NJPW G1 Climax 28 Night 4: Review, Grades, and Analysis

B Block Matches

Night 4 of the NJPW G1 Climax 28 continues with the block matches, featuring Kenny Omega vs. Hirooki Goto and Tetsuya Naito vs. Tomohiro Ishii.

SANADA (LIJ) (0-1) vs. Tama Tonga (Firing Squad) (1-0) w/ Tanga Loa

Tama Tonga and SANADA started this match with a great exchange of technical wrestling. Tonga tried to lock SANADA in the paradise lock, but he didn’t actually know how to do it. Tanga Loa was sent backstage after interference. SANADA hit flying crossbody on Tama Tonga, and took control of the match. SANADA accidentally crashed into the referee and then hit a gun stun on Tama Tonga. As the referee was down, Loa and Fale came in and attacked SANADA. After a powerbomb, the referee woke up and SANADA kicked out. SANADA then rolled up Tama Tonga and got the pinfall.

Result: SANADA (1-1)

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

This was a really fun match with both guys being athletic. I had a lot of fun watching this one, and I’m pleased with the ending as the interference backfired on Tama Tonga.

Toru Yano (CHAOS) (0-1) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (Suzuki-gun) (0-1) w/ Taka Michinoku

Toru Yano was trying to out wrestle Sabre, to hilarious results. Yano kept trying, and kept almost getting suplexes, but Sabre would counter with a submission. After an exchange of holds, Yano actually managed to lock on an abdominal stretch on ZSJ! Sabre managed to roll to the outside and lock Yano’s leg in the railing and tied him up in it.

Yano managed to make it in before the 20 count, but just barely. ZSJ locked on a leg submission and started tearing at Yano’s knees and arms. Toru Yano hit a belly to belly suplex, and rolled ZSJ up, but ZSJ kicked out. ZSJ did a flying triangle choke on Yano, and almost got the tap out, but Yano made the ropes.

Sabre and Yano exchanged a series of near falls before Yano tried to cheat again. He ripped off two turnbuckle pads, and went for a low blow, but ZSJ caught it and rolled him up and pinned him.

Result: Zack Sabre Jr. (1-1)

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

This was so much fun. Yano and ZSJ had a ton of chemistry and it was great. I loved Yano trying to out wrestle Sabre. It’s a very interesting story, seeing Toru Yano try to wrestle straight wrestling matches, then giving up and returning to his old tactics.