NJPW G1 Climax 28 Night 2: Results, Grades, and Analysis

B Block Matches

The B Block matches begin, seeing CHAOS members Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano face off.

Tomohiro Ishii (CHAOS) vs. Toru Yano (CHAOS)

Yano started the match scared of Ishii, and can you really blame him? He tried to send Ishii into the guardrail, but Ishii reversed it. Rocky Romero fell out of his commentary seat and yelled “Rocky’s down!” Yano took off one of the turnbuckle pads, and after a bit of chicanery, sent Ishii into the turnbuckle with a slingshot.

Ishii made a comeback and dodged Yano, and Yano went back first into the exposed turnbuckle. Yano hit a drop toe hold into the middle turnbuckle and rolled him up, but Ishii kicked out. Both men exchanged forearms, and Yano knocked him down with a big right! Ishii hit a German Suplex but Yano no sold it and hit a belly-to-belly! Holy cow! Yano kept trying to low blow Ishii, but wasn’t able to. The ref got shoved aside and Ishii hit a low blow and rolled Yano up for the pinfall!

Result: Tomohiro Ishii

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

This match was so much fun. Ishii had a great match here with Yano.

Juice Robinson vs. Tama Tonga (Bullet Club Firing Squad) w/ Tanga Loa

The match started with some basic chain wrestling. Neither man could keep the advantage, and it ended when Juice went for an armdrag, but Tama stopped short. Tama Tonga sent Juice to the floor, and Tanga Loa distracted Juice. This paid off for Tonga as he attacked Juice from behind and almost slammed his hand into the door on the guardrail. Thankfully Juice dodged.

Juice hit a big a back body drop, but his advantage didn’t last long. Tama Tonga worked over the hand of Juice and left him in a lot of pain. Having Tanga Loa at ringside is proving to be a major advantage, as he distracted Juice multiple times. Tama Tonga stomped on the hand of Juice. Juice ducked a punch and hit his series of jabs, but he couldn’t use his left. That broken hand suffered at the hands of Jay White is proving to be problem.

Tama Tonga locked on a guillotine choke, but Juice powered out. Juice went for an electric chair, but Tama Tonga slid out and went for the Tongan Twist. Robinson countered and hit a botched brainbuster. Juice finally hit the electric chair after a third try, and went for a Pulp Friction. Tanga Loa got on the apron and distracted the referee. Juice pulled Loa into the ring, and hit him with a big left. Since Loa isn’t in the match, Juice can’t be DQed. Juice went for Pulp Friction but Tama Tonga countered and hit the Gun Stun for the pinfall.

Result: Tama Tonga

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

This was a really solid match. Tonga pinned the US champ, so a title shot could be in his future. I have a feeling he’s going to beat Kenny Omega and get a title shot at the heavyweight title, but we’ll see.