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Post by DTP. on Jun 20, 2016 1:09:13 GMT -5
| NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING - PRESS RELEASE
Monday, July 13, 2015 - G1 Climax 25 |
Between the dates of July 20 and August 16, New Japan Pro Wrestling presents the twenty-fifth installment of an annual tournament that has been talk of the professional wrestling world, the G1 Climax tournament! It has roots going back to the infancy of the promotion's existence in 1974, the first, officially titled 'G1 Climax' was held in 1991, and has become a staple of the New Japan calendar ever since. Many wrestlers have competed, but only a select group of individuals have been crowned victorious. Names that have become a thing of legend, such as Masahiro Chono, Tatsumi Fujinami, Keiji Mutoh, Riki Choshu, Kensuke Sasaki and Shinya Hashimoto have held the throne, in addition to veterans of the modern era, such as Yuji Nagata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Manabu Nakanishi, Satoshi Kojima and Togi Makabe. However as time goes by, the sport evolves, and in recent years we have seen a power shift on to another generation. A generation with names such as Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shinsuke Nakamura and Hirooki Goto. More recent names, like Tetsuya Naito and Kazuchika Okada. On the 25th anniversary of the annual tournament, we could see another paradigm shift beginning. This year, twenty men take part. Divided into two blocks for ten men, these men will all compete against one another in their within block, with the highest scoring participant moving on to the finals of the tournament. The winner from each block will move on to the finals on August 16 in Ryogoku Kokugikan, where the winner becomes the winner of G1 Climax 25! The winner of the G1 Climax has, in recent years, been granted a briefcase in addition to the riches, the publicity and the fame of being the G1 Climax Champion. This briefcase symbolizes a future opportunity at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship - which they may cash in anytime within a year, however must be announced formally prior to the show they wish to challenge for. But with being the G1 Climax Champion comes a price: they must prove themselves still - by defending their briefcase when challenged by another competitor. In recent years, the winner of the G1 Climax has stuck to cashing in for the title shot at Wrestle Kingdom in the Tokyo Dome, New Japan's grandest stage - but could this be the year it doesn't go down on January 4? The tournament kicks off on July 20, running eighteen shows leading up to the finals on August 17 in Ryogoku Kokugikan. All shows will be accessible and available live on New Japan Pro Wrestling World, which can be acquired for the whole month, at only ¥999. Don't miss out on history being made with another historic tournament to come! A BLOCK | B BLOCK | A.J. Styles | Bad Luck Fale | Daisuke Sekimoto | Doc Gallows | Hiroshi Tanahashi | Hirooki Goto | Karl Anderson | Kazuchika Okada | Katsuyori Shibata | Roderick Strong | Kota Ibushi | Rush | Michael Elgin | Shinsuke Nakamura | Tetsuya Naito | Togi Makabe | Tomohiro Ishii | Toru Yano | Tomoaki Honma | Yuji Nagata |
Day 1 - Monday, July 20, 2015 - Hokkaido Sports Center - Sapparo, Hokkaido (A BLOCK)Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Karl Anderson Kota Ibushi vs Tetsuya Naito A.J. Styles vs Daisuke Sekimoto Katsuyori Shibata vs Tomoaki Honma Tomohiro Ishii vs Michael Elgin Day 2 - Thursday, July 23, 2015 - Twin Messe Shizuoka - Shizuoka, Shizuoka (B BLOCK)Hirooki Goto vs Shinsuke Nakamura Kazuchika Okada vs Bad Luck Fale Doc Gallows vs Togi Makabe Roderick Strong vs Rush Yuji Nagata vs Toru Yano Day 3 - Friday, July 24, 2015 - Kyoto City Budokan Center - Kyoto, Honshu (A)Karl Anderson vs Kota Ibushi A.J. Styles vs Tomoaki Honma Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tomohiro Ishii Katsuyori Shibata vs Michael Elgin Daisuke Sekimoto vs Tetsuya Naito Day 4 - Saturday, July 25, 2015 - Takamatsu City Gymnasium - Takamatsu, Kanagawa (B)Kazuchika Okada vs Togi Makabe (2pts, 1-1) Shinsuke Nakamura vs Bad Luck Fale Hirooki Goto vs Doc Gallows Roderick Strong vs Yuji Nagata Toru Yano vs Rush Day 5 - Sunday, July 26, 2015 - Hiroshima Green Arena - Hiroshima, Hiroshima (A)Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tetsuya Naito Katsuyori Shibata vs Tomohiro Ishii A.J. Styles vs Michael Elgin Daisuke Sekimoto vs Karl Anderson Kota Ibushi vs Tomoaki Honma Day 6 - Tuesday, July 28, 2015 - Beppu B-Con Plaza - Beppu, Oita (B)
Shinsuke Nakamura vs Yuji Nagata Roderick Strong vs Togi Makabe Kazuchika Okada vs Rush Doc Gallows vs Toru Yano Hirooki Goto vs Bad Luck Fale Day 7 - Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - Fukuoka International Center - Fukuoka, Fukuoka (A)A.J. Styles vs Kota Ibushi Daisuke Sekimoto vs Tomohiro Ishii Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Michael Elgin Tetsuya Naito vs Tomoaki Honma Katsuyori Shibata vs Karl Anderson Day 8 - Saturday, August 1, 2015 - Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium - Osaka, Osaka (B)Roderick Strong vs Kazuchika Okada Shinsuke Nakamura vs Doc Gallows Bad Luck Fale vs Yuji Nagata Hirooki Goto vs Rush Togi Makabe vs Toru Yano Day 9 - Sunday, August 2, 2015 - Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium - Nagoya, Aichi (A)
A.J. Styles vs Karl Anderson Daisuke Sekimoto vs Michael Elgin Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tomoaki Honma Katsuyori Shibata vs Tetsuya Naito Tomohiro Ishii vs Kota Ibushi Day 10 - Tuesday, August 4, 2015 - Sendai Sun Plaza - Sendai, Miyagi (B)
Roderick Strong vs Shinsuke Nakamura Hirooki Goto vs Kazuchika Okada Toru Yano vs Bad Luck Fale Togi Makabe vs Yuji Nagata Rush vs Doc Gallows Day 11 - Wednesday, August 5, 2015 - Iwate Industrial Bunka Center - Iwate, Iwate (A)
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kota Ibushi A.J. Styles vs Katsuyori Shibata Karl Anderson vs Tomoiro Ishii Tetsuya Naito vs Michael Elgin Daisuke Sekimoto vs Tomoaki Honma Day 12 - Friday, August 7, 2015 - Act City Hamamatsu - Hamamatsu, Shizuoka (B)
Hirooki Goto vs Roderick Strong Togi Makabe vs Shinsuke Nakamura Kazuchika Okada vs Toru Yano Bad Luck Fale vs Rush Doc Gallows vs Yuji Nagata Day 13 - Saturday, August 8, 2015 - Yokohama Gymnasium - Yokohama, Kanagawa (A)
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Katsuyori Shibata Daisuke Sekimoto vs Kota Ibushi A.J. Styles vs Tomohiro Ishii Tetsuya Naito vs Karl Anderson Tomoaki Honma vs Michael Elgin Day 14 - Sunday, August 9, 2015 - Korakuen Hall - Tokyo, Tokyo (B)Hirooki Goto vs Togi Makabe Kazuchika Okada vs Yuji Nagata Shinsuke Nakamura vs Rush Doc Gallows vs Bad Luck Fale Roderick Strong vs Toru Yano Day 15 - Tuesday, August 11, 2015 - Korakuen Hall - Tokyo, Tokyo (A)
Daisuke Sekimoto vs Hiroshi Tanahashi A.J. Styles vs Tetsuya Naito Tomohiro Ishii vs Tomoaki Honma Katsuyori Shibata vs Kota Ibushi Michael Elgin vs Karl Anderson Day 16 - Wednesday, August 12, 2015 - Korakuen Hall - Tokyo, Tokyo (B)
Kazuchika Okada vs Doc Gallows Hirooki Goto vs Yuji Nagata Shinsuke Nakamura vs Toru Yano Roderick Strong vs Bad Luck Fale Rush vs Togi Makabe Day 17 - Friday, August 14, 2015 - Ryogoku Kokugikan - Sumida, Tokyo (A)
A.J. Styles vs Hiroshi Tanahashi Daisuke Sekimoto vs Katsuyori Shibata Karl Anderson vs Tomoaki Honma Kota Ibushi vs Michael Elgin Tomohiro Ishii vs Tetsuya Naito Day 18 - Saturday, August 15, 2015 - Ryogoku Kokugikan - Sumida, Tokyo (B)
Kazuchika Okada vs Shinsuke Nakamura Togi Makabe vs Bad Luck Fale Roderick Strong vs Doc Gallows Yuji Nagata vs Rush Toru Yano vs Hirooki Goto Day 19 - Sunday, August 16, 2015 - Ryogoku Kokugikan - Sumida, Tokyo (FINALS) Block A Winner vs Block B Winner
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Post by DTP. on Jun 20, 2016 12:20:29 GMT -5
| WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER July 13, 2015 by Dave Meltzer |
The official G-1 Climax press release came out today, ahead of the beginning of the tournament next Monday night. As anticipated, the shows will be divided between the blocks, with one block going through an entire round of the round-robin format in one night. The other block will be used to fill out the undercard, as well as the homegrown set of New Japan talent that won't be participating in this year's tournament.
All shows will be broadcast on New Japan World as expected, with the price of approximately $9.50 for the whole month's duration of the tournament, spanning July 20 to August 16 - nineteen shows long, in total.
A block consists of A.J. Styles, Daisuke Sekimoto, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Karl Anderson, Katsuyori Shibata, Kota Ibushi, Michael Elgin, Tomoaki Honma and Tomohiro Ishii. The tournament matches for this block take place on 7/20 in Sapporo, 7/24 in Kyoto, 7/26 in Hiroshima, 7/29 in Fukuoka, 8/2 in Nagoya, 8/5 in Iwate, 8/8 in Yokohama, 8/11 in Korakuen Hall, and the finals on 8/14 in Sumo Hall.
B block has Bad Luck Fale, Doc Gallows, Hirooki Goto, Kazuchika Okada, Roderick Strong, Rush, Shinsuke Nakamura, Togi Makabe, Toru Yano and Yuji Nagata. Their tournaments matches take place on 7/23 in Shizuoka, 7/25 in Takamatsu, 7/28 in Oita, 8/1 in Osaka, 8/4 in Sendai, 8/7 in Act City, 8/9 and 8/12 in Korakuen Hall, and the finals of the block on 8/15 in Sumo Hall.
The finals take place in Sumo Hall on 8/16, which is expected to also feature another title match. It is usually one of the biggest shows of the year, so my guess is that we'll see some stars flown over for the final couple of nights in the least.
Tickets for a couple of the nights are still available, notably the final night of the A block in Sumo Hall. Perhaps it's ambitious to run the same venue three nights in a row (Korakuen Hall, Sumo Hall) in the same area, although it may be too early to tell. It could be that tickets sell out closer to the opening day of the show in those venues. The press release surely will help improve ticket sales.
The opening night on 7/20 in Sapporo is A block night. This show will have Rush & Kushida & Ryusuke Taguchi & Jay White & Yohei Komatsu vs Roderick Strong & Jushin Liger & Mascara Dorada & David Finlay & Juice Robinson, Togi Makabe & Captain New Japan vs Doc Gallows & Cody Hall, Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano vs Hirooki Goto & Yuji Nagata, Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi & Gedo vs Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi & Tama Tonga, Michael Elgin vs Tomohiro Ishii, Katsuyori Shibata vs Tomoaki Honma, A.J. Styles vs Daisuke Sekimoto, Tetsuya Naito vs Kota Ibushi, and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Karl Anderson.
With the G-1 approaching, Shinsuke Nakamura is still suffering from bothering back problems. This could be potentially risky, with nineteen dates of the tournament, and with Nakamura being one of the biggest names that New Japan has, could be needed to deliver some real classic matches, or will end up with a big role to play in the tournament's unfolding. Nakamura worked light in the New Japan shows this past weekend, but three weeks since he started having these problems, it's not enough time to heal up.
Juice Robinson will be joining New Japan for the G-1 tour. Robinson, the former CJ Parker of NXT fame, requested his release from the WWE two weeks ago, and has already had talks with the company. As of now, he is working on a pay-per-appearance deal, and it's probable that Jason Albert, who worked for New Japan during the mid-to-late 2000s, helped him get the deal. It's expected that Robinson will be working closely with the Young Lions, although officially not being listed as a Young Lion.
Sho Tanaka, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima will be missing from the G-1 tour as they continue working for Pro Wrestling Noah. For Tenzan and Kojima, it's weird, but they would rather work for Noah right now, where business is struggling and they are really wanting to rebuild the momentum.
It won't be of any surprise to see Mascara Dorada vs Tiger Mask in a title match for Dorada's CMLL World Welterweight Championship at some point during the G-1 tour, potentially even the finals.
Daichi Hashimoto has worked with New Japan to produce a special tribute show for Daichi's father, Shinya Hashimoto. Hashimoto was one of New Japan's biggest drawing cards, until he passed away on July 11, 2005. Being ten years since his death, Hashimoto and New Japan will co-promote the show tonight in Korakuen Hall, scheduled to be headlined by Yuji Nagata vs Daichi Hashimoto. It will also feature appearances from Keiji Mutoh, Masahiro Chono, Tadao Yasuda and Yutaka Yoshie, who were all a part of the company during Shinya's era. The show will be available on New Japan World sometime after its' conclusion.
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Post by DTP. on Jun 20, 2016 13:07:57 GMT -5
| CONSEJO MUNDIAL DE LUCHA LIBRE SPOTLIGHT |
SIN SALIDA 2015 Saturday, July 17, 2015 - Arena México - Mexico City, Mexico
With days to go until the G1 Climax begins in Mexico, partner company Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre held one of their biggest shows tonight in the legendary Arena México, the site of Sin Salida (Spanish for "No Escape"). The first six matches of the show were broadcast live on Terra Networks' home page for free, whilst the main event is set to air next week.
1. Ángel de Oro & Stuka Jr. def. La Comando Caribeño (Comandante Pierroth & Misterioso Jr.) in 16:07 two falls to one. Oro and Stuka teased dissension during the match.
5. Negro Casas & Los Hijos del Infierno (Ephesto & Mephisto) def. Dragon Lee & The Sky Team (Mistico & Valiente) in 21:30 two falls to one after La Casita.
6. Los Ingobernables (Marco Corleone, La Sombra & Rush) def. Atlantis, Diamente Azul & Volador Jr. in 15:00 two falls to one after La Sombra low blowed Volador. Rush attacked and unmasked Diamente Azul after the match. He also ripped off and threw Atlantis' mask into the crowd. Azul and Volador challenged La Sombra and Rush to a mask and hair vs mask and hair match in September for the Anniversary Show.
7. Último Guerrero def. Rey Escorpión in 22:01 two falls to one in a hair vs hair match after the reverse superplex.
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Post by DTP. on Jun 20, 2016 17:15:43 GMT -5
| PRO WRESTLING NOAH SPOTLIGHT |
SUMMER NAVIGATION - RAISING AN ARMY 15TH ANNIVERSARY Sunday, July 18, 2015 - Korakuen Hall - Bunkyō, Tokyo
The G1 Climax looks different this year in comparison to last year, due to the hole left by the disappearances of several talents that have been featured in New Japan in past years. These stars were competing for Pro Wrestling NOAH, the sister company of New Japan - where the talent will continue working whilst the G1 Climax continues. Among them includes Suzuki-gun, consisting of Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer, Davey Boy Smith Jr, Takashi iizuka, El Desperado, TAKA Michinoku and Taichi; Young Lion Sho Tanaka; and the team of TenCozy - Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan.
1. BRAVE (Naomichi Marufuji, Muhammad Yone & Katsuhiko Nakajima) & Captain NOAH def. TenCozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima), Genba Hirayanagi & Yoshinari Ogawa in 9:26 after the Shinsei Muscle Docking by Marufuji and Yone on Hirayanagi.
2. Manabu Nakanishi def. Quiet Storm in 5:15 after the Argentine Backbreaker Rack.
3. Suzuki-gun (Lance Archer, Davey Boy Smith Jr, Takashi Iizuka, El Desperado & Taichi) def. Choukibou-gun (Maybach Taniguchi, Kenoh, Haijime Ohara & Mitsuhiro Kitamiya) & Akitoshi Saito in 12:35 after the Killer Bomb by Archer and Smith Jr on Kitamiya.
4. Sho Tanaka def. Hitoshi Kumano in 9:01 in a Global Junior Heavyweight League War 2015 A Block match after the Boston crab.
5. Bengala def. TAKA Michinoku in 7:40 in a Global Junior Heavyweight League War 2015 B Block match after the 8/1.
8. Takashi Sugiura def. Shelton X Benjamin in 15:52 after the Olympic Qualifying slam.
9. Minoru Suzuki def. Yoshihiro Takayama in 27:10 after the Gotch-style Piledriver to retain the GHC Heavyweight Championship. The Killer Elite Squad, Takashi Iizuka and El Desperado interfered throughout to help Suzuki keep the title. Takashi Sugiura came out after the match to make the next challenge to Suzuki for the GHC Heavyweight Championship. ***STILL CHAMPION***
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Post by DTP. on Jun 20, 2016 20:34:14 GMT -5
| NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING - PRESS CONFERENCE
Saturday, July 18, 2015 - Pre-G1 Climax 25 Press Conference |
With the G1 Climax coming up in two days time, the wrestlers of this year's tournament blocks were gathered for a public appearance in front of the media and the television cameras, ready to promote the twenty-fifth anniversary of the show. In this, each participant was introduced with their theme music, and delivered short speeches over the podium for the press to hear. However, this wasn't all that was announced for the upcoming nineteen date tour of Japan: NJPW President and Bushiroad executive, Takaaki Kidani revealed that in the steps to take New Japan Pro Wrestling international, as part of an expansion initiative, they hope to take the organization public with an IPO in the near future. Not only this, but also through marketing the company overseas.
They revealed this under the guise of the IWGP Conception: a branched relationship with different promotions across the globe, including National Wrestling Alliance (USA), Global Force Wrestling (USA), Revolution Pro Wrestling (UK), Westside Xtreme Wrestling (Europe), Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (Mexico), and Ring of Honor (USA). Kidani noted that he hopes for more promotions to join the IWGP Conception over time, as they continue to work with other organizations and hope to establish great working agreements with them all.
Not only this, but to protect their future interests, they will be changing how they configure contracts, brand and character licensing overseas. They have already debuted an international version of New Japan Pro Wrestling World for non-Japanese subscribers to their service.
In notable comments from the G1 Climax portion of the press conference, a lot of the participants voiced their desire to win the twenty-fifth annual tournament, including A.J. Styles, who wanted to win the G1 Climax both as the first American to win the illustrious tournament, and also as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada talked similarly, but were more focused about winning the tournament to rid the Bullet Club away from the IWGP Heavyweight Championship ranks. Tanahashi voiced his intent to demand a rematch for Styles' title, whilst Okada spoke out about how he believed that he should be next in line. For Tanahashi, it's about keeping his spot in New Japan as the Ace, whilst for Okada, it's about being the G1 Climax victor for a second year in a row and cement himself as the prophetic Ace of the "New Era".
Karl Anderson meanwhile once again addressed the big elephant in the room, with Tanahashi and Okada both wanting to rid New Japan of the Bullet Club: but it will fail. Anderson furthered the idea of a conspiracy theory where they are best friends, and how he doesn't really care if that is true or not: they will both fail, and much like in 2012, Anderson will go on to be very successful - perhaps more successful than in previous years. Because this year, he's out to win. Kota Ibushi meanwhile talked being happy about being able to be in this year's tournament, given how he was injured last year and was forced to miss the tournament. But this year, with his luck - and he came super close in the New Japan Cup finals to winning - he wants to prove himself as an established heavyweight. And if that means falling down a few times? He's ready to get back on his feet again.
Rush spoke in Spanish during his speech, wearing a Los Ingobernables shirt alongside Tetsuya Naito. Rush said that in his first time appearance for New Japan Pro Wrestling, he's hearing a lot of bad things, particularly about his friend Naito. And then he comes here, and he's hearing about an expansion for New Japan, with the IWGP Conception. But that's not the only thing expanding - because by the end of this tournament, he and Naito wish to make Los Ingobernables a known and feared name. Naito meanwhile spoke about winning the 2013 G1 Climax. And how that's supposed to mean something, but it doesn't. Because the fans don't care. And why should he? He failed anyway. But the scene has changed now: and he's going to go through every barricade between him and the top of the company. Ahead of political manipulators like Hiroshi Tanahashi. Ahead of dumb Canadian imports like Michael Elgin. Ahead of little Japanese jumping beans like Kota Ibushi, who have no right to be in this tournament. And by the end of it, Naito claims, he will be King.
Shinsuke Nakamura discussed him losing his IWGP Intercontinental Championship rematch against Roderick Strong...so maybe it's time to go another route. Nakamura talked about making the title what it is today, and he knows when he faces Strong again in the B block of this tournament, it's going to be another big battle. But he's been IWGP Intercontinental Champion four times. It's also been a long time since he last held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. He's main evented the Tokyo Dome, but never as being the G1 Climax Champion. So why not this year? Nakamura joked, talking about the challenges he'll face this year. How exciting it is. But on the end of August 16, when Sumo Hall is covered in confetti, there will be one scream among many, and that will be: YeaOH! Roderick Strong on the contrary, commented on Nakamura's comments, the IWGP Intercontinental Champion confidently talking about how he has beaten Shinsuke Nakamura, one of New Japan's best, twice now. Who's next? Strong talked about how he's going to not only be IWGP Intercontinental Champion, but he will also win the G1 Climax, and he will also win the ROH World Champion. Strong arrogantly pondered aloud why he had never been in New Japan before - but that it doesn't matter. Because he'll take down anybody in his path.
