Night 1 of the NJPW G1 Climax 29 kicks off tonight live from Dallas, Texas.
The show will feature the first tournament matches from the A-Block and will see the best of the best clash to see who gets the ever important first victory and two points in the NJPW G1 Climax.
The show will feature the debut of KENTA in NJPW, who will be looking to prove to a lot of people that WWE made a huge mistake in not pushing him. Kota Ibushi will be a very tough test, but I venture to guess that we will be seeing the rebirth of KENTA tonight.
In the main event, we will see Kazuchika Okada take on his long-time rival and now friend, Hiroshi Tanahashi. Tanahashi and Okada have had one of the most legendary feuds of the last 20 years, and you can expect them to add another impressive match to their collection tonight.
The battle of the Ace vs. the Rainmaker happens once again! Who will come out on top? Stick with us here at Daily DDT for all the live coverage and news on the show. Check back right here for the results as the show airs. For US residents, the show can be viewed on AXS TV, and for international viewers, it can be seen on NJPW World, as normal. The replay will be added for all viewers after the show airs.
Full Card (w/ my predictions for the block matches):
- Ropongi 3K (SHO & YOH) (CHAOS) w/ Rocky Romero vs. Guerillas of Destiny (Tanga Loa & Tama Tonga) (Bullet Club)
- Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii (CHAOS) vs. Ren Narita & Jeff Cobb
- CHAOS (YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto) vs. Bullet Club (Chase Owens & Jay White
- Jushin Thunder Liger, Juice Robinson, & Toru Yno (CHAOS) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Shingo Takagi, & Tetsuya Naito)
A Block Matches
- Will Ospreay (CHAOS) vs. Lance Archer (Suzuki-gun)
Prediction: Will Ospreay
- EVIL (Los Ingobernables de Japon) vs. Bad Luck Fale (Bullet Club)
Prediction: Bad Luck Fale
- SANADA (Los Ingobernables de Japon) vs. Zack Zabre Jr. (Suzuki-gun)
Prediction: Zack Sabre Jr.
- Kota Ibushi vs. KENTA
Prediction: KENTA
- Kazuchika Okada (CHAOS) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
Prediction: Kazuchika Okada
Ropongi 3K (SHO & YOH) (CHAOS) w/ Rocky Romero vs. Guerillas of Destiny (Tanga Loa & Tama Tonga) (Bullet Club)
RPG 3k starts the match fast, taking it to Tanga Loa and Tama Tonga. YOH and SHO hit two tope con giro’s on each member of G.o.D. RPG 3k then took it to Tama Tonga and went for another dive, but Tama Tonga rolled to the outside and Tanga Loa cut them off with a double clothesline. Tanga Loa hit a running powerslam on SHO. Tanga Loa actually hit a slingshot senton in the ring, which was a huge move for a such a big man.
Tama Tonga followed that with a slingshot corkscrew elbow, which was also very impressive. SHO managed to hit a spear on Tanga Loa and tagged out to YOH. YOH ran wild, hitting a dropkick on Tanga Loa and a flying forearm on Tonga. YOH hit a Northern Lights Suplex on Tama Tonga, but got a 2 count. YOH went for a superkick, but Tama countered and hit a back suplex before picking YOH up in a fireman’s carry.
YOH fought it off, but Tama Tonga went for a Gun Stun and YOH blocked it and hit a superkick. SHO And YOH hit stereo knees on Tama Tonga and Loa. They went for the 3K, but Tonga few in out of nowhere and hit the Gun Stun on SHO and followed up with a super powerbomb on YOH for the pinfall!
Results: GoD
Rating: *** (3 stars out of 5)
Excellent fast paced tag to start the show. A quick match, but all action and still provided a good showcase for RPG 3k against the heavyweight tag team. RPG 3k has a future in the heavyweight division, if you ask me. The was an excellent opening to the NJPW G1 Climax Night 1 show, and it will be interesting to see how the tag division develops with GoD being hotter than ever.
Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii (CHAOS) vs. Ren Narita & Jeff Cobb
Ishii and Cobb started the match with a war. Cobb hit an Okada style dropkick, and Ishii shrugged it off and hit a shoulder block! Both men wanted to fight more, but the Young Lions tagged in. My goodness, I can’t wait for Ishii/Cobb. After a good exchange of chain wrestling, Ishii was tagged back in and he started killing Narita with chops.
Narita tried to forearm Ishii, but Ishii just ate it and didn’t react. Ishii went for one of his own, but Narita ducked and actually rocked him with a forearm! Narita hit the ropes and Ishii hit a shoulder block. Ishii tried for a vertical brainbuster, but Narita reversed it and hit one of his own! Narita tagged out to Cobb who hit a series of belly-to-belly suplexes, followed wit ha delayed suplex on Ishii.
Cobb hit a swinging back suplex on Ishii, but only got a 2 count. Cobb went for a deadlift German suplex, and Ishii blocked it and begged Cobb to hit him with a forearm. Both men started to exchange hard strikes, to a roar from the crowd. Cobb hit the ropes and went for a lariat, but Ishii ducked under and hit a huge German suplex on Cobb. Shota Umino tagged out and hit a flying dropkick on Cobb before trying for a suplex on him.
Cobb resisted but Shota wouldn’t give up, and nailed Cobb with a few forearms before finally hitting a huge suplex. Shota went for a German suplex, but Cobb fought out and hit an uppercut on Shota. Ishii nailed Cobb, but Narita killed him with a flying kick. Cobb suplexed Shota, and then hit a Tour of the Islands for the pinfall!
Result: Jeff Cobb
Rating: *** (3 stars out of 5)
This was a very fun tag match that left us all wanting more of Ishii/Cobb. It also proved to be a great highlight for the young lions, who got a great reaction. After the match, Cobb and Ishii continued to brawl as Ren Narita tried to keep them back. The Young Lions flooded the ring trying to pull them apart, but Ishii and Cobb kept trying to get at each other. This was great!
CHAOS (YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto) vs. Bullet Club (Chase Owens & Jay White) w/ Gedo
White looked to start the match with Goto, but like a true heel, he immediately went to the apron and sent Chase Owens in. As they were about to lock up, Owens shifted and attacked YOSHI-HASHI and White attacked Goto from behind. Goto went after White, but Owens tried to cut him off. Goto killed Owens with a chop and went after White on the outside. Gedo distracted Goto and Owens hit a dropkick. Owens tried to get the advantage on Goto again, but Goto hit a spinning lariat and tagged out to YOSHI-HASHI who then killed Owens with two chops.
YOSHI-HASHI put Owens on the ropes and hit a dropkick to the back of Chase Owens and got a near fall. Gedo distracted YOSHI-HASHI and Owens drove YOSHI-HASHI’s throat into the ropes. White then took advantage on the outside, driving YOSHI-HASHI into the apron several times. Bullet Club then started to get the heat on YOSHI-HASHI for the next few minutes, with Owens working him over. YOSHI-HASHI hit a neckbreaker and tried to make the tag, but White cut him off and continued working over the back. YOSHI-HASHI hit a head-hunter and made the tag to Goto.
Goto went after White wit ha series of hard elbows, a big corner lariat, and a back suplex. Owens tried to cut him off, but Goto caught his foot and locked on a single leg crab! As White tried to stop the submission, Goto let go and scared White, who backed off quickly. It seems that Goto is one step ahead in this match, at least until White hit a Saito Suplex and tagged out to Chase Owens.
Owens tried to hit a series of hard forearms, but Goto kept eating them. Owens fired up and hit a few more, told Goto to “suck it” and hit a big kick, and then a huge knee, followed by Jewel Heist! Goto kicked out. White hit a twisting brainbuster, and Owens hit a running knee, but YOSHI-HASHI made the save to break up the pinfall. Owens went for the package piledriver, but Goto fought out.
