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

Tomohiro Ishii & Sho vs Hirooki Goto & Yoh

Rappongi 3K are on separate sides again, and honestly I don’t know what to think now about it at this point… Ishii and Goto begin, trying to outdo one another in the power game, and they do a pretty cool spot with shoulder tackles. A tag on either side however causes Yoh and Sho to verse off, and we see the speed game now coming into effect.

A hot tag is done once again, but only on one side this time. Goto gets tagged in and takes out both Ishii and Sho. Yoh and Ishii start a spot which ends with You lifting up Ishii for a Falcon Arrow. It was awesome. The match concludes however with Ishii connecting a brainbuster for the win.

RESULT: Tomohiro Ishii & Sho

RATING: 3.5 stars

Jay White (2-0) vs Michael Elgin (2-0)

The Block A matches start off with Big Mike and the Switchblade, and it was awesome! Both had 2 wins (4 points) heading into this match, so it was sure to be a great battle. To open the match off, both superstars were chopping one another where Elgin gets the advantage to send the Switchblade out of the ring, and Elgin did a suicide dive! They go into the crowd and Elgin tries to suplex White, but White doesn’t let it happen and he rams Elgin into the barricade.

As it was a frantic, awesome start to the match, both wrestlers get back inside the ring. Elgin uses his striking power to gain more of an advantage,and he connects some brutal forearms to give him the momentum needed. They went to the apron, and Jay White attempted a Cross Legged Suplex from the apron, but it was a AWFUL landing and the spot didn’t go right, but props for trying.

The match finished with a Blade Runner attempt, but Elgin connects a Forearm, a back-spinning elbow, and a huge lariat, but someway Jay White finds a way to kick out. Heading into the final moments, Jay White feels a buckle bomb but the referee didn’t move out of the way in time. White connects a low blow and the Blade Runner to remain undefeated in this year’s G1 Climax tournament.

RESULT: Jay White (3-0) defeated Michael Elgin (2-1)

RATING: 4.25 stars

Minoru Suzuki (0-2) vs YOSHI-HASHI (0-2)

Both were scoreless before the match began in this year’s G1, but Suzuki was the favourite on paper for this match. Yoshi-YOSHI with an attack right out of the corner, and his aggressive side is back once again and shown again tonight. The upset would honestly be huge! However, Suzuki gains the advantage quickly by attacking the injured shoulder.

As Suzuki gains the advantage, I once again, like every Minoru Suzuki match, admire his work and look at the talent he has, he’s truly is fantastic. Back to the match, YOSHI-HASHI tries his hardest to fight back, but it isn’t quite enough to overcome Suzuki just yet. Suzuki begins manipulating the arm and the injured shoulder, and then the Gotch Style Pile-driver gets Minoru Suzuki his first points in the G1.

RESULT: Minoru Suzuki (1-2) defeated YOSHI-HASHI (0-3)

RATING: 3.75 Stars