Toru Yano merely approached the stand and began to talk about his DVDs, and was merely trying to sell them - that is until Bad Luck Fale decided that he had had enough, and approached the podium. But Fale didn't say anything, just stating that anybody on the other side of the ring was going to get crushed. He didn't even remove his shades.
Michael Elgin talked up about how grateful he was that New Japan invited him to take part in this year's tournament. Elgin talked about how he's been a fan of New Japan, and the Strong Style manifesto that surrounds the art of Japanese combat sport. Elgin said that if anybody had never seen him before, they were in for something special, because Big Mike is out to give it his all in the G1 Climax 25 tournament. Yuji Nagata, a former G1 Climax winner, discussed how much the scene had changed since his heyday. Nagata talked enthusiastically about the future, and how as the only 3rd Generation New Japan wrestler in this year's tournament: he wants to prove to the new guys that he still has it, and nothing's getting past him and getting away with it too. Tomohiro Ishii simply expressed his desire to win the G1 Climax, noting Hiroshi Tanahashi explicitly, telling Tanahashi that he doesn't know what will hit him. The profanity-laced Doc Gallows meanwhile kept it scarily comedic, explaining to the press that he will climax over all of the competition in his way.
Hirooki Goto and Katsuyori Shibata, as IWGP Tag Team Champions, kept it straight to the point: they were going to take out the competition. In singles, in tags, it's all the same. They are fighters, and they will fight until the very end. The members of Great Bash Heel, Daisuke Sekimoto, Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma appeared to take exception to this. Makabe actually called Meiyu Tag out to fight sometime - and that in their match, Goto would get taken down. Sekimoto meanwhile reinforced the recreation of Great Bash Heel: and that he heard Los Ingobernables talking about making an impact earlier - well what about Sekimoto himself, in his first G1 Climax? Daisuke talked being undefeated still, and now being the NEVER Openweight Champion. So who better than Daisuke? For Honma, it was more genuine and sincere. Honma emotionally expressed how he doesn't get the chance to win matches often, and that does hurt him some. Honma said he's been in the tournament before - but he has never won a tournament match. Honma said that he doesn't care about winning the tournament one bit. But if he can win one match, then that, he will be ecstatically pleased about.
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Post by DTP. on Jun 20, 2016 20:58:14 GMT -5
| NJPW G1 CLIMAX 25: DAY ONE Monday, July 20, 2015 - Hokkaido Sports Center - Sapporo, Hokkaido |
HIROSHI TANAHASHI (SEKIGUN) | G1 CLIMAX 25: A BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | KARL ANDERSON (BULLET CLUB) | | G1 CLIMAX 25: A BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | TETSUYA NAITO (LOS INGOBERNABLES) | A.J. STYLES (BULLET CLUB) | G1 CLIMAX 25: A BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | DAISUKE SEKIMOTO (G.B.H.) | KATSUYORI SHIBATA (SEKIGUN) | G1 CLIMAX 25: A BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | | | G1 CLIMAX 25: A BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | | BAD LUCK FALE (BULLET CLUB) YUJIRO TAKAHASHI (BULLET CLUB) TAMA TONGA (BULLET CLUB) | SPECIAL SIX MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | KAZUCHIKA OKADA (CHAOS) YOSHI-HASHI (CHAOS) GEDO (CHAOS) | SHINSUKE NAKAMURA (CHAOS) TORU YANO (CHAOS) | SPECIAL TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | HIROOKI GOTO (SEKIGUN) YUJI NAGATA (SEKIGUN) | TOGI MAKABE (G.B.H.) CAPTAIN NEW JAPAN (SEKIGUN)
| SPECIAL TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | DOC GALLOWS (BULLET CLUB) CODY HALL (BULLET CLUB) | RUSH (CMLL) RYUSUKE TAGUCHI (SEKIGUN) KUSHIDA (SEKIGUN) JAY WHITE YOHEI KOMATSU | SPECIAL TEN MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | RODERICK STRONG (ROH) JUSHIN LIGER (SEKIGUN) MÁSCARA DORADA (CMLL) DAVID FINLAY JUICE ROBINSON |
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Post by DTP. on Jun 30, 2016 18:50:12 GMT -5
| NJPW G1 CLIMAX 25: DAY ONE
Monday, July 20, 2015 - Hokkaido Sports Center - Sapporo, Hokkaido |
The opening signature aired, a presentation of New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2015. Following this came a video package that ran down the history of the G1 Climax - a tournament so gruelling and historic that many in professional wrestling all wish to compete, with the additional bonus of going on to challenge for an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match in the future. A rundown on the A block participants aired, which is what tonight is focused on - consisting of A.J. Styles, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, Tetsuya Naito, Daisuke Sekimoto, Karl Anderson, Tomohiro Ishii, Katsuyori Shibata, Tomoaki Honma and Michael Elgin, as well as their accolades and finishing moves. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the biggest tournament in New Japan history was finally here.
Kimihiko Ozaki was stood in the centre of the scene - Hokkaido Sports Center, the site of the opening night of G1 Climax 25. Ozaki welcomed the audience to the show, before revealing the line-up for the night's show:
- Rush, Ryusuke Taguchi, KUSHIDA, Jay White & Yohei Komatsu vs Roderick Strong, Héroes Voladores (Jushin Liger & Máscara Dorada), David Finlay & Juice Robinson
- Togi Makabe & Captain New Japan vs BULLET CLUB (Doc Gallows & Cody Hall)
- CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano) vs Hirooki Goto & Yuji Nagata
- BULLET CLUB (Bad Luck Fale, Yujiro Takahashi & Tama Tonga) vs CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada, YOSHI-HASHI & Gedo)
- Michael Elgin vs Tomohiro Ishii in a G1 Climax 25 A Block match
- Katsuyori Shibata vs Tomoaki Honma in a G1 Climax 25 A Block match
- A.J. Styles vs Daisuke Sekimoto in a G1 Climax 25 A Block match
- Kota Ibushi vs Tetsuya Naito in a G1 Climax 25 A Block match
- Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Karl Anderson in a G1 Climax 25 A Block match
1. Roderick Strong, Héroes Voladores (Jushin Liger & Máscara Dorada), David Finlay & Juice Robinson def. Rush, Ryusuke Taguchi, KUSHIDA, Jay White & Yohei Komatsu in 10:23 after the Strong Hold on Komatsu. Rush did not particularly get along with his teammates whilst wearing a Los Ingobernables shirt, but complied with teaming up with them.
2. BULLET CLUB (Doc Gallows & Cody Hall) def. Togi Makabe & Captain New Japan in 8:27 after the Hangman's Noose by Gallows on Captain New Japan. Makabe and Gallows traded blows before being separated after the match.
3. Hirooki Goto & Yuji Nagata def. CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano) in 11:13 after the Backdrop Hold by Nagata on Nakamura.
4. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada, YOSHI-HASHI & Gedo) def. BULLET CLUB (Bad Luck Fale, Yujiro Takahashi & Tama Tonga) in 13:29 after the Red Ink by Okada on Takahashi. Bad Luck Fale jumped Okada after the match and it took four Young Lions and referees to pull him away enough to leave.
- 15 MINUTE INTERMISSION -
5. G1 CLIMAX 25 A BLOCK MATCH MICHAEL ELGIN (0pts, 0-0) vs TOMOHIRO ISHII (0pts, 0-0) The G1 Climax was off with a bang, as we were to begin with some A block action between the debuting "Unbreakable" Michael Elgin, representing Ring of Honor in his first appearance in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and the former two-time NEVER Openweight Champion, "Stone Pitbull" Tomohiro Ishii, representing CHAOS. Considered a dream match by several analysts, this one was bound to be a barnburner, with the similar styles of hard-hitting striking, in addition to outstanding displays of pure strength between the two heavyweights. For Elgin, who is a high-rank performer from Ring of Honor, and in line for a future shot at the ROH World Championship held currently by Jay Lethal, it was about proving himself worthy to be in this tournament - but he was in stiff competition against his opponent tonight. Tomohiro Ishii, after suffering two defeats against Daisuke Sekimoto over the NEVER Openweight Championship, really needed to win against the newcomer from Canada in the opening night of the G1 Climax. Elgin's first G1, and Ishii's third, both men had a lot to prove in this match.
It was Canada vs Japan to kick things off, as Elgin proudly displayed with a flag over his shoulders whilst en route to the ring. Elgin, a former ROH World Champion, was getting ready to see what New Japan Pro Wrestling was all about, whilst Ishii, his first time competing against a member of the ROH roster in singles action, was about to see what Elgin was all about, with Elgin hoping to impress the Japanese crowd here in Sapporo. Ishii, as is his nature meanwhile, walked to the ring with a look of no-nonsense, wanting to get to the ring and get right into it with Elgin, who looked keen to get this match underway. A battle of two hosses taking place in the first match of G1 Climax 25, Elgin and Ishii faced off nose to nose just prior to the bell sounding.
The match officially got underway, with Michael Elgin and Tomohiro Ishii continuing to stare one another down, before backing away. Both men circled around the ring, with the "Stone Pitbull" trying to figure out parts of Elgin to attack in order to gain the upper hand. Elgin meanwhile looked to lock up with Ishii, who actually hesitated at least initially, before wildly swinging a forearm into the jaw of Elgin, who responded with a clubbing forearm of his own. Ishii came back with another wild swing, but Elgin cut him off with a right hand to the arm, then fired at Ishii with another forearm. Ishii however this time, began to absorb the strike attempts, and wished for more from Elgin in this exchange. Elgin came at Ishii with two forearms, one after another this time - but Tomohiro then fought back with three drilling forearms strikes, rocking Elgin! Ishii went for a lariat but Elgin ducked it, looking for a back elbow, but Ishii ducked. Ishii came off the ropes, just to eat another forearm from Elgin, and then another! Elgin wrestled Ishii into the ropes, prompting the break, and bringing a reaction of excitement from the Hokkaido Sports Center!
A unique match to start things off in the G1 Climax 25, as Michael Elgin broke away from Tomohiro Ishii. "Unbreakable" Michael Elgin was patient with the homegrown former two-time NEVER Openweight Champion, as Ishii looked bemused by Elgin's enthusiastic display in the early moments of this A block match. Elgin warned Ishii to bring his all, to which Tomohiro Ishii then came running at Elgin, and with that a second exchange of forearm strikes came out of both men, trading back and forth, before Ishii was able to get in a single uppercut that managed to rock Elgin - Elgin dazed now, and Ishii connected with three more forearms that knocked Elgin to a knee. Ishii tried to whip Elgin into the ropes, but Elgin stayed put, using his amazing power to rope Ishii in for a shoulder block - that Ishii absorbed! Ishii told Elgin to bring it now, as Elgin swung for a right hand but Ishii dodged - Ishii then striking Elgin with a lariat, and attempting to body slam Elgin just for Elgin to fall right on top of Ishii, a two count however, as Ishii squirmed to get out of the pin!
Tomohiro Ishii's efforts to gain control of this match had gone too well thus far, but at the same time, Elgin was struggling to combat Ishii too. Elgin reached his knees when Ishii came over, nailing Elgin with a big chop! Ishii followed with a forearm, and then another chop. Elgin however reached his feet, then came back by pushing Ishii off the ropes, swinging for a discus elbow - Ishii dodging it, then picking Elgin up, this time executing a body slam on Elgin successfully. Ishii brought Elgin up to his knees then kicked him in the chest, but Elgin once again came back up to his feet. Elgin, looking more serious now, grabbed Ishii and whipped him into the corner, then charged the corner looking for a corner hip attack - Ishii managing to dodge it, and a huge corner lariat followed, clotheslining the Canadian! Elgin came out a bit more groggy than before, Ishii then following suit with a huge powerslam on the Ring of Honor star! Ishii covered, but Elgin was not done yet.
Tomohiro Ishii picked Michael Elgin back up to his feet, delivering another forearm. Elgin however pushed Ishii away, then picked Ishii up in his arms, perhaps looking for a ribbreaker: the "Stone Pitbull" however breaking out of it, then axe handling the shoulder of Elgin. Ishii attempted a suplex on Elgin, who did not seem phased by this one bit. Ishii actually managed to pick Elgin up briefly, but the weight advantage was with Elgin on this one. Big Mike proceeded to deadlift Ishii up, bringing him down with a crashing suplex! Elgin could have gone for an opportune pin here, but chose against it, instead picking Ishii up and now lifting Ishii up for a second suplex. But instead this time, he picked him up and kept him there! Ishii was in the air for twenty seconds before Elgin completed the stalling suplex, and now Elgin was happy to make a pin attempt, only Ishii powered out before the three! This match was picking up now, with Elgin actually managing to wow the fans of New Japan Pro Wrestling in his first appearance. Ishii slowly began to move, as Elgin attempted a big boot, just for Ishii to sidestep it, then nailing Elgin with a big enzuigiri that rocked him. Ishii went over and followed up, picking Elgin up and German suplexing him down to the mat!
Tomohiro Ishii's chance was now, as he hit the ropes looking for the charging lariat to the back of Elgin's head, but Elgin managed to sidestep it, and Elgin got back up to his feet, ducking another lariat attempt made by Ishii: Elgin astonishingly deadlifting Ishii up into the air, and crashing him down with a German suplex! Elgin was not done yet though, choosing to pick Ishii up and deadlifting him again, perhaps for a second German - but Ishii managed to elbow strike his way free. Ishii followed up with another forearm: but Elgin rotated and knocked Ishii down to his hands and knees with a big haymaker punch! Elgin shook the pain off of his wrist, before picking Tomohiro up and attempting to get Ishii on his shoulders for a powerbomb - Ishii however, able to land on his feet behind Elgin. Elgin swung for a rolling elbow, but Ishii blocked it with his forearm. Ishii then nailed Elgin in the head with a rocking headbutt - Ishii following up with a powerslam attempt, but Elgin was able to turn it around, lifting Ishii up in his arms! Elgin took a few steps with Ishii in his arms, before connecting with a fallaway slam.
But Ishii immediately darted back up to his feet, then rushed Elgin with a big lariat! It stunned Elgin and caused him to drop to a knee, but Elgin immediately cut a headbutt attempt off with a big forearm to the cranium, then followed with a bigtime rolling elbow, knocking Ishii down to the mat! Elgin picked Ishii's limp head up and got him in position for a powerbomb, but Ishii was able to backdrop out of it. Ishii charged looking for a sliding lariat, connecting! Ishii covered, but Elgin kicked out at two! This match was to continue, and without a breath to waste, Ishii got back up to his feet, then picked Elgin up, dropping him on his head with a brainbuster! The "Stone Pitbull" should have gone for a cover here, but instead he wanted to go the full measure - lining Big Mike up, and connecting with a sliding lariat to the back of Elgin's skull: not once, but twice! Ishii hooked both legs, and Ishii was able to secure the victory!Winner: Tomohiro Ishii (2pts, 1-0) in 11:29 [****] "The Stone Pitbull" had finally overcome his loss streak in recent singles matches, his first win since Invasion Attack back in April - in the first match of G1 Climax 25! It will be a tough act to follow, as Michael Elgin gave this match his all, and won the affection of fans, this made clear as Elgin was helped out of the ring, high fiving several fans on the way out. Tomohiro Ishii, the former two-time NEVER Openweight Champion, was the first person of the tournament to score points - and looked to secure many more. Elgin will next to be seen against Katsuyori Shibata, whilst Tomohiro Ishii moves on to face Hiroshi Tanahashi, both on July 24 in Kyoto City.
6. G1 CLIMAX 25 A BLOCK MATCH KATSUYORI SHIBATA (0pts, 0-0) vs TOMOAKI HONMA (0pts, 0-0) It was two years ago during G1 Climax 23 when these two men last met in singles action. In the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, "the Wrestler" Katsuyori Shibata and the self-proclaimed master of the Kokeshi headbutt, Tomoaki Honma had an all-out war that culminated with Shibata winding up victorious, taking the win after a knockout decision was made, with Honma declared unconscious. In 2015, two years on, the landscape seemed all too similar. The exception with this being that both men were arguably more hard-working than before, and driven with more motivation. For "the Wrestler", Katsuyori Shibata won his first New Japan crown on January 4, and is currently a two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion alongside Hirooki Goto in the team Meiyu Tag. Shibata has that taste of success now, and he had to want to win the G1 Climax - and to prove a point, in his first match of the tournament tonight in Sapporo. As for Honma, he has said before that he wants nothing more than to win a G1 Climax match - the Great Bash Heel member having failed and lost every single tournament match in which he has competed in in the past. But to take on Shibata could be a risk too big for Honma to comprehend.
The match got underway with "the Wrestler" stepping towards Honma, almost expecting Honma to back off, but he did not. Instead, Honma stepped forward, and both men got into a clashing of heads staredown. Tensions were running high, with Honma immediately responding with a big forearm to the jaw of Shibata. The IWGP Tag Team Champion came back with a forearm of his own, and immediately both men got into a battle of forearm strikes. Neither man wanted to back down, as Honma came back with a chop, which initiated a battle of chops, both men trading them with Shibata soon becoming the aggressor. Shibata whipped Honma off the ropes, just for Honma to reverse it, and attempted a shoulder block, but Shibata kicked Honma in the chest, knocking Honma backwards into the ropes. Honma rebounded, looking for a charging Kokeshi, but Shibata managed to cut him off with a big kick to the chest! Tomoaki got back up on his knees, where Shibata then began to lay in chest kick after chest kick - three to be exact - before then taking a knee and beginning to strike Tomoaki with repeated forearm strikes, each catching Honma in the jaw! Shibata quickly decided to hit the ropes, looking for a charging dropkick, but Honma moved out of the way, then hit the ropes looking for a falling Kokeshi headbutt - getting nothing but the ring mat!
Tomoaki Honma was dazed from his first attempt at the Kokeshi in this match, whilst Katsuyori Shibata quickly tried to climb back up to his feet. Shibata got up and picked Honma up, clobbering him with an uppercut. Shibata looked for a second, but Honma blocked it with a forearm, then kicked Shibata in the gut. Honma backed up into the ropes, but Shibata met him with a knee to the gut, before executing a snap suplex, covering for a two count. Shibata looked at going after the arm of Honma immediately, but Honma built up to his feet, then chopping Shibata to break loose. Honma was trying to keep in this fight against the IWGP Tag Team Champion, but struggling - as demonstrated when Shibata suddenly delivered a big boot right to the jaw of Honma! Honma was powering up however, but Shibata managed to block a forearm smash by ducking and connecting with a Russian legsweep, a twistling leglock following, with Honma immediately trying to escape the hold - and Tomoaki was quick to reach the bottom rope.
But still, the damage had apparently been done to the leg of Tomoaki Honma, who held his knee in pain, having been twisted by Katsuyori Shibata. It had been all Shibata thus far, with Shibata showing his determination in his first match of the tournament. Shibata picked Honma up and whipped him into the corner - Shibata charging looking for a running dropkick - but Honma managed to move out of the way, and Honma came back with a body slam, Honma hitting the ropes and coming back with a falling Kokeshi headbutt - this time successfully! Honma got up, dazed, but picked Shibata up in a suplex, the stalling suplex connecting, and a cover attempt only got two, with Shibata still in the fight. Honma looked to pick Shibata up, but Shibata shoved him backwards, then clocked him with a big headbutt to the chest! It stunned Honma and sent him backwards into the corner, where Shibata came at Honma successfully this time with a corner dropkick! Shibata would not hesitate though, continuing with forearm smash after forearm smash into the face of Honma, as Honma settled down into the bottom corner. Shibata put his boot in the face of Honma, before immediately hitting the ropes and looking for another dropkick - getting nothing but corner pad!
Honma slowly got up to his feet, before charging and taking Shibata down with a big lariat! Shibata tried to reach his feet again whilst Honma hit the ropes, coming back with a bulldog that took Shibata down to the mat face first. Honma then started slapping his head again, hitting the ropes - but the falling Kokeshi a third time proved unsuccessful at this time! The audience was quite split, with not being sure who to root for, whilst Shibata got back up and picked Honma up, executing a death valley driver, the cover made, but Honma managed to kick out at two. The resiliency of Honma is one of the most exciting, unpredictable things about Honma, and that prompted a chant to break out in support of his. Shibata picked Honma up and this time looked at going for an Octopus stretch on Honma, being able to successfully lock it in whilst Honma struggled in the hold, trying to break out of it. Shibata wrenched on the arm, pulling it as far back as he could, whilst Honma kept trying to shift away from it, finally being able to make Shibata lose his balance and grip. Shibata swiftly kicked Honma in the head, before following with a kick to the chest. Shibata looked for a spinkick, but Honma dodged it, then executed a big German suplex tossing Shibata down!
Honma was once again on the rebound, climbing back up to a vertical basis and hitting the ropes - a charging Kokeshi headbutt taking Shibata down dazed! Honma covered, but Shibata was not through yet. Honma had the audience's full support by now, with his effort here actually perhaps being in position to put Shibata away and actually score his first win in the G1 Climax on the opening night of the 2015 edition. Honma slowly got back up to his feet, then picked Shibata up and body slammed him - Honma going up to the top rope, possibly looking for the top rope Kokeshi, and he got up to the top rope - just to fall and get nothing but mat! Honma was prone, having fell flat on his face from the top rope. Shibata slowly got up and picked Honma up to his knees, clobbering him with four straight elbows to the face. Shibata then got up and executed a single underhook suplex, before sitting Honma up and hitting the ropes - the Penalty Kick connecting! Shibata covered Honma, and Shibata picked up his first win in the tournament!Winner: Katsuyori Shibata (2pts, 1-0) in 11:32 [***½] Katsuyori Shibata was successful on the opening night of the G1 Climax tournament, with one match down and nine more to go. "The Wrestler"s hand was raised in victory, the IWGP Tag Team Championship in hand - of course, his partner Hirooki Goto, a part of the B block taking part against Shinsuke Nakamura on July 23. Tomoaki Honma meanwhile had failed in his first attempt to win a match, but still had a lot of opportunities left to get the win he chases.
