NJPW G1 Climax 28 Night 8: Results, Review, Standings, Grades

Juice Robinson vs Kenny Omega

Omega tries to capitalize on a quick start, but he hesitates, selling his heel injury (Is it a work? Is it real? The world may never know.) Juice takes the opportunity and gets ahead. For the next few minutes, Omega desperately tries to land a big move to get back the momentum, but Robinson seems to have an answer for everything.

When he realizes he’s not going to be able to wrestle his way back into the match, Omega resorts to targeting the broken hand. Normally this would come off as purely heel, but since Kenny’s dealing with an injury of his own, it felt more reasonable.

They go back and forth, getting their best stuff in, selling their injuries, and building to a fantastic closing sequence. Juice sold the desperation of being winless, and gave it his all. He almost hit Pulp Friction a couple times, and got an outstanding near fall off of a one winged angel counter. In the end, though, Omega advances to 4-0.

This was a great match. It’s obvious that both guys are pacing themselves at this point in the tournament. Still, they’re both creative enough to dress up the slower pace with excellent selling and storytelling.

Rating: ****

SANADA vs Kota Ibushi

WOW. From start to finish, this was a classic, back and forth, New Japan main event. The story of the match wasn’t complicated by any means- two great athletes trying to outdo each other. The similarities between the two are undeniable, and the way the match was structured showed that they’re both aware of this, with spots specifically highlighting the parallels between the two. Commentary was also heavily leaning into this aspect of the bout, which added a lot.

One sequence particularly stuck out to me- Ibushi went for the golden triangle moonsault, only for SANADA to dodge it, climb onto the apron, and immediately go for a moonsault of his own. However, when his landed, he also locked on the Skull End to be an extra step above his opponent. This awesome game of one-upmanship was constant throughout, and it really made the match memorable.

SANADA dodged the Kamigoye, and used a draping twisting neckbreaker and Skull End to set up the finish- a picture perfect moonsault. He gets the huge upset win and moves to 3-1. This really could be SANADA’s G1.

Both guys needed a good performance in this high pressure main event spot, and they came through in a big way, delivering one of the tournament’s finest matches yet.

Rating: ****1/2

In conclusion… After a somewhat lackluster Night 7, G1 28 bounced back in a big way on Night 8. Even though we’re reaching the point in the tournament where everyone starts to slow down and pace themselves, the wrestlers of B Block were still able to pick their spots and deliver a great show.

Show Rating: 8

Updated standings:

A Block     /     B Block

White: 6                   Omega: 8

Tanahashi: 6           SANADA: 6

EVIL: 6                      Naito: 6

Elgin: 4                     Ishii: 4

Makabe: 4               Ibushi: 4

Okada: 4                  Goto: 4

Suzuki: 4                 Sabre Jr: 4

Fale: 2                     Tonga: 2

Page: 2                    Yano: 2

Hashi: 2                   Juice: 0