New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 29 Night 2: Results and Analysis
[Replay ‘G1 CLIMAX 29 Night 2’ on July 13th, 2019]
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) July 13, 2019
3RD MATCH: @rennarita_njpw , @njpw_shota & @tanahashi1_100 vs. @Karl_Fredericks , Clark Connors & @KENTAG2S!!
Watch on New Japan World▶︎https://t.co/Tj7UBJ4PjP #njpw #njpwworld #G1Climax #g129 pic.twitter.com/fj1K8hzbj4
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shota Umino, and Ren Narita vs KENTA, Clark Connors, and Karl Fredericks
In what has to be one of the most anticipated A Block matches, Tanahashi and KENTA will square off on July 14. Honestly, though, basically any match against the revived KENTA is highly anticipated. Can The Ace put an end to the excitement before it even has a chance to truly grow?
This served as the first appearance by Connors and Fredericks on the tour and brought about a unique clash between the NJPW Dojo and LA Dojo Young Lions. Working a much more aggressive style, the LA Dojo Boys and KENTA worked over the always energized Shota Umino.
Umino, who had the roof nearly blowing off of the joint in Dallas when he suplexed Jeff Cobb, was able to withstand the punishment before tagging in a fresh Tanahashi to go toe-to-toe with KENTA.
It seems as though Tana may have the greatest weapon to combat KENTA’s deadly kicks – the Dragon Screw Leg Whip. If Tana can continue to catch KENTA’s kicks on the 14th as he did here, he could stymie much of his offense.
After getting just a taste of what’s to come, Tana and KENTA tagged to Narita and Fredericks respectively. Fredericks caught Umino with a spinebuster into a super high-angle single-leg crab for the submission victory.
From this bout, it seems as though the NJPW Dojo trainees are a bit more refined than those from the LA Dojo. Their offense feels like it’s delivered with a bit more precision than the LA Dojo Young Lions. Connors and Fredericks will compete alongside KENTA and Tana on July 15 so we’ll see if it was first night jitters or a choice to work a more unhinged style.
[Replay ‘G1 CLIMAX 29 Night 2’ on July 13th, 2019]
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) July 13, 2019
4TH MATCH: @YOSHIHASHICHAOS & @rainmakerXokada vs. @suzuki_D_minoru & @zacksabrejr !!
Watch on New Japan World▶︎https://t.co/Tj7UBJ4PjP #njpw #njpwworld #G1Climax #g129 pic.twitter.com/Gq44twFAlF
Kazuchika Okada and YOSHI-HASHI vs Zack Sabre Jr and Minoru Suzuki
Highlighting the greatest crime of the 21st century – Minoru Suzuki’s exclusion from the G1 – comes a tag team match previewing Okada versus ZSJ. Sabre has been vocal about his plan to defeat Okada in the tournament to earn an IWGP Heavyweight Title shot regardless of whether he wins the G1 (but he’ll do that, too).
The Rainmaker and The Noodle Man started things off with a bit of a showcase of their skills to kick things off before making the tag to their partners. And then, as things go, Minoru Suzuki turned everything upside down. He pummeled YOSHI-HASHI in and around the ring before he and ZSJ began the double-teaming.
Coming off of a Suzuki PK, YOSHI-HASHI kicked out at one and popped up to his feet! Continuing my favorite trend of mid-2019, my sweet boy Tacos powered up and slugged it out with Suzuki. He held his ground and dropped Suzuki with a big lariat. Shine on, you crazy Headhunter!
Unfortunately, the rally only lasted so long for the perennial boob of CHAOS as Sabre tapped him out with a cross arm breaker. ZSJ picks up yet another victory over YOSHI-HASHI and sets his sights on Okada as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion and the RevPro British Heavyweight Champion collide on July 14.