7. G1 CLIMAX 25 A BLOCK MATCH A.J. STYLES (0pts, 0-0) vs DAISUKE SEKIMOTO (0pts, 0-0) It was a rare champion vs champion match, perhaps only made possible by the G1 Climax table format, as it was IWGP Heavyweight Champion A.J. Styles, the man who defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to defeat Hiroshi Tanahashi back on July 5 of this month, to claim his second title win in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Also his second G1 Climax appearance, "the Phenomenal One" appeared alone in this outing, much different than his title match appearance back at Dominion 7.5. One of the leaders of the Bullet Club faction, A.J. Styles put up a good display in last year's tournament - but in 2015, with the Bullet Club seeking world domination of the promotion, it was clear that Styles' motivation was to win the G1 Climax this year, as the first foreigner to do so in the twenty-fifth year of the tournament. On the contrary, Daisuke Sekimoto, a longtime member of the Japanese wrestling community, has competed in plenty of tournaments from his freelance days competing for promotions such as All Japan Pro Wrestling, Dramatic Dream Team and Big Japan Pro Wrestling, but after making his debut earlier this year, and having won and retained the NEVER Openweight Championship in subsequent appearances against Tomohiro Ishii earlier this summer, the "Muscle Monster" wanted to continue establishing himself and the newly improved Great Bash Heel faction. But the size difference was one thing, and that became clear upon this bout's beginning. Styles, whilst having a height advantage of two inches on the NEVER Openweight Champion, was outweighed by Sekimoto, who had the edge against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Both had a lot to prove against the other, and with the titles not necessarily involved yet having a presence, the Sapporo crowd were loud for this match.
The match got underway with A.J. Styles looking at Daisuke Sekimoto and actually talking trash to the silent "Muscle Monster", pointing at him and saying that he doesn't know what he's up against in this match. Sekimoto merely looked back smugly, and the bell sounded with Styles and Sekimoto circling the ring, ready to lock up. But Styles wanted things his way, offering a test of strength with Sekimoto - possibly a terrible idea against someone as muscular as the NEVER Openweight Champion. Styles was feeling Daisuke out, when he immediately went for a go-behind, just for Daisuke to back Styles up into the corner, prompting a break from the referee. Sekimoto backed off, then attempted a hip bump in the corner, but Styles had climbed up to the second rope, then jumped over Daisuke, as these men went back to square one. Styles this time went low for a takedown, but Sekimoto managed to step out of it, then picked Styles up, locking in a front facelock - Styles forcing Sekimoto back up into the ropes prompting yet another break from the referee.
Styles backed up, then kicked Sekimoto in the gut, attempting to club the back of Daisuke, but Daisuke managed to come in off the ropes, taking Styles down with a shoulder block! Sekimoto ran the ropes, whilst Styles dropped down, then got up and leapfrogged Sekimoto, coming back for a forearm - but Sekimoto immediately responded with one of his own, that stunned Styles and made him drop to a knee! Daisuke picked Styles up and drilled him with another one, before following with one more - but A.J. wisely kicked Daisuke in the knee. Styles continued with a second, then elbowed the back of Daisuke's head as he had dropped to a knee. The new IWGP Heavyweight Champion hit the ropes, looking for a running attack, but Sekimoto ducked it, then it the ropes looking for a lariat - Styles ducking that one, and A.J. came back with a flying lariat, knocking the NEVER Openweight Champion off his feet for the first time in this match. Styles slowly got back up to his feet and stomped at the knee of the "Muscle Monster". The Bullet Club member kept on it, hitting the ropes and executing a leaping knee drop right across the head of Sekimoto for a one count. The "Phenomenal One", a man that has faced many men bigger than him, was going to have to do a lot more with a man like Sekimoto.
A.J. Styles got back up to his feet and kicked Daisuke in the knee one more time. He went back to the forearms, delivering three clubbing forearms to the face, before kicking Sekimoto in the chest. He attempted to do it again, this aggressive style seeming to work - that is until Sekimoto caught the second boot, and rose back to his feet. He span A.J. around, then picked Styles up, executing a backdrop suplex! Sekimoto slowly got back up, his knee apparently bothering him by the way he approached A.J. for the next step of the strategy. The NEVER Openweight Champion picked A.J. up and clobbered him with another forearm, before sending A.J. off the ropes, looking for a lariat that missed. A.J. attempted to slingshot himself onto the apron, but Sekimoto decked him with a big forearm, knocking Styles down to the ringside floor! Sekimoto was in his prime element now, following Styles out to the floor, and nailing him with yet another forearm strike. Sekimoto sent A.J. into the ring post, before looking to follow with a splash against the post, but Styles managed to get out of the way. A.J. delivered a chop block to the leg of Sekimoto again, causing the big man to drop to a knee again. Styles then climbed up to the apron, looking for a Stylin' DDT - the apron moonsault landing into a reverse DDT position, but Sekimoto turned it around, and Daisuke executed a snap suplex right out on the ringside floor!
Sekimoto was slow to move, but got back up and rolled back inside as the referee began to count out the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. A win against the man with the top prize in New Japan Pro Wrestling could prove big to "Muscle Monster"s career, but Styles began to move, and finally rolled back inside to beat the count at the count of seventeen. Sekimoto was waiting for the "Phenomenal One", as he picked Styles up to his feet, looking for a brainbuster on Styles, but A.J. managed to slip out behind him. Styles kicked Sekimoto in the back of the leg, then managed to power Daisuke up and crash him down with a backdrop into a facebuster! A.J. Styles, covered Sekimoto - but Sekimoto kicked out before the three. Styles was breathing hard and heavy, looking for another possible way to put Daisuke away, as Sekimoto limped up to his feet. Styles sent Daisuke off the ropes, but Sekimoto came back looking for a lariat, Styles ducking it again - and then executing a big dropkick on the NEVER Openweight Champion! It rocked Sekimoto, but Daisuke powered back with a huge lariat, taking Styles down hard! Sekimoto covered Styles, but A.J. still kicked out at two, despite just having been hit by a truck! Sekimoto got up to his feet and attempted to suplex Styles, but his leg appeared to give out and he stumbled, as A.J. landed on the top rope. Styles went out to the apron as Sekimoto attempted to shrug off the pain in his leg - Styles then executing a springboard forearm smash, knocking Sekimoto down! Styles followed up, looking to go for a Styles Clash, but Sekimoto backdropped him out of it - Styles landing on his feet, and connecting with a big Pelé kick, knocking Daisuke down!
A.J. was running out of energy by this point, as he fell over by the corner, waiting as Daisuke Sekimoto recovered from the Pelé kick that came before it. The NEVER Openweight Champion managed to get up to his feet, as Styles sprung off the second turnbuckle into a moonsault - the Stylin' DDT connecting on Sekimoto! But it still wasn't enough to keep Sekimoto down, who kicked out before the three still! Something had to give, as the Sapporo crowd knew that they were witnessing something special here tonight on the opening night of G1 Climax 25! Champion against champion, only one man could win this, as A.J. got up to his feet first. He met Sekimoto on one knee, Styles executing two punches, followed by two slaps, and then a big spinning backfist striking the jaw of the "Muscle Monster", Styles looking to hit the ropes, but Sekimoto managed to cut him off with a standing lariat, followed up with the brainbuster! Sekimoto slowly limped back up to his feet, then left to go and climb up to the top rope - Sekimoto going airborn, a frog splash connecting on top of "the Phenomenal One"! Sekimoto laid prone, covering Styles, but A.J. would still not give in to the NEVER Openweight Champion! Beaten in singles competition, Sekimoto did not want to lose this match to A.J., but it was apparent that his leg was bothering him, having difficulty reaching his feet.
Sekimoto met A.J. on their feet, with Sekimoto drilling Styles with a forearm, and an open hand chop. A.J. responded with a defiant slap, before delivering a forearm of his own and a kick to the gut. Styles ducked a lariat attempt by Sekimoto, and then went for a springboard attempt, blocked as Sekimoto knocked him down with the shoulder block! Sekimoto picked A.J. up and attempted the German suplex, but Styles tried with all of his might to keep grounded. He clung onto the top rope and refused to let go - Sekimoto pulling and pulling away - and whilst tied up with the referee out of position, Styles low blowed Sekimoto! A.J. tried the Calf Killer, and rolled Sekimoto backwards into the hold - the Calf Killer applied on the weakened leg of the "Muscle Monster"! Styles had it locked in, and Sekimoto had no real way of breaking away from it. Daisuke defiantly shook his head at the referee's request to submit, but ultimately, it grew too much - and an outstanding ninety seconds passed before Sekimoto finally submitted - extremely close to the ropes!Winner: A.J. Styles (2pts, 1-0) in 14:16 [***¾] In a match of two champions, one had come out on top in an unlikely way, as "the Phenomenal One" A.J. Styles had successfully caused Daisuke Sekimoto his first singles loss thus far in New Japan Pro Wrestling! Styles, the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion, only two weeks into his second reign as champion, was victorious in the opening night of the G1 Climax tournament, and although it was a hard-fought bout, it was still tainted by the controversial tactic in the low blow used late in the match! Daisuke Sekimoto favored his leg, having withstood the pain for an amazing ninety seconds before submitting, next to be seen facing Tetsuya Naito - whilst Styles walked out exhausted, his hand raised in victory, next set to face Tomoaki Honma on July 24 in Kyoto.
8. G1 CLIMAX 25 A BLOCK MATCH KOTA IBUSHI (0pts, 0-0) vs TETSUYA NAITO (0pts, 0-0) The man once known as the "Stardust☆Genius" Tetsuya Naito used to be a favourite of the New Japan audience. Naito, the same man that grew up as part of NO LIMIT alongside Yujiro Takahashi, rose up through to the heavyweight ranks, a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, IWGP Tag Team Champion and NEVER Openweight Champion in his own right. But after winning the G1 Climax in 2013, it all turned around for Naito. Fans started repelling him, and Naito would go on to lose his opportunity, not only at main eventing Wrestle Kingdom 8 in the Tokyo Dome, but also losing his match for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship when he fell to Kazuchika Okada. It's been similar this year, as Naito lost to A.J. Styles at Wrestle Kingdom on January 4, and then Hiroshi Tanahashi at the New Beginning; Kota Ibushi himself, in the semi-finals of the New Japan Cup, and Shinsuke Nakamura in a match for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship at Wrestling Dontaku. And so, Naito decided to find himself in Mexico, and found himself as a member of Los Ingobernables - a reckless group of wrestlers, including Rush, who makes his New Japan debut in the B Block of this year's G1 Climax. Since coming back just before Dominion, Naito has become a new man, disrespectful to everybody he comes across - teammates, like Kota Ibushi, and even authority figures, such as referee Red Shoes Unno.
Tonight came the next step for Tetsuya Naito, who walked down the aisleway extremely slowly, dressed in a black suit with a hooded skull mask covering his face. Through the mask's eye holes looked a vacant, nonchalent Naito, who was taking his sweet time getting there. Upon arriving in the ring, Naito removed his suit, revealing his ring attire - the back of which now read "El Ingobernable". Naito then scared off the referee, awaiting the arrival of Kota Ibushi. The "Golden Star" looked extremely determined, making his way to the ring for the first time in the G1 Climax since 2013 - Ibushi having been forced to miss the G1 last year due to an injury. But Ibushi came to the ring to a warmer reception, and looked extremely motivated to go after Naito immediately, after Naito had attacked Ibushi back at Dominion. The referee got in the way, but then Naito came in with a big overhead punch to the head of Ibushi. This jumpstarted the bell, as Naito then followed with a big forearm to the jaw of Ibushi. "El Ingobernable" whipped Ibushi off the ropes as if he had never seen his work before, and Ibushi slid right between the legs of Naito, Ibushi then dodging an attack from Naito with a leapfrog, and the DDT Pro-Wrestling star took Naito down with a side headlock takedown!
Ibushi kept Naito held down in the side headlock, that is until Naito suddenly worked his way back up, then sent Ibushi off the ropes, and right into a sudden dropkick that took Kota down to the mat. Naito was now in control of Ibushi, who tried to get back up. Naito meanwhile, drilled Kota with a forearm smash across the back of the head, then covered his head with his knee; Naito taunting the Sapporo crowd as his knee squashed Kota's face against the mat. Naito covered Ibushi, but only for a one count, as Kota managed to squirm free. Naito picked Ibushi up and snapmared him into a seating position, then rushed the ropes looking for a dropkick, but Ibushi managed to dodge it, and the "Golden Star" got up and nailed Tetsuya Naito with a right hand, a palm strike, and then a spinning kick to the gut! Ibushi sent Naito off the ropes, but Tetsuya nonchalently rammed into him with a shoulder block. Neither man budged, and Kota tried a shoulder block of his own, but Naito instead mocked him, telling him to bring it. Kota went to hit the ropes again, but Naito suddenly attacked him with a kick to the gut and several forearms, tossing Ibushi through the ropes to the floor. With Kota on the outside, "El Ingobernable" looked to go for a topé perhaps, but instead sprung off the ropes, then rolled forward into a relaxed position!
Naito was drawing the ire of the fans in the Hokkaido Sports Center now, getting under their skin by fighting a tranquil style, as opposed to the hard-working style they are used to. Ibushi was up on his feet and saw Naito laid there, climbing back in immediately and going after Naito, who decided to instead back up against the ropes, where he looked for a break. Ibushi neglected to let Naito get a breather, as he kicked Naito in the gut, then whipped him off the ropes, then dropped down, leapfrogged over Naito, and caught him with a big chest kick, taking Naito down for a near fall. Ibushi wanted to start strong against the winner of G1 Climax 23, two years on from it, in Ibushi's second ever appearance in the tournament. Naito recovered and got up to his knees, where Ibushi now looked to connect with several kicks to the chest of Naito. He executed him with one, and then another, and a third - but Naito came back, catching Ibushi off-guard and connected with an enzuigiri stunning Ibushi! Naito hit the ropes, connecting with a standing somersault senton on Ibushi, but only for two. The momentum was swaying both ways thus far, with one man getting ahead of the other suddenly, the pace of the match repeatedly changing.
Naito looked around with a twisted smirk on his face, pulling the hair of Kota Ibushi to bring the "Golden Star" up to his feet, before whipping him into the corner. Naito charged at him with a dropkick, landing on the apron and attempting to sweep the feet out from under Kota, but Ibushi came back with a high kick that knocked Naito silly. Naito tried to reach in for a shoulder thrust, but Naito blocked it, then nailed Ibushi with a forearm smash. Naito looked to sweep the feet of Ibushi again, but Ibushi came back with a right hand, then sprung up to the top rope, landed on the shoulders of Naito on the apron, and a hurricanrana sent both men crashing down to the floor! Nobody moved momentarily as Sapporo took the action in, but Ibushi was up to his feet first, as he picked Naito up and sent him reeling into the ringside barriers. Ibushi now in control, charged at Naito just to get backdropped over the barrier into the first row, as Ibushi landed on his feet. Naito cut Kota's effort off with a back elbow, before jumping the barrier - this fight emerging into the crowd now.
Naito grabbed an empty plastic chair and hurled it at Kota, who tossed it back to Naito, and then connected with a high kick, knocking the chair right into Naito's head, taking him down! "El Ingobernable" was in trouble now, as Ibushi struggled back into the ringside area, and then the ring, as the referee began to count Naito out now. Naito crawled around the crowd area, with the count increasing as he did so, before he was finally able to climb over the barrier into the ringside area at the count of twelve. Naito got up, but Kota saw him coming, the "Golden Star" astonishingly not wasting a second for redemption - slingshotting over the corner onto the second turnbuckle on the apron, a moonsault executed right on top of Tetsuya Naito! "El Ingobernable" was still down, whilst Ibushi then picked Naito up and dragged his body back into the ring. Ibushi climbed inside and covered Naito, but only for a near fall! Ibushi was determined, and Naito appeared to be not doing himself any favors, taking everything Kota had to offer.
Ibushi looked to pick Naito up to his feet for a German suplex now, but Naito was able to dead weight Ibushi, and whilst the referee was out of position, executed the "Golden Star" with a big low blow! Naito swiftly came back now, sending Ibushi into the corner and executing the corner dropkick into a slingshot dropkick in the bottom corner successfully this time - but Naito, instead of attempting a cover like he should have, simply mocked Kota Ibushi, and the audience disapproved of it. Tetsuya Naito picked Ibushi up to his feet, picking him up for a body slam before dropping him right across his knee spine-first! Naito, not wasting a moment, looked to finish Ibushi off with Gloria, but Ibushi managed to fight his way out of it with some back elbow, but a missed spinkick later and Naito had successfully kicked Ibushi in the spine, knocking him to his knees. In the mean time, Naito went up to the top rope, coming off with a big missile dropkick to the back, just trying to go to work on the spine of the "Golden Star"!
This new Naito was a lot more methodical than before, but it appeared to be working, as Ibushi held his back - the pace of the match having slowed down with Kota's injured back, and Naito now looked to pick Ibushi up, deadlifting him onto the top rope. Tetsuya Naito clobbered Ibushi with several forearms for good measure, as Naito was looking to go for a top rope hurricanrana, but Ibushi slapped the taste right out of Naito's mouth! Ibushi with a thrust kick that knocked Naito right down to the mat, and Ibushi was now on the top rope recovering from the attacks - Ibushi looked for a top rope moonsault, but Naito had rolled away from him - Ibushi landing on his feet, and then following with a second moonsault - this time standing, and this time executed on Naito! Ibushi got up and got a waistlock on Naito, looking for a German suplex, but Naito was trying to fight him off. Ibushi instead rolled both men backwards, then looked at a German suplex, just for Naito to still break his way out of it. Naito went behind on Ibushi and rolled him up into a big kick to the jaw! Naito now looked to follow up, executing a Dragon suplex with the bridge, but Kota was still able to kick out before the three!
It was a war of great proportion here between Kota Ibushi and someone he used to consider an ally, now a changed man, in the bitter, "El Ingobernable" Tetsuya Naito - a changed man from his time in Mexico last month. Naito aggressively stomped on the back of Ibushi, before picking him up and looking for a corner-assisted tornado DDT, but Kota shoved Naito away, then ducked a lariat - Kota now with a German suplex on Naito! Ibushi was holding his back when reaching his feet, but looked for the powerbomb on Naito, but his back seemed to be hurting too much to lift him up for the elevated powerbomb - Naito turning it into a hurricanrana, before looking for a lariat that Ibushi ducked, and Ibushi nailed Naito with a lariat of his own, knocking Tetsuya down! Naito was down, and Kota went up to the top rope, potentially for the Golden Star Press - which he got up, and looked to connect with - but Naito managed to get his knees up, Ibushi crashing down hard across the knees! Kota was hurting, and Naito quickly got up to his feet, then executed a standing Shiranui on Kota Ibushi - for the victory! Winner: Tetsuya Naito (2pts, 1-0) in 15:19 [****] "El Ingobernable" was successful in the first night of G1 Climax 25, the winner of the 2013 tournament, Tetsuya Naito grew up to his feet and had his hand raised by the referee, before Naito suddenly shoved him down, and went right back to a hurting Kota Ibushi! Naito stomped away at him before picking Kota up - lifting Kota up into the air and dropping him in a low blow kick! Naito was out of control, as he then shoved down the referee again, before leaving recklessly, whilst the Sapporo crowd booed, unsure what had happened for Naito to evolve into this performer before them. Leaving the ring, Naito simply picked up his black hat, the words "Los Ingobernables" etched upon it, placed it on his head, and then tipped it to the chaos that he had just caused in the ring tonight in Hokkaido Sports Center. Ibushi was next in action against Karl Anderson, whilst Tetsuya Naito was moving on to face Daisuke Sekimoto on July 24 in Kyoto.
9. G1 CLIMAX 25 A BLOCK MATCH HIROSHI TANAHASHI (0pts, 0-0) vs KARL ANDERSON w/Cody Hall (0pts, 0-0) It was main event time for the opening night of the twenty-fifth annual G1 Climax tournament in Sapporo, the Hokkaido Sports Center prepared for a rematch from Invasion Attack between the "Once in a Century Talent" Hiroshi Tanahashi and "the Machine Gun" Karl Anderson. But unlike in April when these two men faced last, this one looked remarkably different. Anderson, the veteran gaijin in New Japan Pro Wrestling, since founding the Bullet Club alongside Prince Devitt, Bad Luck Fale and Tama Tonga in 2013, has had it out for Hiroshi Tanahashi, and this hit the surface after "the Machine Gun" won the New Japan Cup back in March after defeating YOSHI-HASHI, Katsuyori Shibata, Kazuchika Okada and Kota Ibushi - granting him a shot at Tanahashi's IWGP Heavyweight Championship. He fell in defeat due to help from Okada, who he went on to rival in subsequent matches - whereas A.J. Styles challenged Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and won the title, with thanks to Anderson back at Dominion earlier this month. As far as the G1 Climax goes, Tanahashi has only won one tournament out of thirteen attempts in the year 2007, but has repeatedly shown up in the finals before. On the contrary, no foreign star has ever won the G1 Climax tournament - but "the Machine Gun" Karl Anderson has come close, having reached the G1 finals in 2012, falling in defeat to previous rival, Kazuchika Okada.