Owens killed him with a back elbow, and YOSHI-HASHI took out Owens. As this happened, Goto recovered and took out White and dropped Owens.Goto went for the GTR on Owens and scored the big pinfall to build some much-needed momentum heading into his match against Jay White next weekend.
Result: CHAOS
Rating *** (3 stars out of 5)
This was another very solid tag match that featured a lot of great action. Goto looked like an absolute superstar in this match, and came across as one of the top guys in the tournament. Excellent stuff from Goto here. White played heel so well as well. He’s a great foil for Goto, and I expect their match will be great.
Jushin Thunder Liger, Juice Robinson, & Toru Yano (CHAOS) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Shingo Takagi, & Tetsuya Naito)
Naito has gone on record wanting to be the first person that holds the IWGP Intercontinental Championship and the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and given his record in the G1, he has a very strong chance of making NJPW history. With that being said, it will not be an easy task.
BUSHI and Liger start the match, and Liger gets a massive reaction from the audience. BUSHI went after the eyes of Liger, but Liger hit a big tilt-a-whril back breaker before locking in the Romero Special. Shingo broke it up with a knee to the head of Liger, and they began to get the heat on the beloved veteran. Naito was tagged in and he started to work over Liger, locking on a sleeper hold.
Naito went full heel mode here, working over Liger with cheap shots and whatnot here. Shingo tagged in and Liger tried to make a comeback with a series of chops, but Shingo was too powerful. Shingo, making his G1 debut, has only lost 1 match since his debut in NJPW. Liger hit a Shotei and a tagged out to Juice. Juice and Shingo faced off, previewing their match for next weekend.
Robinson went for the Juice Box, but Shingo countered and went for a Sliding D, but Juice laid down on the mat to avoid it and hit a full nelson slam. Juice went for a series of jabs and his big left, but Shingo hit the ropes and both men hit double lariats. Juice hit a big left hand and went for Pulp Friction, but Shingo countered with a xx and Naito and Yano tagged in.
Yano hit the ropes but stopped short hooking his arms on the ropes to avoid a hip toss. Yano then screamed and went for the turnbuckle trying to undo it. Naito cut him off, but Yano threw him to the other corner and managed to undo the padding (which is apparently called Larry, according to Rocky Romero). Yano and Naito tried to outcheat each other, but Naito cut him off with a neck breaker, and Yano and Bushi were left in the ring. Yano pushed BUSHI towards the ref, who ducked, and then Yano low blowed BUSHI and rolled him up for the pinfall!
Result: Yano, Robinson, & Liger
Rating: **1/2 (2.5 stars out of 5)
I love Toru Yano. He’s hilarious. Every spot of his that sees him try to cheat always makes me laugh. Robinson and Juice celebrated as Liger’s music played to a roar from the crowd. This was a fun tag, and leaves us wanting more. I can’t wait until Naito and Yano face off. Shingo and Juice will also be fantastic. NJPW is doing an excellent job building to the next show.
Will Ospreay (CHAOS) vs. Lance Archer (Suzuki-gun)
Lance Archer made his entrance and immediately attacked two Young Lions. Archer is a 19 year veteran, and you can expect him to try and top everything here. Archer charged Ospreay to start the match, but Ospreay hit a standing Spanish Fly! He then hit a flying corkscrew body press to the outside of the ring onto Archer and followed up with a Springboard 450! Ospreay got a near fall, as this match starts hot.
Archer was on the apron, but Ospreay hit a springboard dropkick and sent him to the floor. Ospreay went for the Space Flying Tiger Drop, but Archer caught him and choke slammed him through a ring side table! Holy crap! Archer sent Ospreay back into the ring and hit a huge shoulder block. Archer hit a massive lariat and got a 2 count. Ospreay was bleeding from the nose here, as Archer walked across the top rope holding Ospreay’s hand in an arm lock before diving off the rope with a forearm blow.
