NJPW G1 Climax 28 Night 5: Review, Grades, and Analysis

Night 5 of the NJPW G1 Climax saw Block A take the limelight tonight, and it was headlined by a fantastic match between Kazuchika Okada and Hangman Page.

However, as is standard in NJPW, before the tournament matches we got a preview of Block B, in the form of some tag team action. Let’s get right into the action!

Zack Sabre Jr. & Taka Michinoku vs Shota Umino & Toa Henare

Taka Michinoku and Shota Umino begin this match. Taka ends up gaining the advantage, with him and Zack Sabre Jr. making frequent tags to one another in the early proceedings of the match. However, as the match continues, the momentum starts going in Shota Umino’s favour, and eventually he makes a momentum-switching tag to Toa Henare, where they both keep the momentum in their corner.

As the match continues, some spots started coming into play. One where Shota Umino is pinning Zack Sabre Jr in as many different ways as he can, to try and escape the predicament he was stuck in with many different submissions by Zack Sabre Jr. being applied. However, it was a rear naked choke that got the job done for Zack and Taka.

RESULT: Zack Sabre Jr. & Taka Michinoku

RATING: 2.5 stars

Kota Ibushi & Yujiro Takahashi vs Gedo & Toru Yano

It was Yujiro Takahashi and Gedo beginning the match. Takahashi ends up picking the advantage up for his team in the early going, and connected some fantastic tag moves with Kota Ibushi. As Yano is tagged in, he’s goes straight for the turnbuckle padding, which has become a trademark of his. It really is good fun…

Fans begin to get into this match, and are thoroughly behind Kota Ibushi. Some more fantastic spots are connected, and then a hot tag on either side really opens up this match. However, the match ended with the Pump Juice to pick up the victory for Ibushi and Takahashi.

RESULT: Kota Ibushi & Yujiro Takahashi

RATING: 2.75 stars