Hiroshi Tanahashi looked bare walking down to the ring, for the first singles match since September of last year, without the IWGP Heavyweight Championship around his waist, after losing it to A.J. Styles on July 5. The "Once in a Century Talent" of course had to be excited to walk into this one looking to win the tournament, as well as put to pasture the "Machine Gun" in the process. Karl Anderson debuted a unique and eerie theme song to walk to the ring to for this match, not alone by any means - as Anderson marched to the ring with the Bullet Club's "young boy" Cody Hall accompanying him, waving a Bullet Club flag highly and mightily. Both men faced off prior to the bell, with the bell eventually sounding, and the fans in Sapporo strongly supporting Tanahashi in his match against Karl Anderson - both men's first bout of the tournament, and therefore important - with Tanahashi hoping to get some revenge on Anderson for being part of the reason he is no longer IWGP Heavyweight Champion - and Anderson, looking to recapture some momentum in G1 matches; especially after losing to Kazuchika Okada at Dominion.
Both men circled the ring with one another, with Karl Anderson looked to get into a test of strength with Hiroshi, and Tanahashi accepted the offer - both men clashing chests, looking for a weakness in the other man, as their arms warred with one another. Tanahashi attempted to overthrow Anderson, but Anderson took Tanahashi down to the mat instead; Tanahashi mounting Hiroshi and looking for a quick pin attempt but only for one, as Tanahashi got his shoulder off the mat. Hiroshi worked his way back up to his feet, then backed Anderson backwards into the corner, forcing the break at this time. Hiroshi stepped backwards out of the corner, offering Anderson to get back into it, and this time it was on in a lock-up, with Anderson quickly taking Tanahashi down with a snapmare, then locking in an armlock. Anderson hoped to keep it locked in, until Hiroshi reversed into a hammerlock, transitioning it into a wristlock, as Anderson flinched every time pressure was applied, and the wrist was wrenched. But Karl used some agility to roll out of it and pick the leg out from under Tanahashi. Anderson knelt on the shinbone of Tanahashi, then attempted to pull on the foot, but Tanahashi was able to shoo him off, causing a standoff on their feet.
Sapporo was still behind Tanahashi, perhaps less than before, as Anderson looked around. Tanahashi decided to go for a test of strength attempt, wanting the Greco-Roman knucklelock, and Anderson accepted it, locking in one knuckle, followed slowly by the other...until he kicked Tanahashi in the gut! Anderson whipped Hiroshi off the ropes, but Tanahashi hung onto them, and then Anderson charged Tanahashi; Hiroshi dodging an inbound "Machine Gun" and then hitting the ropes - Tanahashi colliding with a flying forearm to take Karl down! Tanahashi executed an armdrag followed up with the armlock applied, trying to incorrectly bend the limb of Anderson. Tanahashi mixed it up into a headscissors, holding Anderson in place on the mat - but Karl was able to nip out of it, then rolling out to the ringside floor hastily. Anderson had perhaps had enough of linking up with Tanahashi, and went over to congregate with Cody Hall on the floor. The two chatted, whilst Tanahashi saw his chance and jumped over the top rope to the apron - climbing up top - but Anderson pushed Cody Hall in the way and ran away from a potential top rope attack from Hiroshi.
Tanahashi and Cody Hall exchanged words, before Karl Anderson then climbed back inside and charged, running at Hiroshi with a big boot knocking him off the top! "The Machine Gun" was smart to Tanahashi's ideas, as Anderson then picked Tanahashi off the top rope with a fireman's carry, slamming him down to the mat and stomping on him. Anderson asked Tanahashi who he was without the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, then stomped on the shoulder of Hiroshi's. Anderson tried another quick cover attempt, but it was only for two as Hiroshi defiantly kicked out quickly. Anderson decided to instead go for a chinlock on Tanahashi, keeping it locked in. Tanahashi began to squirm, looking for a way out of the hold, and actually managed to reach his feet - but Anderson kicked him in the gut and released the hold! Karl Anderson the aggressor, then whipped Hiroshi off the ropes and connected with an incoming knee to the gut, a mat slam taking Hiroshi down again! Anderson, with a brute-ish in-ring style, was taking Hiroshi to school now, as he picked up the arm of the "Once in a Century Talent", and wrenched it right across his shoulder. Anderson connected with a back elbow that sent Tanahashi into the corner - where Anderson looked at going for a big boot: but Hiroshi dodged it, then delivered a body slam. Tanahashi climbed up to the second rope and connected with a somersault senton - the cover; but Anderson was out at two!
Cody Hall was talking trash at ringside, and it caught the ire of Tanahashi again: the loudmouthed second generation Young Lion distracted Hiroshi to where Tanahashi decided he had had enough - slipping through the ropes with a baseball slide - then skinning the cat on his way back in: but right into a dropkick from Anderson! Tanahashi down again, the result of another distraction from Cody Hall on the floor - Anderson began to stomp away at Tanahashi, even impersonating Stone Cold Steve Austin as he did so. "The Machine Gun" was back in control, and he made a point at stomping on the shoulder of Tanahashi, trying to weaken a limb that has been known to be bothering Hiroshi for a while now. Anderson picked the arm and connected with a hip attack across it, then kicked it again for good measure. Karl Anderson continued to go on the attack, picking Tanahashi up and looking for a death valley driver, but Tanahashi was able to slip out of it, then sent Anderson into the ropes for a big back body drop on the Bullet Club founder! Tanahashi levelled Anderson with an uppercut, then ran over to the corner for a diving crossbody High Fly Flow attempt - Anderson however able to roll it through, and Anderson lifted Tanahashi up deadweight into an over-shoulder shoulderbreaker! Anderson covered, but Tanahashi was still able to kick out valiantly.
"The Machine Gun" had definitely noted a target of weakness on the body of his opponent, whilst the Ace of New Japan was struggling to keep in there. Anderson rained down with several forearms connecting with the face of Tanahashi, before covering again - but only for a near fall. Karl got up and kicked Hiroshi in the arm again, before picking the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion up to his feet and sending him off the ropes, looking to hopefully go for the spinebuster, but instead Anderson caught him in a flapjack, and executed a stungun, Tanahashi's neck landing right across the top rope! Anderson followed with a charging step-up big boot to the jaw of Tanahashi, covering Hiroshi again - but again, only getting two at this time. Anderson looked back for the arm, applying a Fujiwara armbar on Tanahashi, as Hiroshi struggled trying to withstand the pain and not quitting. Anderson had it fully applied, and Tanahashi was looking for ways to reach the bottom rope - Anderson however pulling more and more, applying even more pressure as he went. Anderson kept it applied, but Tanahashi was able to turn over, actually covering Anderson for a two count - causing Karl to freak out and release the hold. It appeared all okay for Hiroshi initially, but Karl then picked up the arm of Tanahashi looking for more arm-based offense - Tanahashi able to rope Anderson in for a Sling Blade!
Tanahashi went down holding his shoulder, whilst Karl Anderson remained on the mat himself: Cody Hall meanwhile slammed his hands against the mat, hoping to rally Anderson back into this match. Hiroshi used one arm to get back up to his feet whilst Anderson stumbled up, looking for a corner big boot on Tanahashi - but Tanahashi took the foot of Anderson, then roped him down with a dragon screw! Anderson went down, but Hiroshi wasn't done, then following immediately with a dragon screw whilst Anderson was down on the mat! Tanahashi picked Karl up and attempted to go for a Dragon suplex, but Anderson blocked it out: Tanahashi however, executing a straightjacket suplex bridged, but Anderson powered out at two! Hiroshi, a bad shoulder of not, did not waste any time going up to the top rope, potentially looking for a High Fly Flow on Anderson, who was down on the mat. But Cody Hall ran over to the floor near Tanahashi, and Hiroshi was at crossroads, not sure which way to dive! Tanahashi ultimately shrugged his good shoulder, climbed up and came off with a High Fly Flow crossbody, landing on the floor on top of the big six-foot-eight Cody Hall!
Perhaps a bad move, as Karl Anderson slowly got back up to his feet, Hiroshi Tanahashi meanwhile having taken his eye off of the game for too long. Upon returning to the ring, Anderson proved this when he caught an unsuspecting Tanahashi off-guard with a spinebuster! The impact had harmed Tanahashi's shoulder, as Anderson then hit the ropes, executing a standing senton: the cover however, only getting a two count at this time. Anderson favored his knee as he got up to his feet, his leg noticeably hurting him as well, as Anderson signalled that he wanted to end this one with the Gun Stun, awaiting Tanahashi to reach his feet - and he went in looking for it, but Tanahashi caught Anderson in mid-air, then turned it into a shinbreaker! Anderson favored his leg, which Tanahashi made worse with a low leg-targeted dropkick, and Tanahashi then went over and looked to apply the Cloverleaf on Anderson! Tanahashi got Anderson turned over, as Karl tried his best to find a way out of the hold. Tanahashi was not letting Anderson up here, digging his knee right into the back of "the Machine Gun" to increase the pressure - Anderson on the verge of tapping out, until Cody Hall suddenly got on the apron: but Tanahashi was there to knock him down with a huge forearm!
Tanahashi turned around to receive a big uppercut from Anderson, who tried to protect his leg from the "Once in a Century Talent", but Tanahashi came back with a big forearm! Hiroshi connected with another one until Anderson ducked a third, then kicked Tanahashi in the gut, looking for a big boot off the ropes - Tanahashi getting rocked...but a big forearm connected on the rebound! Anderson punched Tanahashi in the head, but Hiroshi got fired up, then came back with a forearm, a body blow, and a big uppercut, rocking Anderson! Karl fell into the ropes, but came back to lift Tanahashi onto his shoulders - Anderson connecting with the Bernard Driver! Karl then immediately picked Tanahashi up, looking for a Gun Stun: Tanahashi however, using the ropes for assistance, able to block the fall! Tanahashi hit the ropes and executed a Sling Blade again, before dashing up to the top rope - the High Fly Flow connecting! Tanahashi covered, and that was it for Anderson on opening night of the G1!Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi (2pts, 1-0) in 21:42 [***¾] What could have been a disastrous start to the G1 Climax for the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Hiroshi Tanahashi had come out on top in this encounter with "the Machine Gun" Karl Anderson, here in Sapporo! Anderson rolled out into the waiting arms of Cody Hall, both men having failed in their task of taking down the Ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling in the first night of G1 Climax 25. But for Tanahashi had wound up victorious, the "Once in a Century Talent" on a path to redemption in his belief. Anderson would live to fight another day against his New Japan Cup finals foe Kota Ibushi, whilst Tanahashi would next meet Tomohiro Ishii on July 24 in Kyoto City.
Tanahashi secured a microphone, thanking the fans for coming out tonight. Tanahashi spoke truthfully about how upset he was when he lost the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to A.J. Styles. And Hiroshi said he felt like he had let New Japan Pro Wrestling down - from the veterans that have been here for years, to the younger guys in the back, and even to foreign stars that are not aligned with the Bullet Club. Management too, but nothing stung more than to let down the greatest fans in the world, like those that come to see him wrestle. Tanahashi stated that he had only ever won one G1 Climax in his career, and that it's been eight years since then. Which is why, his aim this year is to win the G1, and rightfully get back his IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Tanahashi closed with air-guitar, sending the fans in the Hokkaido Sports Center home happy.
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Post by DTP. on Jun 30, 2016 20:29:46 GMT -5
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Post by DTP. on Jul 3, 2016 11:30:37 GMT -5
| WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER July 20, 2015 by Dave Meltzer |
The 25th annual G-1 tournament begins tonight in Hokkaido, the first of a nineteen date tour for this year's tournament, concluding on 8/16 in Ryogoku Sumo Hall. With the opening night of the tournament tonight, it will feature tag team matches featuring those in the B block and those not in the tournament on the undercard, with A block tournament matches dominating the upper echelon of the card.
The finals on 8/16 will also feature a title match of another kind, which is usually the case in order to elevate it, in addition to having the G-1 tournament finals on that night. This will be one of the biggest shows of the New Japan year.
Tonight in Hokkaido has Rush & Kushida & Ryusuke Taguchi & Jay White & Yohei Komatsu vs Roderick Strong & Jushin Liger & Mascara Dorada & David Finlay & Juice Robinson, Togi Makabe & Captain New Japan vs Doc Gallows & Cody Hall, Shinsuke Nakamura & Toru Yano vs Hirooki Goto & Yuji Nagata, Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi & Gedo vs Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi & Tama Tonga, Michael Elgin vs Tomohiro Ishii, Katsuyori Shibata vs Tomoaki Honma, A.J. Styles vs Daisuke Sekimoto, Tetsuya Naito vs Kota Ibushi, and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Karl Anderson.
On 7/23 in Shizuoka will see B block tournament matches. It will see Jushin Liger & Kushida & Jay White & David Finlay vs Ryusuke Taguchi & Manabu Nakanishi & Juice Robinson & Yohei Komatsu, Kota Ibushi & Michael Elgin & Katsuyori Shibata vs Karl Anderson & Tama Tonga & Cody Hall, A.J. Styles & Yujiro Takahashi vs Daisuke Sekimoto & Tomoaki Honma, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tetsuya Naito & Captain New Japan vs Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi & Gedo, Mascara Dorada vs Tiger Mask for the CMLL World Welterweight title, Yuji Nagata vs Toru Yano, Roderick Strong vs Rush, Togi Makabe vs Doc Gallows, Bad Luck Fale vs Kazuchika Okada, and Shinsuke Nakamura vs Hirooki Goto.
7/24 in Kyoto is A block night, featuring Mascara Dorada & Jushin Liger & David Finlay vs Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi & Jay White, Doc Gallows & Tama Tonga & Cody Hall vs Hirooki Goto & Captain New Japan & Yohei Komatsu, Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs Roderick Strong & Juice Robinson, Shinsuke Nakamura & Yoshi-Hashi vs Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi, Rush & Togi Makabe vs Kazuchika Okada & Toru Yano, Tetsuya Naito vs Daisuke Sekimoto, Katsuyori Shibata vs Michael Elgin, Tomohiro Ishii vs Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomoaki Honma vs A.J. Styles, and Karl Anderson vs Kota Ibushi. Tickets are still available for this show.
7/25 in Takamatsu is B block night, it has Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs Yohei Komatsu & Jay White, Kota Ibushi & Jushin Liger & Mascara Dorada vs Tomoaki Honma & Ryusuke Taguchi & Kushida, Katsuyori Shibata & Manabu Nakanishi & Tiger Mask vs Tomohiro Ishii & Yoshi-Hashi & Gedo, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tetsuya Naito & Daisuke Sekimoto vs Karl Anderson & Tama Tonga & Bad Luck Fale, A.J. Styles & Yujiro Takahashi vs Michael Elgin & Captain New Japan, Toru Yano vs Rush, Roderick Strong vs Yuji Nagata, Doc Gallows vs Hirooki Goto, Shinsuke Nakamura vs Bad Luck Fale, and Kazuchika Okada vs Togi Makabe
7/26 in Hiroshima is A block night. The show will have Kushida vs David Finlay, Roderick Strong & Tiger Mask & Yohei Komatsu & Jay White vs Togi Makabe & Ryusuke Taguchi & Captain New Japan & Juice Robinson, Hirooki Goto & Mascara Dorada & Jushin Liger vs Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi, Toru Yano & Gedo vs Doc Gallows & Cody Hall, Shinsuke Nakamura & Kazuchika Okada & Yoshi-Hashi vs Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi & Rush, Kota Ibushi vs Tomoaki Honma, Karl Anderson vs Daisuke Sekimoto, Katsuyori Shibata vs Tomohiro Ishii, A.J. Styles vs Michael Elgin, and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tetsuya Naito
ROH holds Death Before Dishonor on 7/24 without two of their top names, due to them being in the G-1 Climax tournament in Japan. This leaves Jay Lethal, the ROH World Champion without his number one contender Roderick Strong, as well as fellow top guy Michael Elgin. The advantage is that they will have the Young Bucks, RPG Vice and ReDRagon to utilize, with them not being a part of the tournament. The show will be headlined instead by Jay Lethal vs Adam Cole in a unique Proving Ground main event. It will also be broadcast live on iPPV.
Yoshi Tatsu will be back from his vertebrae injury before the end of the year, if not on the next tour coming in September. Similarly, Bushi, who was injured after a springboard moonsault went wrong last year, is expected back very soon.
Takaaki Kidani announced that there was an increase in subscriptions to New Japan World prior to the G-1 tournament beginning. On 7/18 during the press conference, Kidani revealed several statistics, including how revenue had gone down with the move from iPPV releases to the subscription service. He also revealed that with complaints from audience members, they are cutting back slightly on the amount of ringside photographers at ringside. This would be different, as it has been a regular staple in Japanese wrestling dating back many years. Kidani also revealed intentions to take the company public.
New Japan on AXS TV in the States has been signed to a multi-year contract, with ratings continuing to hold after a strong first two seasons. Season 3 will run from 8/14 through to 12/11, including four episodes focused on the January 4 Tokyo Dome show to wrap up for the season. Mauro Ranallo & Josh Barnett will do commentary duties on a show after Jim Ross & Matt Striker originally commentated on. This series started with a focus on Wrestle Kingdom 7 in 2013, so they are obviously planning on catching up with the current product fast. The series will continue to run 52 weeks of the year.
New Japan's continued assistance of helping Pro Wrestling Noah has finally paid off, after bringing the Suzuki-gun faction to the promotion in an invasion angle - as well as continued appearances by Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima and Manabu Nakanishi. They sold out Korakuen Hall on 7/18 with Minoru Suzuki defending the GHC Heavyweight title against Yoshihiro Takayama - although it resulted in an old-school style U.S. near-riot. Fans were throwing garbage after the match, which is a rare reaction in Japan. The finish was overbooked with Takayama bleeding hardway, tons of interference, and Suzuki finally retaining the title. El Desperado was hit with a garbage can and Taichi injured two women in attendance by pushing them away. It could have gotten real bad, but after it calmed down, Takashi Sugiura came to the ring to issue the next challenge, which will take place for the GHC title on 9/19 in Osaka. Meanwhile, Sho Tanaka continues to work dates for Noah, competing in their Jr Heavyweight tournament that concludes on 8/4.
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Post by DTP. on Jul 4, 2016 14:47:35 GMT -5
| NJPW G1 CLIMAX 25: DAY TWO Thursday, July 23, 2015 - Twin Messe Shizuoka - Shizuoka, Shizuoka |
SHINSUKE NAKAMURA (CHAOS) | G1 CLIMAX 25: B BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | | BAD LUCK FALE (BULLET CLUB) | G1 CLIMAX 25: B BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | | | G1 CLIMAX 25: B BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | DOC GALLOWS (BULLET CLUB) | | G1 CLIMAX 25: B BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | | | G1 CLIMAX 25: B BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | | | CMLL WORLD WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | | HIROSHI TANAHASHI (SEKIGUN) TETSUYA NAITO (LOS INGOBERNABLES) CAPTAIN NEW JAPAN (SEKIGUN) | SPECIAL SIX MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | TOMOHIRO ISHII (CHAOS) YOSHI-HASHI (CHAOS) GEDO (CHAOS) | TOMOAKI HONMA (G.B.H.) DAISUKE SEKIMOTO (G.B.H.)
| SPECIAL TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | A.J. STYLES (BULLET CLUB) YUJIRO TAKAHASHI (BULLET CLUB) | KOTA IBUSHI (SEKIGUN) KATSUYORI SHIBATA (SEKIGUN) MICHAEL ELGIN (ROH) | SPECIAL SIX MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | KARL ANDERSON (BULLET CLUB) TAMA TONGA (BULLET CLUB) CODY HALL (BULLET CLUB) | JUSHIN LIGER (SEKIGUN) KUSHIDA (SEKIGUN) JAY WHITE DAVID FINLAY | SPECIAL EIGHT MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | RYUSUKE TAGUCHI (SEKIGUN) MANABU NAKANISHI (SEKIGUN) JUICE ROBINSON YOHEI KOMATSU |
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Post by DTP. on Jul 13, 2016 22:39:58 GMT -5
| NJPW G1 CLIMAX 25: DAY TWO
Thursday, July 23, 2015 - Twin Messe Shizuoka - Shizuoka, Shizuoka |
The opening signature aired, a presentation of New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2015. Following this came a video package that ran down the history of the G1 Climax - a tournament so gruelling and historic that many in professional wrestling all wish to compete, with the additional bonus of going on to challenge for an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match in the future. A rundown on the B block participants aired, which is what tonight is focused on - consisting of Bad Luck Fale, Doc Gallows, Hirooki Goto, Kazuchika Okada, Roderick Strong, Rush, Shinsuke Nakamura, Togi Makabe, Toru Yano and Yuji Nagata, as well as their accolades and finishing moves. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the biggest tournament in New Japan history continues tonight.
Twin Messe Shizuoka sat awaiting the second night of the twenty-fifth G1 Climax tournament, as Kimihiko Ozaki stood in the middle of the ring with paper and a mic in hand, reading out the matches for the night.
- Jushin Liger, KUSHIDA, Jay White & David Finlay vs Ryusuke Taguchi, Manabu Nakanishi, Juice Robinson & Yohei Komatsu
- Kota Ibushi, Katsuyori Shibata & Michael Elgin vs BULLET CLUB (Karl Anderson, Tama Tonga & Cody Hall)
- G.B.H. (Tomoaki Honma & Daisuke Sekimoto) vs BULLET CLUB (A.J. Styles & Yujiro Takahashi)
- Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito & Captain New Japan vs CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Gedo)
- Máscara Dorada (c) vs Tiger Mask for the CMLL World Welterweight Championship
- Yuji Nagata vs Toru Yano in a G1 Climax 25 B Block match
- Roderick Strong vs Rush in a G1 Climax 25 B Block match
- Togi Makabe vs Doc Gallows in a G1 Climax 25 B Block match
- Bad Luck Fale vs Kazuchika Okada in a G1 Climax 25 B Block match
- Shinsuke Nakamura vs Hirooki Goto in a G1 Climax 25 B Block match
1. Jushin Liger, KUSHIDA, Jay White & David Finlay def. Ryusuke Taguchi, Manabu Nakanishi, Juice Robinson & Yohei Komatsu in 7:34 after the Boston crab by White on Komatsu.