Archer locked on an arm lock, and continued to hammer away at the nose and arm of Ospreay to boos from the crowd. Archer killed Ospreay with a series of hard running elbows in the corner, and Ospreay hit the mat in a heap. Archer screamed “Everybody dies!” as he picked Ospreay up. Ospreay fired back with hard forearms, but Archer killed him with a big one of his own. Archer hit another running elbow, sent Ospreay to the ropes, and then Ospreay did a handspring corkscrew kick that dropped Archer.
Ospreay hit a kick the head and a top rope 619! Ospreay hit a springboard flying elbow, but Archer kicked out. Ospreay went for Stormbreaker, but Archer hit a forearm. Ospreay hit an enziguri. Ospreay hit the ropes and Archer hit the opposite direction and went for a shoulder tackle, but Ospreay jumped over him (HOLY CRAP) and hit a head kick but Archer hit the shoulder tackle on a second attempt.
Archer than hit a buckle bomb and a last ride on Ospreay. Ospreay rolled to the outside, and Archer hit an apron powerbomb on Ospreay, leaving him half dead on the outside. Archer dragged Ospreay up the entrance ramp and picked Osprey up for another powerbomb, but Ospreay flipped over and hit a Code Red! Oh my goodness.
Ospreay and Archer tried to get back to the ring but Archer shoved him to the side! As Archer was crawling through the ropes, Ospreay git a springboard dropkick and a shooting star press! Archer kicked out. Ospreay went for the OsCutter, but Archer blocked it. Ospreay managed to go for it again, and hit him! Archer kicked out! Ospreay hit a series of Kawada kicked and went for the Hidden Blade, but Archer counters and went for the Black Out. Ospreay ended up on the top rope, and Archer hit him and hit the Muscle Buster! Ospreay kicked out!
Archer put Ospreay on the top rope and went for Black Out again, and nailed Ospreay but Ospreay kicked out! Archer signals for the Iron Claw and gets it on Ospreay. Ospreay fights to try and get out of it, as the crowd cheered the favourite moves of the Von Erich’s. Ospreay made it to the ropes, to Archer’s frustration. Archer takes Ospreay back up to the top rope and tries to chokeslam him off!
Ospreay counters and hits a top rope Spanish Fly on Archer! Holy cow. This match is insane. Archer kicked out. Ospreay went for Stormbreaker again, and hit a series of Kawada kicks before picking Archer up and going for Stormbreaker again! Archer powers out and goes for a Chokeslam, but Ospreay backflips out and hits a series of huge kicks and goes for a super OsCutter, but Archer cuts him off!
Archer goes for a top rope dragon suplex, but Ospreay breaks his grip and hits a headbutt that sends archer to the mat! Archer runs up the ropes and hits a flying knee! My goodness! Archer then tries a Super Black Out from the top rope, but doesn’t make the cover on Ospreay! Archer locks on the Iron Claw and drives Ospreay to the mat and gets the pinfall! Wow!
Prediction: Will Ospreay
Result: Lance Archer (1-0) (2 Points)
Rating: ****1/2 stars (4.5 stars out of 5)
This match was the perfect big man vs. small man match, and both men worked very hard to start the tournament off hot. Ospreay looked like an absolute star, and Lance Archer looked more dangerous than ever in this one. Both men came out looking incredible, and Archer is going to be a major force to be reckoned with going forward. Incredible match.
EVIL (Los Ingobernables de Japon) vs. Bad Luck Fale (Bullet Club)
EVIL and Fale start the match with a brawl at ringside. EVIL went up the ramp and hit a running shoulder block that staggered Fale. Fale was never pinned or submitted last year, despite only having 6 points. He was DQ’d 6 times, however, indicating that he didn’t really care about winning, but about causing as much havoc as possible. Fale slammed EVIL on the entrance ramp.
Fale shoved the referee away and continued to beat on EVIL. Fale drove EVIL’s head into the apron and worked over EVIL’s back. EVIL managed to make it back into the ring before the count out but Fale is still in the dominant position. EVIL fired up with a few big forearms, but Fale overpowered him and continued with a few forearms to the back.
