NJPW G1 Climax Day Five Review

Togi Makabe vs Katsuyori Shibata

Result: Katsuyori Shibata defeats Togi Makabe via pinfall.

Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars

Makabe started with a hard lariat and got Shibata out of the ring immediately. Shibata hit a dropkick and put a leg lock on Makabe in the ring.

Makabe hit two big lariats and went back in control. He hit multiple punches until Shibata hit a knee to the gut.

Shibata hit multiple elbows to Makabe, who didn’t seem rattled. Shibata went for another knee but got clotheslined. Makabe hit a Samoan drop for a near-fall.

The two began throwing elbows back and forth with the crowd being behind Makabe. Shibata would throw a flurry of punches and hit two kicks to the head. This didn’t rattle Makabe again who hit a clothesline that only got a one count. Shibata’s pin attempt only got a one, too.

Makabe hit a big powerbomb for a near-fall. Shibata got up and put him into a sleeper hold. He hit the PK for the win.

Rob’s Note: Definitely the best wrestling match of the G1 Climax day five so far. Shibata and Makabe battled, leading to a fun encounter. The one counts showed how intense this was between the two competitors and got the crowd into it.

Two more matches to go.

Next: Styles vs. Ibushi