2. BULLET CLUB (Karl Anderson, Tama Tonga & Cody Hall) def. Kota Ibushi, Katsuyori Shibata & Michael Elgin in 10:05 after a chair shot by Hall followed by the Swivel Gun by Anderson on Ibushi. Shibata and Elgin tried to get along, but had a confrontation after the match.
3. G.B.H. (Tomoaki Honma & Daisuke Sekimoto) def. BULLET CLUB (A.J. Styles & Yujiro Takahashi) in 10:38 after the deadlift German suplex by Sekimoto on Takahashi.
4. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Gedo) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito & Captain New Japan in 11:13 after the sliding lariat by Ishii on Captain New Japan. Naito refused to tag in and had an argument with Tanahashi during the match, then later attacked Tanahashi, costing him the chance to break up the pinfall on Captain New Japan. Naito left on his own after the match.
5. Máscara Dorada def. Tiger Mask in 12:20 to retain the CMLL World Welterweight Championship after the Dorada Screwdriver. Tiger Mask kept his NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship then offered Dorada a handshake after the match. Dorada accepted, and both men buried the hatchet, ending their feud that began during the Best of the Super Juniors tournament. ***STILL CHAMPION***
- 15 MINUTE INTERMISSION -
6. G1 CLIMAX 25 B BLOCK MATCHYUJI NAGATA (0pts, 0-0) vs TORU YANO (0pts, 0-0)The first G1 Climax bout of the B block, and it was bound to be quite an unorthodox one to kick start the tournament singles matches tonight in Twin Messe Shizuoka. Representing CHAOS, Toru Yano may not come across as a very fearsome competitor. A comical, happy-go-lucky demeanor in appearance, Yano still will do anything to win - demonstrated plenty of times in the past, with previous victories over stars such as Hiroshi Tanahashi, Minoru Suzuki and Togi Makabe. He draws the ire of crowds but plenty of fans still love him for his crazed antics, stealing victories and cheating to extended lengths to ensure victory. This juxtaposes well with the former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, and winner of the 2001 G1 Climax tournament, Yuji Nagata, who is known for his Strong Style way of competing, and experience in submission and martial arts wrestling. These two men last met during the G1 Climax tournament in 2013, where "Blue Justice" was victorious, but "YTR" was here to prove his worth.
Toru Yano actually came out to the ring dressed in the newest Bad Luck Fale shirt, something to try and annoy his recent rival in "the Underboss". Yano wandered to the ring with his DVDs high in the air, hoping to promote them to those watching him. In his other hand meanwhile, the ever present water bottle of Yano's - the bottle that kickstarted Bad Luck Fale's animosity for the loveable member of CHAOS. The man appeared confident as he removed his shirt, complimenting himself that he's doing a better job of promoting Fale's merch than Fale does himself! Yuji Nagata meanwhile, the grizzled veteran, made his way to the ring with a serious, determined look on his face. During his introduction, Yano tried to throw water at Nagata, but "Blue Justice" simply glared at him, intently waiting for the match to begin.
Yano shrugged in response to this, as the bell sounded and this match officially got underway, with Yuji Nagata circling the ring, getting prepared to lock up with Yano - who once upon a time, was a decorated Greco-Roman wrestler - but Yano simply looked at his arms and continued to back away, backing up into the ropes reluctantly, before yelling for the referee to break, further frustrating Nagata, who appeared to be trying to keep a cool head at least for the time behind. Nagata backed up fairly, as Yano appeared to get ready to get back into this, but Yuji stepped forward and Yano left for the apron, yelling for the referee to get "Blue Justice" away from him a second time. Yano grinned before climbing back inside, with the referee restraining Nagata back across the ring from him. Nagata and Yano circled the ring, with Nagata getting the fans in Shizuoka rallied behind him, whilst Yano did the same - and finally a lock-up took place: Yano however rolling Nagata over, going for the Akakiri on Nagata for a quick pin - but Nagata kicked out at one!
Yuji decided that this probably wasn't the best idea to get into a precarious position with such an unpredictable competitor like Toru Yano, as "Blue Justice" shot up to his feet and delivered a crashing big boot into the side of Yano's head! In the corner now, Nagata lit Yano up with several kicks to the torso of "YTR", Nagata delivering several, up until the referee once again forced Nagata to back away - Yano yelling at Nagata all the while. Yuji backed up, as Yano then dropped to the floor and grabbed a steel chair from the broadcast section at ringside. Yano slid the chair - and himself - into the ring, and the referee immediately grabbed the chair and dropped it out at the floor...allowing Yano to duck a right hand from Yano: a big low blow kick to the groin of Nagata! Yano with a Kuro Kirishima roll-up - but Nagata still defiantly kicked out! Yano tried to roll out to the floor after the pin attempt, but Nagata pounced on "YTR" with a front facelock, which brought Yano up to his feet - Nagata then following with several right hand jabs to the face of Yano - Nagata looking to follow with a wind-up punch, but Yano poked the eyes of Nagata.
Yano charged Yuji with a lariat that sent Nagata into the ropes, but when he tried to rush for a second lariat, Nagata moved out of the way, and Toru Yano fell out of the ring to the ringside floor! Nagata was keeping Yano in check, and not allowing the well-renowned spoiler to steal his first win from a former G1 winner in the veteran Nagata. "Blue Justice" followed Yano out, wanting to dish out more punishment to Yano, including a big chop to Yano out by the ringside barriers. Nagata lit Yano up with two more that caused Yano to flee onto all-fours, now trying to crawl away from Nagata, who picked him up, then tried to whip him across ringside into the barriers - but Yano turned it around, and Yuji hit the barriers spine-first! Yano picked up the steel chair that was removed earlier, tossing it at Nagata, before opening the ringside barriers and stomping Yuji Nagata out into the aisleway of the audience. Yano picked Yuji up and kicked him in the ribs, whilst the referee tried to get this match back in the ring.
Toru Yano made a fan get out of his seat, before sending Nagata face first into the seat - then sitting him on it! Yano delivered a big boot into the chest knocking Nagata down off of his seat, before Yano then triumphantly made his way back to the ring, acting as if he had won this one already! "YTR" stood in the ring and declared victory, whilst the referee began the twenty count on Nagata, who was still on the floor in the crowd of Twin Messe! The count reached eight and Yuji was finally moving, crawling towards the ring - and by the count of fifteen, Nagata was making his way through the barriers to the ringside floor. Yano tried to stand in Nagata's way of re-entry to the ring, but Nagata was able to crawl back inside, between the legs of Yano - "Blue Justice" then delivering an exploder suplex to Yano!
Yuji Nagata had finally had enough of Toru Yano in the first B block match of the G1 Climax, "Blue Justice" picking Yano up and firing him up with a chest kick, followed by a leg kick - a kick to the head, and finishing the combination off with a huge big boot knocking Yano into the corner! Nagata charged for a corner big boot on Yano, who ducked and rolled Nagata up, but Nagata rolled over to his knee, and Nagata followed with a belly to belly suplex! Yano tried to roll away from Nagata, who then picked Toru up and delivered three huge forearm smashes to the face of "YTR"! Yano pushed Yuji and comically tried to run away, but Nagata grabbed him by the back of his tights, roping Yano in, and the bridging backdrop suplex connected - the cover, and Nagata picked up the win!Winner: Yuji Nagata (2pts, 1-0) in 8:26 [**½] Yuji Nagata got up to his feet, the 2001 winner of the G1 Climax tournament proving that he still had what it took - but this was only one match, and Nagata had eight more matches to go in the B block. "Blue Justice" continued to celebrate post-match, whilst Toru Yano iced himself off and stumbled away, no victory for the comical loaf tonight. Nagata will next face IWGP Intercontinental Champion Roderick Strong, whilst Yano will next face Rush of Los Ingobernables on July 25 in Takamatsu City.
7. G1 CLIMAX 25 B BLOCK MATCHRODERICK STRONG (0pts, 0-0) vs RUSH (0pts, 0-0)In this match ahead, we were to see a great clash of cultures, and a great clash of styles, as Roderick Strong, born in the United States - representing Ring of Honor in this tournament - and also reigning as the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, coming off of a victory against Shinsuke Nakamura back at Dominion, wanted to maintain his powerful stance as the IWGP Intercontinental Champion here. But it was going to be interesting to see, with his opponent tonight having been unproven in a New Japan ring: this match literally being his New Japan debut, and in such a grand stage such as the G1 Climax tournament, pressure could potentially set in. Rush, representing Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, one of the founding fathers of the Los Ingobernables faction, was here to try and gain his notoriety faction, as well as make a strong debut appearance tonight against the IWGP Intercontinental Champion. One of two Los Ingobernables members in this tournament, Rush is allied with Tetsuya Naito, the two having teamed a lot in the past two months during Naito's excursion to Mexico - and since returning, Naito, with the Los Ingobernables motto embedded within, has been a completely different and able threat to this tournament with his careless and relaxed attitude.
"Mr ROH" made his way to the ring for his first tournament match in the G1 Climax tournament - the IWGP Intercontinental Champion's first appearance in the G1 this year, and surely wanting to impress, as Roderick Strong marched down to the ring, brandishing the title around his waist with a high level of pride, talking trash about how he is the champion, and that nobody can come close to him. Strong however, had never been in the ring with his opponent. The sole representative of Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre in this year's tournament, the man known as Rush made his way down to the ring fairly quickly, not boasting a similar attitude as his Los Ingobernables teammate Tetsuya Naito did. Rush was all business, the former CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion and CMLL World Tag Team Champion alongside fellow Ingobernables founder, La Máscara.
Time for "Mr CMLL" vs "Mr ROH", as Roderick Strong prepped himself up for this bout by jumping on the spot, whilst Rush decided to do something even more productive, and charged at Strong before the bell - Rush immediately laying into Strong with several right hand punches to the face of Strong, reminding Strong of what it is like to wrestle in the United States and Mexico. Rush cornered Strong and delivered several kicks to the mid-section of Strong, Rush here to make a big name for himself in his first appearance in New Japan Pro Wrestling's number one tournament, the G1 Climax. Rush snapmared Strong down into a seated position on the mat, before connecting with a low dropkick connecting with the back of Strong's head: Rush with the first cover of the match, but Roddy was able to kick out at two.
Rush was starting things off quickly, the speedy Mexican from Tala, Jalisco; continuing his onslaught of the IWGP Intercontinental Champion with two stomps. Rush tried to continue as he picked Strong up and nailed him with a big open hand chop - but Strong came back with a knee to the gut. Strong lit Rush up with two chops of his own, before Rush kicked Strong in the abdomen again. Rush now, tried to send Strong off the ropes, but Strong hung onto them and delivered a back elbow to an inbound "Mr CMLL", Strong suddenly following up with a dropkick, taking Rush down for a one count! Roddy needed to do more to keep Rush down off of his feet, as Strong, known for his grappling game, then locked in a seated abdominal stretch, whilst mouthing to Rush about not being on his level. Strong stretched away at Rush, whilst throwing in the occasional body blow, all whilst Rush tried to break loose. Strong soon broke the hold, before manoeuvring Rush up to his feet, and planting him with a suplex, covering for another two count.
All action it was, as the IWGP Intercontinental Champion tried to manipulate the pace of this match against the favor of the very agile, muscular CMLL representative. Strong had Rush on his front on the mat, a chinlock applied with his knee digging right into the spine of "Mr CMLL" for added pressure, but Rush remained resilient and tried to shimmy his way over to the ropes, but ultimately managed to get up to his knees instead, Rush clubbing Roddy away with two big elbows and a forearm, before Rush tried whipping Roddy into the ropes. Roddy turned the whip around on Rush, who went sailing into the ropes, but came back with a charging elbow smash, taking Strong down! Rush got back up to his feet before tossing "Mr ROH" out to the floor. Rush followed in hot pursuit, sending Strong chest first into the ringside barriers! Rush propelled Strong into the ring post next, doing anything possible to keep Strong down on the floor.
Rush cockily posed on the ring apron in a relaxed state, almost a mirror image of Los Ingobernables ally Tetsuya Naito, before sliding back inside. Rush was not allowing the referee to count the IWGP Intercontinental Champion out however, instead waiting for Roddy to reach his feet, when Rush suddenly came bounding through the ropes, connecting with a topé and taking Strong off of his feet again! Rush was looking fatigued now however, holding his back, before rolling Strong back inside. In the ring, Rush climbed up to the top rope and executed a front missile dropkick, covering Strong again, but only for a near fall at this time. Despite the move to Japan for this tournament, Rush continued to work the lucha-libre style, with successful results thus far against a game yet overconfident Roderick Strong.
Rush choked Strong with his boot whilst against the middle rope, which prompted the referee to come and force a break, which Rush brushed off, then insulted the fans with a mocking hand gesture, telling them to shut up. Back to stomps now, but Strong visibly started becoming agitated by Rush's offense, consisting of open hand chops. Rush turned to punches again, but Strong suddenly came back with two big forearms, followed by a thunderous uppercut - Strong hitting the ropes, just to walk right into a belly to belly suplex! Rush now, slower than before, got back up to his feet, picking Strong up and delivering a big suplex on Roddy, but did not try to cover Roddy on this attempt. "Mr CMLL" instead began mocking Strong, giving him some light, playful kicks to the head, just disrespecting Strong.
Rush delivered a big slap to Strong, but Roddy came back with a huge slap of his own, and then a triad of forearm strikes! Rush came back with a knee to the gut, but Strong suddenly came back with a rolling elbow strike knocking Rush silly! Strong then picked Rush up for a back suplex, dropping him right across his knees for a double knee backbreaker! Strong however did not stop there, now picking Rush up and delivering a double underhook backbreaker for good measure, Strong picking Rush up for a suplex, slingshotting him down to the mat against the top rope! "Mr ROH" got fired up now, as Rush was down, his spine suffering from the series of attacks targeting his core! Rush crawled over to the corner, using the ropes to bring himself up - and Strong was waiting there for him, charging with a step-up knee strike in the corner, followed by a charging forearm smash off the ropes, and then a second forearm smash in the corner: Strong with a huge lariat, taking Rush down hard!
"Mr ROH" was ready to end this match now, lifting Rush up to his feet and attempting to go for the Death by Roderick - Rush able to land on his feet after slipping out: the German suplex connecting! It was perhaps a desperation move from the weakened Los Ingobernables founder, who tried to get back up with his hands supporting his spine. Rush picked Strong up and slapped him again across the face, then ducked a lariat, connecting with a wrist-clutched olympic slam on Strong, but only for two. A near fall heavy match between the American and the Mexican, as Rush picked Strong up again, this time attempting to go for the Rush Driver, hooking the arms and trying to lift, but Strong deadweighted Rush, potentially harming his back - Strong breaking loose, then hitting the ropes and executing a Sick Kick!
Roddy scurried to picking Rush up, attempting the End of Heartache - but Rush turned it into a cradle he immediately relinquished: Rush executing a big superkick, stunning Roddy! But Roddy fought through it and came back with a jumping knee strike, catching Rush in the face; Roddy trying a backbreaker again, but Rush broke loose, a powerslam connecting! Rush hit the ropes, looking for a running senton, but Strong managed to move out of the way, with Rush's back clamoring for less punishment now! Unfortunately for him, Strong did not want to stop, which is when he got Rush in the Strong Hold - the Boston crab applied, with the knee added, dug deep into the spine of Rush for extra pressure - and the IWGP Intercontinental Champion was able to score the win!Winner: Roderick Strong (2pts, 1-0) in 15:38 [****] This match had it all between two world class talents, but in the end, the IWGP Intercontinental Champion Roderick Strong was able to come out on top. Strong confidently got his hand raised in victory whilst Rush rolled out of the ring. Rush dismissed the fans approving of his efforts, shrugging it off and acting like he didn't have to prove anything to anyone, the Los Ingobernables member next set to compete against Toru Yano. Meanwhile, Roderick Strong happily hugged his IWGP Intercontinental Championship, telling everybody who would listen that he said he was on another level, and nobody could match what he could do. Strong vowed to the camera to step easily and quickly through this G1 Climax tournament, next to face Yuji Nagata on July 25 in Takamatsu.
8. G1 CLIMAX 25 B BLOCK MATCHTOGI MAKABE (0pts, 0-0) vs DOC GALLOWS w/Cody Hall (0pts, 0-0)After the IWGP Heavyweight Champion and leader of the Bullet Club "Phenomenal One" A.J. Styles managed to beat the NEVER Openweight Champion Daisuke Sekimoto yesterday, it appeared as though a storm was brewing between the Bullet Club and Great Bash Heel, a faction led by the "Bousou Kingkong" and former IWGP Heavyweight Champion in his own right, Togi Makabe. On top of this, Makabe is also a previous winner of this very tournament, having won the 2009 edition, and with high hopes of certifying his faction's revival with a big win in this year's tournament, especially in the 25th anniversary of the tournament. But on the other hand, Doc Gallows, "the Outlaw" of the Bullet Club is one imposing man, and has at times acted out as the enforcer, evidenced by a one year reign as IWGP Tag Team Champions alongside "the Machine Gun" Karl Anderson in 2014.
"The Unchained Gorilla" came to the ring with chains hanging down from his neck, Togi Makabe here, loud and proud, pacing up and down the ring, almost ready for war with "the Outlaw" of the Bullet Club, in the profane, facepainted six-foot-eight Doc Gallows. Gallows came out to the Shizuoka crowd, but he was not alone - cursing and with a hangman's noose wrapped around his neck. Gallows swung the rope between his legs inappropriately, whilst Bullet Club's residential "young boy" Cody Hall swung the Biz Cliz flag behind Gallows - as Gallows made his way down to the ring, two big men ready to do battle in both of their first matches of G1 Climax 25, on B block night.
The bell sounded, as the fans were very strongly behind the Great Bash Heel leader, Togi Makabe. Makabe soaked in the chants from the crowd, as Doc Gallows stepped towards Makabe, ready to do battle. Gallows called Makabe a "motherf*cker", and Makabe responded by flipping the bird, telling Gallows to "f*ck" off! Already profane laced, Gallows got really worked up, swinging a throat thrust that Makabe ducked. Makabe came back with a forearm to the head of Gallows, followed by a second one - but Gallows got in a throat thrust, cutting off the "Bousou Kingkong". Gallows laid into Makabe with another, before cornering him and delivering body blow after body blow to the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Gallows connected with an uppercut palm strike to follow up with, as Gallows was now in control of Makabe.
"The Outlaw", a former WWE and TNA star as well throughout his career, sent Togi Makabe into the ropes, then looked to follow with a lariat for the "Bousou Kingkong", just for Makabe to break it with a forearm to Gallows' outstretched arm, and Makabe proceeded to follow up with a shoulder block that sent Gallows backwards into the ropes. Makabe came at Gallows with a further forearm to the face, followed by a club across the back. Over to the corner went Gallows, as now Makabe was in line to dish out some offense at the expense of the former IWGP Tag Team Champion. Togi climbed up to the second rope and flipped the bird at the face of "the Outlaw", before raining down with punch after punch, strike after strike, into the temple of Gallows' bald head - reaching a tenth punch, before getting down. Gallows was dazed from the flurry of strikes, and Makabe worsened it, by astonishingly delivering a lariat that sent Gallows over the top rope, crashing down to the floor at ringside!
"Big LG" was not in the zone to be in against a man of Makabe's calibre, as Cody Hall dashed over, trying to help Gallows back up to his feet. The ring out count was initiated, but Gallows was able to roll back inside by the count of five. Makabe was there however, ready for more of the Doc, delivering several stomps before picking Gallows up. Makabe clashed his knee against the temple of Gallows, before pushing him into the corner. Now in the corner again, the "Bousou Kingkong" delivered a harsh open-handed chop to the chest of Gallows, before lighting him up with a second one. Gallows however managed to dodge a corner splash by Makabe, and Gallows got in with an opportune back elbow smash, with Makabe now there. Gallows put his boot up in the air and began to choke Makabe with it, whilst the referee tried to restrain "the Outlaw" from proceeding. Gallows had Makabe prone and in the corner, whilst "the Outlaw" decided to now back away into the opposite corner, then beginning a charge and executing a running splash, taking Makabe down to the mat! "The Outlaw" covered, but Makabe was able to kick out at two.
Gallows now, having reasserted his position after a shaky start against the "Unchained Gorilla", grabbed a chinlock on Makabe, with Togi actually fading in the hold, Gallows applying more tort on the hold than one normally would. At the same time as weakening and pausing Makabe in motion, Gallows was regaining his energy, hoping to eventually put Makabe down for good. Makabe though, was not completely out of it, as Gallows continued to try and wrench the head to the right, and before long, Makabe fought his way back up to a vertical basis, elbowing Gallows in the abdomen. Gallows responded with a knee to the chest, and a club across the back kept Togi in line, before the Biz Cliz member attempted to lariat Makabe, just for Makabe to absorb it - Makabe responding with a lariat of his own! Neither man wanted to back off here, as Gallows threw an uppercut palm strike to Makabe, but Makabe came back with a forearm strike, followed by another, and a third one - but Gallows kitchen sinked Makabe with a high knee to the gut.