Fale continued to be a clubberin’ (™ Dusty Rhodes) and sent EVIL into the corner. Fale ran at him, but EVIL dodged and Fale crashed into the corner, stumbled out, and EVIL hit a huge body slam on Fale! EVIL clotheslined Fale over the top rope to a big pop from the crowd. EVIL grabbed two chairs from under the ring, but Fale cut him off and grabbed one of them and went to hit EVIL in the back. EVIL kicked him in the stomach, put the chair over Fale’s head and sent him flying into the corner post.
The momentum has changed drastically in this match with that, as Fale is laying in the corner, and EVIL hit a flying hip attack onto Fale. EVIL called Fale to his feet and hit a hard lariat, but Fale didn’t go down. Fale went down to one knee but as EVIL went for a third lariat, Fale hit a shoulder tackle that sent EVIL to the mat. Fale then hit a big splash on EVIL, but EVIL kicked out.
Fale brought both chairs into the ring, putting himself at risk of DQ here. The referee fought with him about the chair, trying to rip it from Fale’s hands, so EVIL kicked the chair up into Fale’s face and got a near fall after a lariat that dropped Fale. EVIL calls for Everything is Evil, but Fale countered and went for the Grenade, but EVIL countered and went for another lariat. Fale caught him and hit the Grenade, but EVIL kicked out!
Fale went for the Bad Luck Fall, but EVIL fought out. Fale tried to kick EVIL, but EVIL caught the foot and threw it to the ref and clotheslined Fale. The referee bumped to the outside. EVIL put a chair over Fale’s head and tried to swing for the fences, but Fale cut him off and hit a low blow. Fale swung for the fences instead and hit a chair off EVIL’s head. He followed up wit the Bad Luck Fall and got the pinfall!
Prediction: Bad Luck Fale
Result: Bad Luck Fale (1-0) (2 points)
Rating: **3/4 (2.75 stars out of 5)
This was a perfect cool down match after the opening match tearing the house down. Fale and EVIL delivered a perfectly fine match. Fale started off as the monster he is, and EVIL put up a good fight. EVIL will take on SANADA at the next A-Block show, so his loss here could hurt his momentum badly.
SANADA (Los Ingobernables de Japon) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (Suzuki-gun)
SANADA and ZSJ locked up, and SANADA rolled him through with a wristlock. Sabre responded by locking on a cravat. Sabre took SANADA over with a wristlock and maintained control over SANADA, bending the arm in several painful positions. SANADA rolled through and hit initiated a series of incredible counters between both men where neither man was able to maintain control.
Both men got a huge ovation as they stood facing each other, but ZSJ and SANADA then started exchanging a series of pinfall attempts, but they kept switching until SANADA went for the Paradise Lock, but ZSJ countered and both men exchanged pinfall attempts again. Neither man could get the advantage again, as the crowd chanted “New Japan!”
SANADA asked for a test of strength, but ZSJ faked him out and wouldn’t engage. SANADA asked again, and Zack went for it this time and tried to manipulate the arm again. SANADA briefly had the strength advantage, but ZSJ used leverage to take SANADA down with a series of arm locks again. SANADA managed to reverse and get his own strangle hold. Zack tried to fight out, but SANADA kept him down with power twice before Sabre found an opening and turned it around.
ZSJ turned it around too, and then hit an uppercut on SANADA. SANADA and Sabre started to exchange holds again, but it ended with Sabre eating a dropkick as SANADA looked to up the pace a little bit. SANADA went for a dive, but Sabre walked away. SANADA simply floated over onto the apron. ZSJ decided to take his time getting back into the ring. SANADA went for the Paradise Lock twice on Sabre, but he couldn’t lock it in, and Sabre instead countered into an armbar.
SANADA made it to the ropes to escape but ZSJ continued to work over the arm and sent SANADA to the floor. As SANADA came back in, Sabre stomped on his arm and hit a big PK to the back of SANADA. Sabre then begged SANADA to chop him, but Sabre then hit an uppercut and locked on a Cobra Twist. SANADA fought out with a hip toss and then a dropkick, but Sabre twisted SANADA’s arm and went for a kick to the arm again.
