for 15 more. ***1/2
2. G1 Climax – Block B: Toru Yano vs. Juice Robinson
Nagaoka City Hall provided a bright backdrop for the evening, and Juice Robinson and Toru Yano played some games in front of it. A turnbuckle pad was nearly given a monkey flip and a t-shirt was stomped on. Juice Daddy played along more and maybe better than most. *1/2
3. G1 Climax – Block B: Hirooki Goto vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
This was just the start of a wrestling match before ZSJ trapped Goto’s shoulders DOWN with a leg roll clutch than 4 minutes in and won. I like these two with certain opponents in certain scenarios, but as one G1 match among many the surprise quick win was probably for the best. *1/2
4. G1 Climax – Block B: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. YOSHI-HASHI
YOSHI-HASHI is having himself a G1, though in all the weirdest ways: I liked his matches with Juice Robinson and SANADA over this one with Tanahashi, and his match with EVIL is a Top 3 match of the tournament so far while all of EVIL’s other G1 matches kind of suck.
YOSHI is at least able to provide some kind of hook or dynamic to his opponent’s usual matcheswith his oafish underdog gimmick, and that hook is appreciated – especially with the usual suspects not always delivering right now in the tournament.
Here YOSHI gave another Best Effort and worked over Tanahashi’s leg, then Tana did his best to make it all pay off by selling his abs off a missed High Fly Flow and seeming to be trapped in a Butterfly Lock forever. It was pretty good but was missing energy or even the usual YOSHI-HASHI underdog charm, which is a weird thing to be missing against Tanahashi of all people. Maybe being Okada’s boy means Tanahashi takes it easy. ***
5. G1 Climax – Block B: KENTA vs. EVIL
The capitalized bullet boys club went after each other’s shoulder sockets and delivered all their moves with an intent and aggression – plus DICK TOGO was here! – but this was just such a boring 15-minute match. I’m having issues even slotting these two across Bullet Club, but opposite each other definitely wasn’t the most fun route to go. **1/4
6. G1 Climax – Block B: Tetsuya Naito vs. SANADA
This is one of those G1 Climax matches that is worth watching but also kind of isn’t. Naito and SANADA are two guys who are scary good at the execution of many complicated attacks or counters based on speed and agility, though maybe not at pacing out a 30-minute match where the first 20 or 25 minutes or really worth the journey.
I won’t doubt the approach as the crowd eventually became unglued when they got to where they needed to, but the first little while felt a little empty before the last 10 that had insane effort: in fast-paced finisher sequences, and in both guys showing just how bad they want this. ***3/4
SANADA is the second LIJ member to pin Naito in a big match this year. I think we all know who’s next…….. BUSHI.
Happy Thoughts: Pretty skippable, though Naito vs. SANADA might be worth a peak and that Tsuji/Kidd match is IT. We now rest until Monday, which begins four nights in a row. Tranquilo, man… 4/10