Gallows connected with a sidewalk slam, before getting up to his feet and hitting the ropes - coming off the other ropes - and again with the running, before coming down hard with a splash! Gallows covered Makabe, but Togi was not done yet in this match! Gallows looked frustrated now, whilst Cody Hall watched on quietly from ringside, hoping to put an end to this match now. He got back up to his feet, hands in the air and shouting for Makabe to get up - Gallows in position, and he slapped on a double chokehold, looking for a Hangman's Noose - broken by Makabe! Makabe ducked a lariat from Gallows, hitting the ropes, and connecting with a huge lariat! Makabe roared up to his feet, picking Gallows up and executing a side slam.
Makabe went out to the apron and climbed up to the top rope - but Cody Hall climbed up to the apron, trying to get Makabe down - when suddenly Tomoaki Honma appeared from the broadcast section - Honma dragging Hall down to the floor and knocking him down with a big forearm smash! Makabe thought he was in position, when Gallows met him and crotched him on the top rope! "The Outlaw" delivered another throat thrust to Togi before climbing up to the second rope, hoping to get in a superplex on the "Bousou Kingkong". Gallows tried to lift him up, but Makabe broke loose, then delivered a big headbutt knocking Gallows down to the mat on his feet, in a dazed state. Makabe jumped down, then picked Gallows up, executing a death valley driver for good measure! Makabe climbed out to the apron and went up top again - this time coming off the top rope with the King Kong Knee Drop on Gallows! Togi covered, and the "Unchained Gorilla" picked up the win!Winner: Togi Makabe (2pts, 1-0) in 9:26 [**¾] The leader of Great Bash Heel had picked up the win successfully tonight in Shizuoka, with one win down, eight more to go for the "Unchained Gorilla". Togi Makabe, the 2009 winner of the G1 Climax, greeted Tomoaki Honma respectfully and loyally, with Honma raising Makabe's hand in victory. Meanwhile, Cody Hall helped Doc Gallows out of the ring, with the Bullet Club absorbing a loss here at the expense of Makabe with the assist from Honma. Gallows will next be in action against one-half of the IWGP Tag Team Champions Hirooki Goto, whilst Togi Makabe takes on Kazuchika Okada on July 25 in Takamatsu City.
9. G1 CLIMAX 25 B BLOCK MATCHBAD LUCK FALE w/Tama Tonga (0pts, 0-0) vs KAZUCHIKA OKADA w/Gedo (0pts, 0-0)Upon defeating "the Machine Gun" Karl Anderson back at Dominion, Kazuchika Okada has now set his sights on the IWGP Heavyweight Championship that he has been apart from for the last fourteen months. It was back in May 2014 when the "Rainmaker" lost the title to "Phenomenal One" A.J. Styles, and Okada has been chasing the title ever since. He won the G1 Climax last year, the second time in a three year span - but he was unable to reclaim the title, losing to Hiroshi Tanahashi in the Tokyo Dome for the second time in his career back at Wrestle Kingdom 9. Since this loss, he focused on re-development, and continued his rivalry with the Bullet Club. Okada now wishes to win the G1 Climax for a third time in his career - for a second year in a row - but in doing so, he is tasked with taking on many foes in the process. It is a real test, and in his way first of all is one Bad Luck Fale. "The Underboss" has been waiting for a big opportunity to come his way, a former IWGP Intercontinental Champion, and one of the longest running members of the Bullet Club.
The big Tongan came down to the ring with his shirt on, silently with shades covering his eyes - Bad Luck Fale not coming alone tonight, not that should be of any surprise - "the Bad Boy" Tama Tonga following Fale to the ring, much like Cody Hall accompanied Doc Gallows in the previous match. Tonga and Fale have bonded previously, chasing the IWGP Tag Team Championships and the World Tag League together, but to little success. Fale waited patiently as the money began flowing, and Kazuchika Okada graced the Shizuoka crowd, accompanied by his trusty manager and best friend, Gedo - "Rainmaker" getting set for his first match of the G1 Climax - a former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a two-time winner of the G1 Climax in years 2012 and 2014 - looking for a third win this year.
The bell sounded and this match got underway, with Kazuchika Okada having the crowd heavily backing him. Okada looked at Fale, who appeared slow and stepped lightly towards Okada. Both men engaged in a face off, with Fale remaining silent whilst Okada spoke words to Fale, perhaps to antagonize "the Underboss" early. Okada and Fale circled the ring before engaging in a lock-up, but Fale very quickly tossed Okada away, and Kazuchika realized that he had to do a lot in order to make Fale obey his physical commands. Both men continued to circle, before locking up again - and this time Fale began to force Okada backwards into corner, Fale not letting up as Okada remained stuck in the corner - the referee ordering the break at this time. "Rainmaker" decided to try and get up on Fale's back, using the bottom rope for elevation, as Okada jumped on and tried to lock in a headlock on the big Tongan - who simply dragged Okada out in front of him, now forcing him backwards into the ropes - but Okada reversed the exchange, and he used all of his upper body weight to force Fale into the ropes. The referee demanded the break again, and Okada complied, before slapping both hands across the big chest of Fale.
A bad move, as Bad Luck Fale immediately clubbed him with a right hand! Fale delivered an uppercut into the solar plexus of Okada, before following with another body blow. Fale clubbed Okada in the back of the head, before hitting the ropes - but Okada dropped down, and then followed with a leapfrog. Okada nailed Fale with a back elbow bouncing off of the jaw of Fale, who did not appeared phased by Okada's feeble attempt. Fale welcomed Okada to do more, and Okada complied, delivering two forearms to the side of the head - but Fale cut him off with a knee to the gut! Fale applied a side headlock on Okada, who managed to slip out of it, then attempting to waistlock the three-hundred pounder's thick torso. Fale managed to break the hold, but backed Okada into the corner rear-first. Fale obeyed the referee's command to break the hold, but then delivered three hip attacks, sandwiching the CHAOS member in the corner! Fale stepped out of the corner and caught a rebounding Okada with a big back body drop executed - as a big elbow drop off the ropes connected, only for a two count, as Okada managed to kick out.
Kazuchika Okada was suffering right now against the Bullet Club bouncer, Bad Luck Fale now applied a nerve hold, gripping the right shoulder of the "Rainmaker", whilst Gedo watched on anxiously from the corner. Tama Tonga had not moved yet, simply watching from the ringside area with his arms folded. "The Underboss" kept Okada in the hold, but Okada was fighting to try and get up and out of it - working his way up to his feet, before delivering two back elbows to the side of Fale's head to break free. Okada kicked Fale in the gut before hitting the ropes and ducking a lariat: Okada with a back elbow that rocked Fale slightly. Okada decided to follow by going up to the second rope and coming off with a dropkick that once again knocked Fale off balance, but Fale was still trying to keep on his feet! Okada had Fale where he wanted him now, taking the arms of Fale and criss-crossing them, before taking the big Tongan down with a straightjacket neckbreaker! Okada covered, but Fale managed to kick out at the count of one - it going to have to take Okada more to defeat "the Underboss".
Kazuchika Okada saw Bad Luck Fale stirring, and delivered a snapmare on the former IWGP Intercontinental Champion: Okada then hitting the ropes and connecting with a sliding dropkick to the jaw, followed up with a cover - but Fale powered out at one! Okada now knowing that he had to do more to keep Fale down. Okada kept on the attack, stomping on Fale, getting him on the apron. Fale began to rise, as Okada tried to hook the head of Fale for a draping DDT, but Fale gave Okada a big forearm to the head, before re-entering the ring. Fale delivered a knee to the gut of Okada, before returning to the body strikes, targeting the core of the "Rainmaker" and brutalizing Okada with a double handed choke, tossing Okada into the corner! Fale began to choke Okada in the corner with a high footchoke, using the top rope for balance, before the referee ordered that Fale relinquish the illegal hold. Okada was in a bad place now, as Fale turned Okada around to face the top rope; raining several forearms down crashing onto the back of Okada's head!
Fale geared up, backing away from the corner - executing a big corner splash, all of his body weight going into the back and abdomen of the "Rainmaker", as Kazuchika Okada stumbled down to the mat, clutching his ribs. Okada's ribs were being targeted here, as Fale came off the ropes, this time executing a leg drop, the big leg crashing down across the chest of the proclaimed "Ace of the New Era"! Fale covered Okada, but the "Rainmaker" was able to kick out at the count of two! Fale looked to do more, as he picked Okada up to his feet, then got Okada up on his shoulders in a fireman's carry - Okada however, able to slip out and deliver a big uppercut to Fale - followed by a neckbreaker! Okada remained down whilst Fale was down, but Okada crawled out to the apron, before getting up and coming in with the slingshot somersault senton, flipping over across the abdomen of Fale! Okada covered, but Fale still managed to kick out at two.
Now was Okada's chance to get some much needed momentum against "the Underboss", as Kazuchika Okada now stumbled up to his feet, kicking Fale out to the apron. Fale was in a problematic state now, as Okada picked at Fale's chin, hooking him and dragging him out for a draping DDT: but Fale was able to push Okada away. Okada fell into the ropes, but ducked a body tackle from the former rugby player: Okada connecting with a lariat that stunned Fale - followed up by the DDT on the bouncer! Okada covered, but Fale was barely able to get a shoulder up before the three! Okada thought he could have had Fale this time, as Okada now went back to the drawing board, catching his breath. Tama Tonga nipped onto the apron to distract Okada, and it worked - Fale suddenly coming behind and delivering a big headbutt into the back of Kazuchika's skull! Fale then delivered a huge Samoan drop, crashing Okada down hard on the mat, holding his ribs again now! Okada was down, but Fale wasn't finished yet, using all of his body weight to weigh down Okada's chest with a double foot stand - using the top rope for leverage.
Fale wanted to harm Okada at this point, with "the Underboss" picking Okada up and delivering a body slam - Fale now hitting the ropes, looking for the Falling Coconut big splash - but when he landed, he got nothing but mat! Okada had managed to crawl away from the attack, as Okada, holding his ribs and all, now went up to the top rope, the "Rainmaker" coming off with a big diving elbow drop! Okada may have hurt himself more in the process, but he covered Fale regardless - just for Fale to stay alive at the count of two! Okada had to now try something else, as Fale tried to get back into this match. Okada decided to go for the Rainmaker Lariat now, stalking Fale as he grew to his feet - hooking Fale, and trying to rope him out for the Lariat - just for Fale to almost decapitate Okada with a thunderous lariat! Fale picked Okada up, then picked him up for a chokeslam into a thumb thrust: the Grenade executed! Okada was down, as Fale covered Okada - Okada miraculously managing to kick out before the three count!
Don't count Okada out yet, as Bad Luck Fale was throwing everything at Okada just for Okada to fire back. The "Rainmaker" was resilient, not letting Fale get the win over him at this time. Fale meanwhile had his eyes set on ending this one, as Fale attempted to pick Okada up, just for Okada to repeatedly elbow Fale in the face! Fale went for a lariat, but Okada ducked it - and a dropkick nailed Fale! Okada tripped "the Underboss" and went for the Red Ink now - Okada managing to apply the Red Ink successfully, with Fale trapped with no way to run or escape! Fale was locked in the kneeling STF for several moments, but finally Tama Tonga managed to get onto the apron, distracting the referee - and distracting Okada! Okada relinquished the hold and went over to confront "the Bad Boy", but all the while, Bad Luck Fale was recovering - and he suddenly came from behind, trying for the Grenade again - Okada able to go behind and roll Fale up - but Fale kicked out at one. Okada ran right into a choke from "the Underboss", and then Fale kicked Okada in the gut, lifting him up like he was nothing: the Bad Luck Fall dropping Okada across the ring! Fale covered...and Okada had lost his first match of the G1 Climax.Winner: Bad Luck Fale (2pts, 1-0) in 13:26 [***¼] "The Underboss" had done the unthinkable and stopped Kazuchika Okada's momentum off suddenly with a victory in the first match for either man! "Rainmaker" was attended to by Gedo, as Bad Luck Fale's hand was raised high in victory by Tama Tonga, the man that has frequently been a thorn in Okada and Gedo's side for the past couple of months! Fortunately for Okada, more opportunities awaited him with eight matches left to go in the block, but Fale had definitely still pulled off a big upset, managing to defeat a former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion in this match! Okada was now moving on to face Togi Makabe, whilst Bad Luck Fale hoped to continue his point-scoring ways, facing Shinsuke Nakamura on July 25 in Takamatsu.
10. G1 CLIMAX 25 B BLOCK MATCHSHINSUKE NAKAMURA (0pts, 0-0) vs HIROOKI GOTO (0pts, 0-0)It was main event time in Twin Messe Shizuoka, between two previous winners of the G1 Climax tournament, with one man representing CHAOS, the winner of the 2012 edition of the tournament. Meanwhile his opponent, one-half of the IWGP Tag Team Champions, the winner of the 2008 edition of the G1. An interesting mix here, as both men are former IWGP Intercontinental Champions. "The King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura, fresh off of losing in his pursuit of the IWGP Intercontinental Championship he has held four times before against Roderick Strong at Dominion, wanted to rebound with some much needed momentum in the G1 Climax: whilst Hirooki Goto wanted to reinforce himself as a threat in singles competition, after spending a lot of this year pursuing the tag team ranks alongside Katsuyori Shibata: the two surmounting to success in wins against members of the Bullet Club, as well as the Kingdom at Dominion, resulting in Meiyu Tag becoming two-time IWGP Tag Team Champions.
"The King of Strong Style" emerged on his way to the ring for competition as flamboyant and fierce as ever, despite having suffered previous losses to Roderick Strong recently - Shinsuke Nakamura poised to do good in his first performance of G1 Climax 25 tonight in Shizuoka. He wowed the ecstatic crowd with his showboating, before waiting patiently whilst stretching his legs for the opposition to arrive. Hirooki Goto came out with a no-nonsense style, prepared to take on Shinsuke Nakamura in what should be an intensely hard-hitting match between two veterans of the New Japan locker room. Goto held the IWGP Tag Team Championship high in the face of Nakamura as both men met in the centre of the ring for a face off, before backing up into their respective corners of the ring.
Both men stood on the opposite side of the ring from the other, the crowd split between both Nakamura and Goto, two men that have been fan favourites of the New Japan crowd previously leading up to this match - the result of the ongoing rivalries between CHAOS and Sekigun positioned against the Bullet Club faction. The bell sounded, and this one got underway with Shinsuke and Hirooki Goto circling the ring, their eyes not detached from the other, and this one began with Nakamura strolling casually into a lock-up with Goto, who quickly switched over into a wristlock applied on Nakamura. Goto kept the wristlock applied, even wrenching on the wrist, but Nakamura - his agility often underestimated - managed to forward roll to his feet, tripping Goto simultaneously, knocking Goto on his back with Nakamura now wrenching and twisting the ankle.
Nakamura continued to work over the ankle, but Goto was able to kick Nakamura off. Back on their feet now, Shinsuke charged Goto but got taken down with a headlock takedown, and Goto now had the advantage - but Nakamura was able to grab Goto with his long legs in a headscissors. Goto managed to roll onto his knees in the hold and broke free, before taking the arm of Nakamura again - and back on their feet again, Goto applied another wristlock. Goto wrenched more than before, but Nakamura was able to cartwheel out of the hold, before ducking a forearm from Goto - Nakamura and Goto stalemating, as the Shizuoka crowd lit up in ovation after a strong first exchange in this main event! Nakamura grinned whilst Goto approached Nakamura again. Goto immediately threw a forearm followed by a second Nakamura's way: before whipping Shinsuke off the ropes, but Nakamura switched it around and then dropped down to avoid Goto - Nakamura looking for a swift knee to the gut, but Goto blocked it with a leg kick, then tried to legsweep Nakamura - who jumped over it. Nakamura looked for a stomp on Goto, who dodged it. Nakamura tried again just for Goto to keep moving out of the way. Nakamura then swung for a spinkick, but Goto was just out of his reach - and both men were met in a face off again!
Goto confronted Nakamura without showing any signs of backing down, "Aramusha" cornering Nakamura against the ropes, but Shinsuke managed to turn it around, and the referee ordered the break - just as the "King of Strong Style" laid his head against the chest of Goto in a relaxed state. Nakamura backed off to showboat a little more, but Goto immediately came at him, striking Shinsuke with forearm after forearm. Goto kicked Shinsuke in the gut, then locked in a side headlock on Nakamura. Shinsuke struggled to find a way out of the hold, but Nakamura was able to run Goto off the ropes - a shoulder block from Goto, that did not nudge Nakamura! Nakamura took this time to hit the ropes, this time connecting with a forearm that Goto simply absorbed. Goto demanded Shinsuke bring some hurt, and this prompted Shinsuke to deliver three forearm strikes, before Goto came back with a back elbow, two forearm strikes following.
Goto sent Nakamura off the ropes before looking for a hiptoss, "Aramusha" however unable to lift Shinsuke, who delivered a knee strike to the gut, then backflipped himself with his leg elevated over the back of Goto's head: Nakamura attempting a back suplex, but Goto was able to block it, a back elbow strike connecting: and Goto turned it into a suplex, taking Nakamura down, and giving Goto the clear advantage at this point in time! Goto, one-half of the IWGP Tag Team Champions, picked Nakamura up to his feet, then whipped him fiercely into the corner. Goto approached him and began to dish out standing lariat upon standing lariat on the "King of Strong Style". Shinsuke tried to fight back with a forearm strike again, but Goto cut him off, then backed up. Goto looked prepared for a charging lariat, but Nakamura managed to move out of the way and Goto got the corner padding in his face! Nakamura picked Goto up, trying to fireman's carry him across the top rope - Nakamura backwards rolling, then looking for the high knee in the corner: but Goto got down and fought him off with a swift back elbow!
Goto forced Nakamura into the corner, where he laid into him with forearms and a big open hand chop: "Aramusha" now backing away and executing the corner lariat, just taking Nakamura down to the mat! Goto followed with an elbow drop and a cover attempt - only getting a short two count at this time. Goto resorted to the chinlock now whilst driving his knee into the back of Nakamura's shoulder: the Meiyu Tag member trying to restrain Nakamura from going on the offense anytime soon. Shinsuke however was disobedient, fighting his way up to his feet, and finally breaking out with a sharp forearm strike to the jaw of Goto. Goto however fought back with a knee driven into the abdomen: Goto sending Nakamura into the corner again now, where Goto lined Nakamura up, and looked for the spinning wheel kick in the corner: Nakamura side stepping it, before going over and stomping into Hirooki: Nakamura now following with the Strong Style footchoke in the corner!
Nakamura then picked Goto up and fireman's carried him over across the top ropes: Nakamura backwards rolling and missing the running knee in the corner again as Goto dodged it. Goto dove off the top rope and jumped over Nakamura, landing on his feet, but Nakamura caught him with a back elbow - the "King of Strong Style" trying for an enzuigiri, but Goto got his hands in the way: Goto driving Nakamura down hard with a back suplex, the cover however, only getting two at this time! Goto had gotten into the driver's seat now, picking Nakamura up and immediately clubbing him in the back of the head with an overhead forearm! Goto was relentless, following up with a big open hand chop to the chest. Nakamura managed to get back into the fight with a big lifting knee into the chest and abdomen of Goto, but Goto immediately kneed him back and sent him reeling into the corner.
Goto charged and connected with the spinning wheel kick in the corner, before Goto lifted Nakamura up, hoisting him backwards on the top rope - Goto immediately snapping him down with a draping neckbreaker! He made the cover, but Nakamura again managed to kick out before the three. Hirooki Goto was going to any length to try and beat the "King of Strong Style" in both men's first appearance in this year's G1 Climax tournament: Goto cutting Nakamura's recovery off with a deep knee drop into the spine and kidney of Nakamura. Goto was targeting the spine now, as Nakamura continued to try and squirm his way back into control. Hirooki lifted up both feet of Nakamura, trying to thread his foot through for a potential Sharpshooter, inspired by the legendary Riki Choshu: but Nakamura managed to kick Goto in the face! Nakamura did it again to break him off, and Nakamura rolled backwards to his knees, ducking a lariat and executing a big boot, stunning Goto!
Nakamura looked to try and follow up, looking for the lungblower, but Goto managed to elbow his way out of it - missing a big chest kick, and Nakamura capitalized with a big enzuigiri stunning Goto again! Nakamura finally nailed the lungblower on Hirooki Goto: Nakamura covering, but Goto was able to kick out at two. "The King of Strong Style" however was fast to move, needing to weaken Goto down some more, but Goto was able to block an attempt made at an armbar, Goto rolling out of it and taking a slight breather, crawling over to the corner. Shinsuke was very fast to follow though, delivering two stomps to the gut of Goto, before clubbing at him with two big forearms! Nakamura lifted Goto up to the top rope, now going for a big move as he followed him up to the second rope. Shinsuke delivered two more big elbows to the face of Hirooki Goto, Nakamura suddenly getting him on his shoulders, potentially for a Landslide - Nakamura's old finishing manoeuvre - but Goto was able to elbow his way loose, the Shizuoka crowd peaking now, as Goto suddenly nailed him with a big headbutt to the chin of Nakamura! Goto suddenly lifted Nakamura onto his shoulders, then came off the second rope with the Ushigoroshi off of the second rope, crashing down to the mat across the knee of Goto!
Hirooki Goto was sure to be on the verge of victory now, covering Nakamura, but Nakamura miraculously shot out before the three! Goto was certain that that would have been it, but Shinsuke was not going to allow it, "Aramusha" now picking Nakamura up and attempting to go for a Shouten Kai - but Nakamura was able to use all of his dead weight to drag Goto down to the mat: Nakamura looking at applying a triangle choke on Goto, but it appeared that Nakamura did not get it applied properly, which is when Goto suddenly used all of his strength, managing to pick Nakamura up and drop him down with a thunderous powerbomb! Goto was too exhausted to go for the cover, and both men were down on the mat with no sign of movement for several seconds. Nakamura's back was hurting, as Goto finally managed to recover, Goto going up and picking at the leg of Nakamura, applying the Sasori-Gatame on the "King of Strong Style"! Nakamura's back was already in pain before this match, but now Goto was taking Nakamura to the limit, as Shinsuke groaned in pain, looking for a way loose, Goto meanwhile continuing to try and contort Nakamura in the Sharpshooter!