SANADA dodged and managed to lock on a modified Paradise Lock on ZSJ that left him in the ropes! The crowd exploded as Sabre was stuck in the ropes! SANADA hit a dropkick and sent Sabre to the outside. Back in the ring, SANADA went for a back suplex and Sabre failed to counter. Sabre kicked out.
SANADA went for a springboard dropkick, but Sabre caught him and locked on the Octopus Hold, (AKA, Hurrah! Another Year, Surely This One Will Be Better Than the Last; The Inexorable March of Progress Will Lead Us All to Happiness!) Sabre then turned it into an armbar, but SANADA managed to make it to the ropes.
Sabre managed to lock on his own version of Skull End, but SANADA stood up, leaving Sabre on his shoulders. SANADA went for the TKO, but ZSJ countered into a guillotine choke. SANADA managed to escape and drive Sabre down before hitting a TKO, but ZSJ kicked out. SANADA went for a moonsault, but Sabre moved and SANADA landed on his feet. Sabre went for an uppercut, but SANADA countered and hit a backslide. ZSJ rolled through and hit a PK, but SANADA kicked out.
ZSJ went for the Zack Driver, but SANADA slipped out and locked on Skull End! SANADA swung Sabre around with Skull End, and then went for a moonsault again, but ZSJ caught him in a Triangle Choke! Holy crap! SANADA picked him up and went for a powerbomb, but ZSJ rolled out and went for another submission. SANADA hit a moonsault press into a Skull End, but Sabre countered into a pinfall attempt! SANADA countered into his own pin and got a victory over ZSJ!
Prediction: Zack Sabre Jr.
Result: SANADA (1-0) (2 points)
Rating ****1/4 (4.25 stars out of 5)
ZSJ was furious and locked on a triangle choke on the referee after bell. I wonder if this sets up a title match for SANADA for the RevPro British Heavyweight Championship? This was an absolutely fantastic technical match that saw both men try to out do each other in the various counters and holds, and SANADA barely walked out on top. Fantastic match.
Kota Ibushi vs. KENTA
Both men start with a lock up and Ibushi and KENTA make a clean break at the ropes, but KENTA tries to hit a massive strike. Kota ducks and goes for a kick, but KENTA ducks as well. KENTA hit a hard leg kick, and Ibushi walked it off.
Both men worked a very MMA style in the early portions with the striking. KENTA went for a go behind, but Ibushi floated over. KENTA then spun out into a front face lock. Both men stood up and KENTA slapped Ibushi right in the face.
Ibushi fired back with a slap that was even harder, and KENTA hit the mat! Ibushi then proceeded to kick and stomp on KENTA in brutal fashion. Ibushi hit a huge kick to the chest and sent KENTA to the corner. KENTA sent Ibushi to the apron and hit two huge kicks and second rope knee drop on Ibushi who was draped over the middle rope. KENTA kicked Ibushi in the head and chest a few times, but Ibushi woke up from it!
KENTA hit two more and drove Ibushi to the mat, but Ibushi kicked out. KENTA locked on a headlock, trying to ground Ibushi. Kota hit the ropes but KENTA hit him with a kitchen sink and then followed up with a killer PK that sent Ibushi crashing to the mat. Kevin Kelly called it clearly “KENTA hits you like you owe him money.” KENTA drove big knees to the back of Ibushi’s head and then teased a bare bone knee strike, but simply stepped over and likely kicked Ibushi with a back kick.
Ibushi and KENTA started to exchange forearm strikes and KENTA came out on top with a very hard kick to the chest. Ibushi kicked out at one, and KENTA immediately went back to hard kicks to the back. Ibushi kicked out at 2. Ibushi fought to his feet and managed to hit a huge dropkick that sent KENTA to the mat. Ibushi ran to the corner and floated over KENTA before hitting a powerslam and then a second rope moonsault, but KENTA kicked out.
Ibushi hit the ropes, but KENTA hit a big leg lariat. KENTA hit a series of lariats and asked Ibushi to get up before hitting a capture suplex that threw Ibushi across the ring. KENTA went to the top rope and hit a flying clothesline on Ibushi, but Ibushi kicked out. KENTA hit a kick to the face as Ibushi ran to the corner, and went to the middle rope, going for a tornado DDT. Ibushi reversed and hit a massive chop on KENTA.
Ibushi went for a superplex, but KENTA fought out, so Ibushi just smashed him with a strike that sent him to the apron. Ibushi went for his apron dead lift suplex, but KENTA fought out with some elbows. Ibushi then hit a Pele Kick that sent KENTA to the floor. Ibushi went for a tope, but KENTA countered with a knee that hit Ibushi in the knee and head. KENTA draped Ibushi on the barricade.
KENTA went to the apron and hit a flying double stomp onto Ibushi’s back! KENTA then hit a springboard dropkick, a Yakuza kick in the corner, and a stalling dropkick on Ibushi. KENTA went to the top rope and hit a killer flying stomp on Ibushi, but Ibushi kicked out. KENTA called for the finish and picked up Ibushi for the Go to Sleep, but Ibushi countered by grabbing the ropes and then floating out.
KENTA blocked a clothesline with a kick to the arm, but as KENTA spun around, Ibushi hit a huge clothesline. Ibushi hit a Golden Star Bomb, but KENTA kicked out. Ibushi pulled down his kneepad indicating that he’s going for the Kamigoye! KENTA countered and went for the Go to Sleep, but Ibushi countered into a crucifix pinfall attempt. KENTA kicked out and hit a massive flying knee!
KENTA and Ibushi both started exchanging forearms from the middle of the ring and each man struggled to get to their feet as the strike exchange happened. It broke down to kick attempts as Ibushi tried for a palm strike and KENTA kicked him in the head, and Ibushi went down! Ibushi kicked out at two, but KENTA picked up him and kicked him in the head three times.
KENTA picked him up for a fourth and hit it, but Ibushi somehow managed to kick out! KENTA took the kneepad down and called for the Go to Sleep! KENTA picked him up and hit a massive Go to Sleep and Ibushi is out! KENTA wins by pinfall!
Prediction: KENTA
Result: KENTA (1-0) (2 points)
Rating: **** (4 stars out of 5)
KENTA wanted to make a statement, working a stiff match here in the style that he was used to. He definitely did that. Beating Ibushi was a major statement, and this was a very physical and intense match. KENTA has started the tournament right. After the match, KENTA helped Ibushi to his feet and showed concerned that he was hurt. KENTA bowed to him and had the crowd cheer him as he left the ring. Ibushi was hurt, but he smiled at the match and hugged KENTA.
Kazuchika Okada (CHAOS) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
Okada and Tanahashi is one of the most legendary feuds in wrestling history, as two of the greatest of all time face off again. Their record against each other is 5-5-3, with all 3 draws happening in the G1.
Okada and Tanahashi started by locking up and Okada offered a cleanish break but Tanahashi hit an elbow and both men started through strikes to kill on another, but Okada sent Tana to the ropes and hit a big boot. Tana got right up dodged a dropkick. Okada went for the Rainmaker, but Tanahashi countered and went for a dragon suplex. Okada countered and both men stood off in a stalemate.
Tanahashi hit a forearm, slam, and a flying elbow. Tana hit another forearm and tried for an attack of the second rope, but Okada dropkicked him off the rope to the outside! Okada hit a DDT on the outside and then dropkicked in the ring before posing over Tana’s body to boos from the crowd.
Okada hit a series of back elbows in the corner on Tanahashi. Tanahashi fired back with forearms of his own and went for a kick, but Okada caught the foot and hit a dragon screw of his own! He took that from Tanahashi’s playbook. Okada hit a neck breaker and got a 2 count. Okada sent Tanahashi to the ropes and Tana went for a kick, but Okada caught him again. However, Tana fought out and Okada tried to kick him, so Tanahashi hit a dragon screw of his own!