Nakamura appeared on the verge of submission, when Shinsuke was finally able to crawl, and he crawled as much as he could: until Goto suddenly dropped the second leg, and the single legged Boston crab was now applied! Nakamura continued to groan in pain, his back bent incorrectly now, but Nakamura was quickly able to reach out and grab the bottom rope! Goto was in disbelief, but he knew with Nakamura's back in not so great shape, it was now his time to strike! Goto lifted Nakamura up and attempting the Tokko Lariat, but Nakamura ducked the lariat and executed a crane kick across the back of Goto's neck! Nakamura followed with a spinkick, taking Goto down! Nakamura collapsed seemingly on top of Goto, covering his head and holding him down for several knee strikes to the head, not allowing his opponent to get back up and out of this. Shinsuke then looked for an inverted powerslam, but Goto landed on his feet, the Tokko Lariat this time executed! Goto picked Nakamura up and now attempted to go for another Ushigoroshi, but Nakamura landed on his feet, then was able to deliver a Ushigoroshi of his own!
Nakamura was desperate to end this match, his back visibly bothering him, as Shinsuke found it hard and needed the ropes to get up to his knees. The "King of Strong Style" met "Aramusha" on their knees, with Goto clubbing Nakamura with a forearm, but Nakamura fired back with several of his own. Both men repeated this on their feet, a war of strikes emerging - but Goto suddenly fired at Nakamura with a headbutt again! Goto looked for the Shouten Kai, lifting Nakamura up in the air...when Nakamura used his long legs to strike Goto on the top of the skull with a knee strike! Goto dropped Nakamura on his feet, and Nakamura executed the inverted powerslam, driving Goto down hard! Nakamura used the ropes to drag himself up to the second turnbuckle: Nakamura coming off with a huge BomaYe! Nakamura hooked the leg, but Goto was able to kick out still! Nakamura got even more pumped up now, wanting to get the job done, and he dropped to his knees in stalking Goto, letting out one big YeaOH!, Nakamura then charging and striking Goto with another BomaYe! Nakamura covered Goto, and this match was over!Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura (2pts, 1-0) in 20:21 [****½] "The King of Strong Style" had managed to pick up his first victory of the G1 Climax tournament in 2015! Shinsuke Nakamura appeared exhausted, but he slowly managed to find his way to his feet, his back riving in pain and it being evident in his facial expressions, but Nakamura had managed to score the win against Hirooki Goto in a hard-hitting clash between two New Japan veterans! Hirooki Goto rolled himself out to the floor, the IWGP Tag Team Champion eating defeat on this night, but having a lot of opportunities left to try and claim the B block for himself. Nakamura showboated for the crowd, before taking a microphone. Goto disappeared to the back, next to compete against Doc Gallows on July 25 in Takamatsu.
Nakamura expressed how much pain he was in right now, but it was nothing that a cold beer could heal. Shinsuke talked about his previous G1 win being in 2012, and the list of his adversaries in the B block this year surmounting to be a great challenge, but alas, it is all fun - and only one man will remain. And that man will be him. Shinsuke said he doesn't care for how talented each man is, what their strengths and weaknesses may be - they will all fall to the BomaYe, and maybe even more than that. Nakamura proclaimed that this is the year that he will make it about him and no other. Nakamura showboated with one more YeaOH! before leaving, his next match set for July 25 in Takamatsu against Bad Luck Fale. The announcers then ran down the night's events whilst the crowd filtered out of Shizuoka, this night's broadcast coming to a close.
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Post by DTP. on Jul 13, 2016 22:51:33 GMT -5
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Post by DTP. on Jul 14, 2016 16:54:42 GMT -5
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Post by DTP. on Jul 21, 2016 14:27:17 GMT -5
| NJPW G1 CLIMAX 25: DAY THREE Friday, July 24, 2015 - Kyoto City Budokan Center - Kyoto, Honshu |
KARL ANDERSON (BULLET CLUB) | G1 CLIMAX 25: A BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | | | G1 CLIMAX 25: A BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | A.J. STYLES (BULLET CLUB) | | G1 CLIMAX 25: A BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | HIROSHI TANAHASHI (SEKIGUN) | KATSUYORI SHIBATA (SEKIGUN) | G1 CLIMAX 25: A BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | | TETSUYA NAITO (LOS INGOBERNABLES) | G1 CLIMAX 25: A BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | DAISUKE SEKIMOTO (G.B.H.) | RUSH (LOS INGOBERNABLES) TOGI MAKABE (G.B.H.) | SPECIAL TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | KAZUCHIKA OKADA (CHAOS) TORU YANO (CHAOS) | SHINSUKE NAKAMURA (CHAOS) YOSHI-HASHI (CHAOS) | SPECIAL TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | BAD LUCK FALE (CHAOS) YUJIRO TAKAHASHI (CHAOS) | YUJI NAGATA (SEKIGUN) MANABU NAKANISHI (SEKIGUN)
| SPECIAL TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | RODERICK STRONG (ROH) JUICE ROBINSON | DOC GALLOWS (BULLET CLUB) TAMA TONGA (BULLET CLUB) CODY HALL (BULLET CLUB) | SPECIAL SIX MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | HIROOKI GOTO (SEKIGUN) CAPTAIN NEW JAPAN (SEKIGUN) YOHEI KOMATSU | JUSHIN LIGER (SEKIGUN) MÁSCARA DORADA (SEKIGUN) DAVID FINLAY | SPECIAL SIX MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | TIGER MASK (SEKIGUN) RYUSUKE TAGUCHI (SEKIGUN) JAY WHITE |
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Post by DTP. on Jul 21, 2016 20:47:59 GMT -5
| NJPW G1 CLIMAX 25: DAY THREE
Friday, July 24, 2015 - Kyoto City Budokan Center - Kyoto, Honshu |
The opening signature aired, a presentation of New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2015. Following this came a video package that ran down the history of the G1 Climax - a tournament so gruelling and historic that many in professional wrestling all wish to compete, with the additional bonus of going on to challenge for an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match in the future. A rundown on the A block participants aired, which is what tonight is focused on - consisting of A.J. Styles, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi, Tetsuya Naito, Daisuke Sekimoto, Karl Anderson, Tomohiro Ishii, Katsuyori Shibata, Tomoaki Honma and Michael Elgin, as well as their accolades and finishing moves. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the biggest tournament in New Japan history was finally here.
Cut to Kyoto City, where the audience patiently waited for the show to begin, when ring announcer Kimihiko Ozaki stood in the middle of the ring, listing the matches for the evening to the Honshu-based crowd:
- Héroes Voladores (Máscara Dorada & Jushin Liger) & David Finlay vs Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & Jay White
- BULLET CLUB (Doc Gallows, Tama Tonga & Cody Hall) vs Hirooki Goto, Captain New Japan & Yohei Komatsu
- Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi vs Roderick Strong & Juice Robinson
- CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura & YOSHI-HASHI) vs BULLET CLUB (Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi)
- Rush & Togi Makabe vs CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada & Toru Yano)
- Tetsuya Naito vs Daisuke Sekimoto in a G1 Climax 25 A Block match
- Katsuyori Shibata vs Michael Elgin in a G1 Climax 25 A Block match
- Tomohiro Ishii vs Hiroshi Tanahashi in a G1 Climax 25 A Block match
- Tomoaki Honma vs A.J. Styles in a G1 Climax 25 A Block match
- Karl Anderson vs Kota Ibushi in a G1 Climax 25 A Block match
1. Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & Jay White def. Héroes Voladores (Máscara Dorada & Jushin Liger) & David Finlay in 8:15 after the Boston crab by White on Finlay.
2. BULLET CLUB (Doc Gallows, Tama Tonga & Cody Hall) def. Hirooki Goto, Captain New Japan & Yohei Komatsu in 9:11 after the Veleno by Tonga on Komatsu.
3. Roderick Strong & Juice Robinson def. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi in 8:31 after the roll-up by Strong on Nagata.
4. BULLET CLUB (Bad Luck Fale & Yujiro Takahashi) def. CHAOS (Shinsuke Nakamura & YOSHI-HASHI) in 11:10 after the Bad Luck Fall by Fale on YOSHI-HASHI.
5. Rush & Togi Makabe def. CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada & Toru Yano) in 12:27 after the Rush Driver on Yano.
- 15 MINUTE INTERMISSION -
6. G1 CLIMAX 25 A BLOCK MATCH TETSUYA NAITO (2pts, 1-0) vs DAISUKE SEKIMOTO (0pts, 0-1)It was an eventful night four nights ago in the Hokkaido Sports Center for the NEVER Openweight Champion, potentially memorable in the worst possible way, as "Muscle Monster" Daisuke Sekimoto lost his first singles match to date in New Japan Pro Wrestling, not to mention, his first match of his first ever G1 Climax tournament. Granted, it was against a world class talent like the IWGP Heavyweight Champion "Phenomenal One" A.J. Styles, but nonetheless, Sekimoto expected to come into this tournament with a lot more momentum, hoping to plough through the competition for the Great Bash Heel faction. On the contrary, Tetsuya Naito was able to score a win against Kota Ibushi in his first tournament match, and with his new attitude being such a contrast to his former "Stardust Genius" persona, Naito wishes to continue his winning ways, in hopes of becoming a two-time winner of the G1 Climax. But first, he had to get past a seething NEVER Openweight Champion.
Daisuke Sekimoto came down to the ring with the NEVER Openweight Championship over his shoulder, the "Muscle Monster" still proudly displaying his symbol of domination that he started in April - his first appearance in New Japan Pro Wrestling under contract. Sekimoto looked very angry with his loss sustained to A.J. Styles nights earlier, which could either be an advantage when facing the smaller Tetsuya Naito - who is also a former NEVER Openweight Champion - or a disadvantage, given the intellect of "El Ingobernable". Naito meanwhile came out playing mind games with Sekimoto, dressed in the three piece suit, whilst hiding behind a hooded mask resembling a skull - Naito taking his sweet time, whilst also trying to push the Young Lions around, forcing Yohei Komatsu to hold down the middle rope allowing him to enter the ring. Naito very slowly dressed down to his gear, whilst Sekimoto was getting pumped up - clearly impatient with the Los Ingobernables representative, a rebellious faction down in Mexico.
The bell finally sounded after what seemed like an eternity of Tetsuya Naito's arrival, with Naito slumping out of the corner and cracking his neck, Daisuke Sekimoto meanwhile emerging towards Naito, who simply slumped out through the ropes, trying to fend off an overly pursuing Sekimoto, the referee restraining the Great Bash Heel member. Naito climbed out to the apron, not particularly interested in combating Daisuke here and now. Naito finally re-entered the ring, but as soon as Daisuke came back for contact with him, Naito instead dropped down to the mat and slipped out to the floor, prompting a negative reaction from the Kyoto City crowd, craving the action of the G1 Climax. Naito appeared to be on his way out, getting ready to leave as the referee began the count, much to Sekimoto's chagrin. Daisuke and the referee had words, all the while Naito suddenly turned back, hitting the ring and jumping the "Muscle Monster" from behind! Naito delivered several clubbing forearms to Daisuke, before sending him through the ropes to the floor.
Naito was playing head games with the NEVER Openweight Champion, "El Ingobernable" following Daisuke out to the floor, where Tetsuya grabbed a steel chair from the broadcast section at ringside - slamming the chair right across the spine of the larger Sekimoto! Naito raked the eyes of Sekimoto for further insult, before sending Sekimoto shoulder first into the ring post, taking Daisuke down to the floor! Naito climbed back inside and watched back at the recovering Sekimoto begin to try and reach his feet, Naito looking poised and hitting the ropes looking for a topé, but instead, Naito hit the opposite ropes and rolled forward, landing on his back in a relaxed state! "TRANQUILO!" he yelled, having pulled one over now on the fans in addition to his opponent.
Sekimoto was able to get back into the ring, but was greeted by a stomp across the back of the head by "El Ingobernable", as Naito then picked Daisuke up to his feet, then went back to the forearm strikes, and a big elbow club across the back of the head rattled Naito. Tetsuya decided to hit the ropes, but came back just to get tossed up into the air, and slammed right down on his front! "Muscle Monster" used his unreal strength to pick Naito up with his hands, tossing him into the corner, then dishing out the chops to Naito in the corner! Naito in a dazed state came out of the corner, when Sekimoto tried to lift Naito above his head in the Argentine backbreaker rack - but Naito was able to weasel his way out of it, then targeting the arm with a dropkicking to the shoulder! Sekimoto held his arm but didn't go down, when Naito connected with an enzuigiri rocking the larger NEVER Openweight Champion: Naito now looking for a tornado DDT, but Sekimoto managed to shove Naito off of him - Sekimoto trying for a lariat, but Naito ducked it, hung onto the arm for a floatover, and executed a DDT on Sekimoto for a near fall!
Tetsuya Naito remarked as Daisuke Sekimoto held his arm, and just as planned, "El Ingobernable" had found a weakness in the "Muscle Monster"s arsenal. Naito smirked confidently and knowingly, before waiting for Sekimoto to begin crawling, stomping away at the shoulder some more. Naito was working at taking the shoulder of Sekimoto's out of the equation, making it more difficult for Sekimoto to toss Naito around. Naito kept stomping, before hitting the ropes and executing a standing somersault senton, right across the back and effecting the arm of Daisuke further! But instead of following up, Naito simply stood still, and soaked in the atmosphere of the Budokan Center here in Kyoto. Sekimoto meanwhile slowly recovered in the corner, just as Naito came running with a charging dropkick, landing on the apron. Naito tripped Sekimoto down in the corner, before executing a slingshot dropkick on the NEVER Openweight Champion, Naito covering Daisuke, but only for a two as Sekimoto had more in the tank!
Tetsuya Naito now looked to do more, picking at Sekimoto and clashing with him on another forearm strike to the jaw. But Daisuke ignored it, absorbing the blow and looking very unsatisfied with Naito's attempts! Naito continued to elbow Sekimoto in the jaw, but Daisuke eventually fired back, delivering four hard forearms consecutively, Naito trying to fight back, just to get shoved backwards into the ropes, and right back into a shoulder block from the "Muscle Monster"! Sekimoto followed a reeling Naito over to the corner, where he began to dish out standing lariat upon lariat, each one devastating Naito. Sekimoto then picked Naito up, dropping him with a body slam! Daisuke shook the pain away from his arm, but began to leave for the top rope, climbing up carefully - perhaps for the frog splash that Sekimoto has been known for - Sekimoto reaching the top, but Naito was able to cut him off with an enzuigiri! Naito, perhaps desperately, climbed up to the second rope, bringing more punishment to Sekimoto with several elbow strikes. Naito then climbed up, and came off with a top rope hurricanrana, bringing Sekimoto crashing down to the mat! Naito covered, but Daisuke still kicked out.
Naito was in disbelief but still kept going, now stalking Daisuke up to his feet before striking from behind: looking for a German suplex, but Sekimoto elbowed his way free. Sekimoto suddenly fired up, a slap to Naito, and another one, before impressively connecting with an enzuigiri! Naito was dazed, but as Daisuke got up to his feet, Naito fired an enzuigiri of his own, stunning Sekimoto now. Naito looked for and connected with the tornado DDT, using the corner for elevation - Naito covering, but Daisuke suddenly kicked out at two again! Everything "El Ingobernable" was throwing the NEVER Openweight Champion's way was backfiring, as Naito then decided to pick the "Muscle Monster" up to his feet. Naito got him up, then looking for the standing Shiranui that put Kota Ibushi away on Monday - Sekimoto however catching Naito on his shoulder, and tossing Naito like a lawndart into the corner pad head first! Sekimoto grabbed Naito from behind, delivering a bridging German suplex - and this match was over!Winner: Daisuke Sekimoto (2pts, 1-1) in 12:37 [****] The NEVER Openweight Champion had managed to pick up the win on this night, evening up his score after a disappointing night in Sapporo against A.J. Styles. Tetsuya Naito rolled out of the ring, visibly frustrated, as Naito shoved aside the Young Lions that tried to help him, and tossed his icepack at them, "El Ingobernable" fired up about losing, but as Daisuke Sekimoto celebrated and also stared him down, Naito thought better than to confront the "Muscle Monster" again, instead leaving - Tetsuya Naito, next set to take on Hiroshi Tanahashi in the G1 Climax tournament. Meanwhile, Daisuke Sekimoto left with the title in hand, Sekimoto next set to do battle with Karl Anderson in Hiroshima on July 26.
7. G1 CLIMAX 25 A BLOCK MATCH KATSUYORI SHIBATA (2pts, 1-0) vs MICHAEL ELGIN (0pts, 0-1)It was a good night for Katsuyori Shibata on July 20 for the first night of the G1 Climax - "the Wrestler", who returned to New Japan Pro Wrestling after taking a hiatus for kickboxing three years ago this August, as Shibata was able to defeat Tomoaki Honma. On the contrary, his opponent for tonight was a man he has never faced before in this ring, representing Ring of Honor, "Unbreakable" Michael Elgin. Elgin had a strong showing on his first night in a New Japan ring, being able to go toe to toe with a renowned hard hitter in the former NEVER Openweight Champion, Tomohiro Ishii - ultimately being defeated in that contest. But here, Elgin was about to go up against another hard striker, who has experience in mixed martial arts and kickboxing, the IWGP Tag Team Champion, Katsuyori Shibata.
"Big" Mike made his way down to the ring with a Canadian flag draped across his shoulders, Elgin representing his homeland in this tournament, joining the likes of Owen Hart and Chris Jericho as Canadian gaijin to compete in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Elgin received a humble ovation, the crowd still familiarizing themselves with the work ethic of the Ring of Honor star. His opponent Katsuyori Shibata, wasted no time storming down to the ring, as serious as ever, one-half of the IWGP Tag Team Champions, looking to continue his hot streak by coming into this match, engaging in a tense staredown with Elgin upon arriving. Shibata removed his title belt and went over to wait patiently for the bell to sound; Shibata looking to continue his record against a man of Elgin's calibre.
The bell sounded, and this one got underway, with the fans in Kyoto City Budokan Center supporting Katsuyori Shibata, "the Wrestler" and "Unbreakable" Michael Elgin emerging for another faceoff, with Elgin not backing down for a second from the fighter. Shibata began to get into offense, delivering a big forearm to Elgin that came returned, and Elgin fired back with an elbow of his own, followed by a second one. Shibata appeared effected, but sucked it up and came back with three more big elbow strikes to the side of the head of Elgin. Elgin fired back with a clubbing blow to the back of Shibata, before rocking Shibata with an uppercut and another elbow, which Shibata absorbed yet fell backwards into the ropes on - suddenly coming back with a big boot right into the chest and neck area of Elgin. Shibata opened up Elgin with some concentrated leg kicks, trying to take the logs from underneath the much larger Elgin - who weighs in at 250 pounds.
Shibata continued with the leg kicks that Elgin wished for, before going for a chest kick - Elgin blocking it by grabbing the foot of Shibata, and Elgin clubbed Shibata with another elbow smash to the jaw. Elgin attempting a rolling elbow, but unfortunately Shibata managed to block it, then daringly tried to shoulder block Elgin, who instead hit the ropes and rebounded with a shoulder block knocking Shibata down! Elgin picked Shibata up and whipped him into the corner, "Big Mike" now charging over to Shibata, looking for a corner splash, but Elgin got nothing but the corner. Shibata immediately got up and went over, clubbing Elgin with multiple elbow strikes, followed by three big chest kicks. Shibata was doing his best to wind Elgin early on, as Shibata demonstrated by stepping away, charging into Elgin with a dropkick in the corner! Elgin remained on his feet, as Shibata connected with a second running dropkick. Elgin appeared to be on the verge of falling down, but Shibata charged for a third dropkick, just for Elgin to catch Shibata in his waiting arms, the Canadian then tossing Shibata across the ring!
Elgin was demonstrated his surreal power against Shibata, as Elgin then picked Shibata up and hoisted Shibata up into the air, the suplex in motion - but Elgin would not let Shibata down for the drop, leaving him hanging upside down in the air! Elgin had Shibata up for fifteen seconds, before squatting repeatedly as the time period reached thirty seconds - finally dropping Shibata from the stalling suplex! Elgin covered, but Shibata powered out at two. Elgin had to do more to keep Shibata down, as Elgin now picked Katsuyori up to his feet, "Big Mike" looking for a lariat on "the Wrestler", but Shibata ducked it and came back with more leg kicks landing on the enormous shins of the Canadian. Shibata would not let up, then rocking Elgin with an uppercut of his own. Shibata sized Elgin up and charged for another dropkick in the corner, this time knocking Elgin down in the lower corner! Shibata saw Elgin down and followed up, hitting the ropes and connecting with a big boot in the side of Elgin's head, followed by a second one, and then finishing with a charging dropkick to the face!
Elgin was down, and Shibata tried to pick "Unbreakable" Michael Elgin up, using a lot of strength in order to do so, as Elgin tried to push Shibata away, just for Shibata to connect with a headkick rocking Elgin, who was on his knees! Shibata forced Elgin over to his back, covering, but only for a near fall at this time. Shibata was unable to put Elgin away yet, as Elgin continued to power out of Shibata's attempts at offense designed to put him away. The IWGP Tag Team Champion now picked Elgin up to his feet, looking to apply an octopus stretch, but he was unable to get his leg over the back of Elgin's head - his body purely too big, which is when Elgin picked him up on his shoulders, now looking for a fireman's carry type move - Shibata however able to slip out somehow, Shibata suddenly delivering a huge kick to the back of Elgin! Shibata lit Elgin up with further kicks, particularly going for the legs, but Elgin grabbed a hold of Shibata, picking him up and delivering a thunderous powerbomb into the corner!