Tanahashi hit the ropes and hit a flying forearm that sent Okada crashing to the mat. Tanahashi slammed Okada and then hit his flipping senton on Okada, but Okada kicked out. Okada hit a kick to Tanahashi’s face and then a DDT, but Tanahashi kicked out. Okada went for another neck breaker, but Tana got out. Tana ran at Okada, but Okada sent him to the apron. Tana then grabbed Okada’s leg and hit a dragon screw.
Back in the ring, Tanahashi ran at Okada, but Okada hit a flapjack and both men were down. Okada is clearly favouring his knee as he stood up, but he managed to hit an uppercut on Tanhashi. Tana hit a dropkick to the knee but managed to hit his neck breaker over the knee. Okada hit a flying elbow drop on Tanahashi and went for his Rainmaker pose to a great pop from the crowd.
After the crowd popped, Tanahashi rolled Okada up, got a near fall, hit a dragon screw again, and then locked on the Texas Cloverleaf, which is appropriate because they’re in Dallas. Okada made it to the ropes and hit another dragon screw. Okada rolled to ringside as we hit the 15- minute mark, and Tanahashi flew off the top rope to the floor with a High Fly Flow!
Okada went for a TKO, but Tanahashi hit Twist and Shout, Okada got up and hit a shotgun dropkick, Tana got up and hit a sling blade, but Okada hit his dropkick! Okada hit a tombstone and went for the Rainmaker, but Tana countered and hit a sling blade and went for a High Fly Flow and nailed Okada with it. Tana went for a second one, but Okada got his knees up, crushing Tanahashi!
Both men struggled to their feet and Okada went for a second tombstone, but Tanahashi put up a fight for it and tried to life Okada for one of his own. Okada wouldn’t give it up, and they both struggled over it until Tanahashi hit him with a series of hard strikes. Tana went for a slingblade, but Okada rolled him through with a backslide and went into a Rainmaker! Okada maintained wrist control and hit a second one before calling for a third!
Okada went for one more, but Tanahashi rolled him up and almost got a 3! Okada went for a kick, but Tanahashi blocked it and hit a dragon suplex and nearly pinned Okada! Tana went for another sling blade, but Okada countered with another Rainmaker attempt.
Tana countered again, missed a sling blade, but hit 3 huge strikes to finally break Okada’s wrist control! Tana went for a sling blade again, but Okada caught him and hit a tombstone and followed up with another Rainmaker! Okada gets the 1-2-3! Wow, what a great match.
Prediction: Kazuchika Okada
Result: Kazuchika Okada (1-0) (2 points)
Rating: ****3/4 (4.75 stars out of 5)
This was an incredible match. Okada and Tanahashi are the greatest of all time, and they delivered another classic match in their feud. While this wasn’t quite as good as some of their previous matches, that doesn’t mean it was incredible. This was a fantastic match that saw Okada finally defeat Tanahashi in the G1 for the first time!
Show Rating: ****1/2 (4.5 stars out of 5)
This was a fantastic show, top to bottom. It’s hard to pick which match was better between Ospreay/Archer and Okada/Tanahashi. Either one could lay claim to match of the night, easily. Okada, after the match, cut a promo about how this was the first G1 in America, and he promised that it wouldn’t be the last and that they would come back. He wanted to come back to Dallas as the G1 Climax winner and IWGP Heavyweight Champion, saying he wanted to be the first IWGP Heavyweight Champion to win the G1 since 2000.
Okada is the best wrestler alive today, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he does it. His promo was a good one here, with true babyface fire. This was the first time that Okada and Tanahashi faced off on American soil, and it was worth the wait.
Going forward, what will this G1 look like for Tana? Will he be able to make it to the finals one more time? Or is this finally the decline of the Ace that everyone has been predicting? If Okada wins the G1, who will he choose to face at Wrestle Kingdom? All of these questions will be answered in the coming weeks. I can’t wait for Night 2.