Elgin now looked to go for the finishing Elgin Bomb, lifting Shibata up onto his shoulders, but "the Wrestler" was able to land on the second rope instead - Shibata kicking Elgin right in the face from this angle. Katsuyori came off the top with a missile dropkick that knocked "Big Mike" to a knee: Shibata then connecting with a huge spinkick to the back of Elgin's head...just for Elgin to fire back with a jumping enzuigiri! The agility amazed the Kyoto City crowd, as Elgin then got back up to his feet, whipping Shibata off the ropes, looking for a lariat - Shibata ducking under it, but Elgin connected with a huge discus lariat taking Shibata down! Elgin once again got into position to put Shibata away, going for the Elgin Bomb, but Shibata was able to break from between Elgin's legs - a huge headbutt rocking "Big Mike"s world. Shibata then managed to power Elgin onto his shoulders - a huge Go 2 Penalty Kick connecting! Elgin collapsed to all fours, before Shibata hit the ropes, connecting with not one, but two huge Penalty Kicks to the chest of Elgin! Shibata covered, and picked up his second victory!Winner: Katsuyori Shibata (4pts, 2-0) in 13:19 [***¾] "The Wrestler" emerged victorious, this win putting him, at least temporarily, in the leading position of the A block, the first member of the block to score two wins, remaining undefeated in the process! Michael Elgin remained down on the mat, whilst Shibata took his IWGP Tag Team Championship and left, next to take on the "Stone Pitbull" Tomohiro Ishii on July 25. Meanwhile Michael Elgin received a modest applause from the appreciative Kyoto City crowd, the audience beginning to take to "Unbreakable" Michael Elgin in those closing moments. Elgin left, next to face the IWGP Heavyweight Champion and a familiar foe in "Phenomenal One" A.J. Styles on July 25 in Hiroshima.
8. G1 CLIMAX 25 A BLOCK MATCH HIROSHI TANAHASHI (2pts, 1-0) vs TOMOHIRO ISHII (2pts, 1-0)It was two years ago during the G1 Climax tournament that Tomohiro Ishii and Hiroshi Tanahashi last faced off in singles competition. At Korakuen Hall on a hot August night, the "Stone Pitbull" was able to knock off a win against the "Once in a Century Talent" in a match where Ishii was the unlikely underdog. But that was two years ago, and a lot has changed since then. Included in this is Tomohiro Ishii's dominance in the NEVER Openweight Championship division, becoming a two-time champion, until he fell to Daisuke Sekimoto back at Wrestling Dontaku in May. Similarly, Hiroshi Tanahashi continued his quest as the Ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling, becoming a seven time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, and defending successfully against all comers, until falling in defeat to A.J. Styles, losing the title at Dominion earlier this month. Tanahashi and Ishii, both reeling after important losses to foes, were coming into this tournament looking for a shot in the arm, and for Tanahashi, the winner of the 2007 G1 Climax tournament, he wanted to win again, just so that he could once again qualify and become IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
Tomohiro Ishii walked to the ring with his ever menacing look, marching his way down and not wasting any time climbing inside and waiting there - awaiting the arrival of his opponent tonight. A former three-time NEVER Openweight Champion, the "Stone Pitbull" looked to defeat Hiroshi Tanahashi again tonight in Kyoto City. The "High Fly Star" soon made his way out to the ring, air guitar in tow, as Tanahashi - his ring jacket not displaying the IWGP Heavyweight Championship like in the past - looked a lot different due to the lack of gold around his waist. Despite this he seemed determined and surprisingly chilled, before stepping inside the squared circle, and meeting eyes with Ishii from across the ring.
This match got underway as the crowd strongly supported Tanahashi in Kyoto, Tomohiro Ishii wasting no time in quickly confronting Tanahashi in a staredown, Tanahashi butting heads with Ishii in a fierce faceoff before Ishii suddenly looked to forearm Tanahashi - who ducked it, then delivered a big chop, followed up by a second to the "Stone Pitbull". Ishii came back with a chop of his own, and immediately a chop war emerged, each hand brushing off the opponent's chest with no turning back. Ishii managed to wind Tanahashi, and then began to deliver some hard-hitting forearms to the face of Hiroshi, who dropped to a knee after three in a row. Ishii whipped the "High Fly Star" off the ropes, but Hiroshi came back with a big forearm smash, followed by three more forearms, before suddenly hitting the ropes again, this time another flying forearm smash knocking Ishii down from his feet!
Tanahashi had rattled Ishii in this opening exchange, and the Ace looked to follow up, picking Ishii up and looking to apply a side headlock, but Ishii managed to lift him off of his feet. The former NEVER Openweight Champion was using his strength as an advantage, but Tanahashi managed to rope Ishii down with a headlock takedown, Tanahashi having neutralized the hard-hitting striker in Ishii, and making him play by the Ace's rules in mat wrestling. Tanahashi transitioned the headlock into a headscissors hold, trying to wear Ishii down and keep him in place, but Ishii was able to slip out, covering Tanahashi for a one count, as Hiroshi got back up to his feet. The "Once in a Century Talent" delivered a dropkick to Ishii, before getting back up to his feet, hitting the ropes trying for a crossbody this time - but the "Stone Pitbull" caught him, delivering a body slam, followed by picking Tanahashi up and delivering a big German suplex, sending Tanahashi across the ring!
Ishii looked to be dishing out the punishment now, the representative from CHAOS not allowing Hiroshi to have his way with him. Ishii saw Tanahashi using the ropes to rise back up to his feet, when Ishii rushed the corner, attempting to go for a corner splash - Tanahashi getting his feet in the way at this time. Tanahashi climbed out to the apron wisely, delivering a Dragon Screw legwhip across the middle rope, causing Ishii to fall down to the mat. Hiroshi climbed up to the top rope, perhaps for a quick High Fly Flow, but instead came off with a somersault senton; covering Ishii, but Tomohiro powered out before the two. Ishii had been through a battle on the first night of the tournament four nights ago against Michael Elgin, whilst Hiroshi Tanahashi had come out on top against Karl Anderson on that night - both men undefeated thus far, and not wanting to give up this bout in a hurry.
"The Stone Pitbull" attempted to get back up to his feet now, whilst Tanahashi delivered more forearms to the face of Ishii, just for Ishii to shove Hiroshi into the corner, then dishing out chops and elbow smashes in succession, the combination startling Tanahashi, until Tanahashi came back with some chops of his own, cornering Ishii now! Tanahashi backed up and looked to charge Ishii with a splash into the corner, but Ishii was able to step away from it, followed by a huge lariat in the corner, rocking Tanahashi! Hiroshi, dazed, came stumbling out of the corner now, when Ishii suddenly delivered a big powerslam, covering Tanahashi, but the Ace was able to kick out before the three. Tomohiro had more work to do with the "High Fly Star", picking the former seven time IWGP Heavyweight Champion up to his feet, then whipping him hard into the corner.
Ishii was looking at going for the charging lariat into the corner again, but Tanahashi was able to dodge it, and Ishii hit the corner knee first! Tanahashi came from behind with a corner splash, followed up with a second Dragon Screw legwhip, taking Ishii down, with the "Once in a Century Talent" gaining an advantage in taking the leg of Ishii's out from beneath him. The powerlifter in Ishii would surely struggle with his powerful attacks with his leg out of the equation, as Tanahashi stalked Ishii from his feet, a low dropkick to the seated Ishii taking him down - a pin attempt, and another two at this time. Tanahashi stomped the leg of Ishii repeatedly, trying to work over the leg and force Ishii to show mercy in this G1 Climax bout. Tanahashi attempted to slyly go for the leg again, but Ishii was able to back elbow Hiroshi away, before charging and powering Hiroshi up to the top rope in a seated position.
Ishii approached Tanahashi, delivering three more big elbow smashes as Tanahashi remained straddling on the top rope. Ishii quickly tried to climb up, perhaps to look for a superplex at this time, but Tanahashi was able to come back, delivering two big forearm smashes, followed up by a big uppercut that rocked Tomohiro and knocked him down! Ishii quickly tried to get back up to a vertical basis, but in doing so, Tanahashi attempted a High Fly Flow crossbody: Ishii managing to catch him, then dropping him with a gutwrench suplex! The strength of Ishii was showing, picking Tanahashi up immediately and dropping him down hard with a powerbomb! Ishii covered, but Tanahashi valiantly managed to kick out before the three!
Tomohiro Ishii thought for certain that he stood a chance in putting down the "Once in a Century Talent" here, the "Stone Pitbull" slowly rising back up to his feet, shaking off the damage done to his leg during this match. Ishii sized Tanahashi up, stalking him, before looking for a lariat off the ropes, Tanahashi however managing to pull the ropes down, sending Ishii out to the apron! Tanahashi went over and clubbed Ishii with two forearm strikes, before dodging a shoulder thrust from his foe; Tanahashi taking the leg of Ishii and delivering another Dragon Screw legwhip across the middle rope, sending Ishii falling to the floor outside of the ring!
Ishii was down on the floor holding his leg, and struggled to get back up to his feet whilst the referee initiated a ring out count. Ishii was struggling with his leg, finally able to stand after assistance from the ringside barrier - all the while, Hiroshi Tanahashi was climbing up to the top rope, catching Ishii with the High Fly Flow crossbody, taking Ishii down to the floor again! Tanahashi landed on top of him, then rolled back inside afterwards - Tanahashi finally executing a successful version of the High Fly Flow on the "Stone Pitbull"! The ring out count began again, the referee instigating it, and for a moment it looked really bad, as Ishii was only beginning to move at the count of fifteen - but somehow, he was finally able to slide back inside at the count of nineteen!
Tanahashi appeared more determined than ever to put Ishii away at this point, another Dragon Screw legwhip delivering on the grounded Ishii, twisting his worked over limb even further! Hiroshi followed up, reaching his feet and attempting to go for the Cloverleaf - Ishii managing to kick him away. Ishii was able to get back up to his feet, suddenly flooring Tanahashi with the lariat! Ishii picked Tanahashi up again and delivered a standing lariat for good measure, the pin however only getting a near fall again, with the Ace able to keep in the fight!
Tomohiro Ishii, now going back to the drawing board, lifted Tanahashi up into a seated position then hit the ropes, looking for a sliding lariat, but Tanahashi dodged it, and Ishii went down favoring his knee! Tanahashi now delivered another low dropkick, stunning Ishii. Hiroshi going up to the top rope in a hurry, was now potentially going to go for the High Fly Flow, but Ishii got up to his feet, hastily delivering an agile jumping enzuigiri stunning Tanahashi on the top rope! Ishii went up now, looking to strike Hiroshi further, the "Once in a Century Talent" and the "Stone Pitbull" battling it out with forearm strikes galore - until Tanahashi delivered a headbutt, stunning Ishii! Ishii was stunned, but delivered a headbutt in return, followed by a third one - these brain-murdering headbutts knocking Tanahashi into a dazed state! Ishii powered Tanahashi up onto his shoulders in a superplex, slowly stalling into the superplex landing on the mat!
Ishii was slow to recover, his leg certainly bothering him at this point - but he got up and attempted to go for the sliding lariat again, sizing Hiroshi up - but Tanahashi rolled away, then when Ishii hit the ropes, came from behind, delivering an inverted DDT! Tanahashi looked to go up to the top rope, more slower than before this time, once again looking for the High Fly Flow, but Ishii managed to catch him on his knees as Hiroshi came off the top - a huge lariat taking Tanahashi down to the mat in a heap! Ishii hit the ropes and delivered a killer sliding lariat, before dragging Hiroshi's carcass up - the Ishii Driller falcon arrow piledriver connecting...and Tomohiro Ishii had managed to beat Hiroshi Tanahashi for a second time in G1 tournament competition!Winner: Tomohiro Ishii (4pts, 2-0) in 18:10 [****¾] "The Stone Pitbull" had managed to take the early lead in the A block of G1 Climax 25! A big surprise in Kyoto City, as for the second time in this illustrious tournament's history, Tomohiro Ishii has beaten the "Once in a Century Talent"! Ishii, in yet another star making performance, rose to his feet, favoring his knee this time - overcoming the seven time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, and perhaps continuing the bad luck streak of the Ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling, Hiroshi Tanahashi. Ishii's hand was raised, but Hiroshi Tanahashi was not a happy man after the match - the "High Fly Star" getting up and getting right in Tomohiro's face - another big, heated staredown taking place, with Tanahashi and Ishii exchanging words.
Ishii ended this by walking away, but Tanahashi appeared to be seething with his loss in this match against Ishii. Ishii will next look to extend his lead with a match against Katsuyori Shibata, whilst Hiroshi Tanahashi will continue to look for momentum as he faces Tetsuya Naito on July 26 in Hiroshima!
9. G1 CLIMAX 25 A BLOCK MATCH TOMOAKI HONMA (0pts, 0-1) vs A.J. STYLES w/Doc Gallows (2pts, 1-0)"The Phenomenal One" - who was crowned the IWGP Heavyweight Champion for a second time in his career back on July 5, a mere nineteen days ago - had a very solid outing during the opening night of the twenty-fifth annual G1 Climax on July 20, where he was able to defeat the NEVER Openweight Champion Daisuke Sekimoto in tournament competition, simultaneously giving the "Muscle Monster" his first ever loss in New Japan Pro Wrestling. A.J. Styles, one of four men representing the Bullet Club family of foreign competitors in this tournament, had vowed to go all the way and become the first ever gaijin to win the G1 Climax tournament - another staple to add to his ever-growing catalogue of acollades throughout his sixteen year long career - but he still had a long way left to go. In his way tonight was Sekimoto's ally in Great Bash Heel, Tomoaki Honma. The master of the Kokeshi headbutt, Honma is not a top favourite to win the G1 Climax tournament, but Honma will try, and despite this being his second G1 Climax tournament in two consecutive years, Honma was yet to score a single victory - coming up short against Katsuyori Shibata four nights ago.
Tomoaki Honma received a warm reception as he came down to the ring, Honma, widely supported due to his notoriety in this high, tense tournament bouts, came to the ring slapping his forehead, whilst Honmania ran wild with fans applauding Honma even after the English speaking ring announcer spoke his name aloud. On the contrary, A.J. Styles came to the ring with Doc Gallows behind him waving a flag - Styles with the IWGP Heavyweight Championship smugly around his waist, as Styles approached the ring and pointed the double finger guns at Honma, perhaps an indication to come. Honma was at a disadvantage here, as Gallows goaded him from the apron in A.J.'s corner, whereas Honma had nobody from Great Bash Heel to back him up right now.
The match began, and the cultivated support from Tomoaki Honma's Honmaniacal fanbase began to chant immediately, trying to prepare Tomoaki for this big match against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. A.J. mockingly offered Honma a pre-match handshake, before immediately pulling away - Styles now throwing around the Too Sweet hand signal to booing fans. Kyoto City was definitely behind Honma, as Honma and Styles now circled the ring from the other - the two locking up eventually. Honma was trapped in a wristlock attempt by Styles, but Honma was able to slip out into a hammerlock, trapping Styles now. Styles turned it into a waistlock turned leg sweep, A.J. hastily then darting into a headlock. Honma however was able to reach his feet - just for Styles to take Tomoaki down again with the side headlock really well applied. Honma leaned backwards, Styles' shoulders down in a crucifix pin variation for a one count, but A.J. was prepared.
Honma now gained some momentum, reaching his feet and taking Styles down with a wrist wrench, A.J. going down on the mat with a big thud - Honma now switching into a variation of the Nagata Lock, Honma trying to work over the arm, and when Styles attempted to come out of it, Honma delivered a big headbutt to the side of the elbow. Honma followed with another one, until a wristlock became applied - Styles rolled forwards to his back, then nipped up - Styles cutting Honma off with a knee to the abdomen! A.J. followed suit with a big chop to the chest of Honma, followed by another one, and another one - but with each one, Honma appeared to simply become more annoyed. Honma screamed as he then clocked A.J. with a forearm smash, followed by a second - but Styles immediately came back with a kick to the gut. Styles delivered a body slam to Honma before hitting the ropes in hopes of looking for a knee drop, but Honma was able to roll out of the way, and Styles got nothing but the mat!
Honma rolled up to his feet, delivering a jawbreaker to Styles, rocking A.J. slightly. Honma followed up with a body slam to Styles, then began to slap his head - Honma getting Happy with the Kokeshi headbutt attempt...missed, as Styles managed to move out of the way! Honma had missed yet again, but Styles was fast to get up, this time successfully delivering a jumping knee drop across the back of Tomoaki's head! Styles was adding insult to injury, whilst Doc Gallows could be heard yelling from ringside at how dumb Honma was. A.J. Styles grabbed a sleeper hold on Tomoaki Honma now, but Honma was quick to rush his way into the ropes: Styles whipped off the ropes, but he managed to hang onto them - Honma then charging Styles, just to walk into a beautiful dropkick from the "Phenomenal One"!
Styles stretched his arms wide open to showboat, the Bullet Club leader now gloating and patronizing the loyal Great Bash Heel native, as Styles went for a cover, but only a two count at this time. Styles went to a chinlock on Honma now, knowing that he needed to keep control in this match if he wanted to win against someone as versatile as Tomoaki. But the Kyoto crowd were supportive of Honma and rooted for him - moments later, Honma managed to escape, delivered two big forearm strikes - Honma hitting the ropes and jumping over Styles for a sunset flip - Styles rolling backwards onto all fours, just as Honma rolled backwards to hit the ropes: and Honma suddenly took Styles down with the charging Kokeshi headbutt! Tomoaki covered, but A.J. was able to kick out at two. Styles was getting somewhat of a run for his money against Honma, a positive sign of underestimating the elder Honma.
Tomoaki Honma picked Styles up and delivered another clobbering elbow strike, then followed with another. Honma now, off the ropes, struck A.J. with a shoulder block that didn't budge Styles - Styles instead coming back with multiple forearm shots to the head of Honma, who simply responded by slapping his head and attempting a lariat that Styles ducked - Styles connecting with a back suplex into a facebuster, planting Honma! Styles covered Honma, but again he managed to fire out! A.J. picked Honma back up and sent him into the corner, A.J. charging Honma with a corner splash, as Styles then climbed up to the second rope, looking for the backflipping Stylin' DDT, but Honma got free with a sharp back elbow, followed by a headbutt that stunned Styles! Honma off the ropes, and a bulldog landed, but only gave Honma a near fall.
Tomoaki Honma had the Kyoto City hot and looking for a huge upset, one that would potentially put Honma in line for a future IWGP Heavyweight Championship shot. Honma was sweating it out one-on-one with "the Phenomenal One", who appeared to be slightly out of it thus far in this bout. Honma picked A.J. up and delivered a suplex to the Biz Cliz member, Honma then pointing up to the top rope - Honma potentially looking for the top rope Kokeshi headbutt, but Styles was helped out of the ring by Doc Gallows! Gallows helped A.J. to his feet, "the Outlaw" saving A.J. from disaster with the Kokeshi headbutt, but Honma decided to improvise on the fly - the top rope falling Kokeshi landing on the heads of both Gallows and Styles on the ringside floor! All three men went down, with Honma not really moving, and Styles was right at the bottom of the heap.
The referee began a double count on both men, as Kyoto City tried to root for Honma to get back in this - Honma crawling away from Styles as the count reached ten; Styles meanwhile still down and out, beneath Gallows no less! Approaching sixteen, Honma rolled inside of the ring, and the count was all on A.J., who tried to fight Gallows off of him: Styles now, somehow able to break the count at nineteen, the upset of the century not to be, as this match rolled on! Honma stomped on A.J., then slugged it out with a forearm to Styles. He delivered another one, but Styles was able to come back with a leg kick, a body punch, a right hand, and then a spinning back elbow crashing into the jaw of Honma! Styles hit the ropes, but Honma caught him with the charging Kokeshi headbutt!
Honma was not done with Styles yet, picking A.J. up and now propping him over his shoulder for a sit-out piledriver on Styles! Honma covered A.J., but the IWGP Heavyweight Champion was still able to kick out at two! This match was all action, with Honma desperate to put Styles away. Honma stalked Styles, getting prepared to go for the attack, going for a German suplex, but Styles broke free with two back elbow - and a Pelé kick clocked Honma on top of the head! Honma fell into the ropes, and A.J. hit the corner, looking for the Stylin' DDT again - Honma breaking out of it and looking for a northern lights suplex perhaps - but A.J. turned it into the Bloody Sunday DDT! A.J. now prepared to put Honma down for good, attempting to set up the Styles Clash, Honma however, able to backdrop out of it, but A.J. landed on his feet! Honma delivered another hard headbutt to the head of Styles, before hitting the ropes...and another charging Kokeshi headbutt...hit the referee!
The referee was pulled in the way of Styles as a human shield, and now Honma's head was hurting, whilst Styles rolled out to the floor - and the referee was down! Doc Gallows, who had revived moments earlier, climbed into the ring to loud boos, "the Outlaw" grabbing Honma and planting him with the Hangman's Noose, connecting on Honma, and it appeared that this one would be over! That is until until an ally of Honma arrived - Togi Makabe pacing down to the ring! The "Bousou Kingkong" went at it with Gallows, Makabe and Gallows trading blows, but Makabe was able to send Gallows to the floor; these two B block competitors having fought last night in Shizuoka, continuing their battle tonight in the midst of this battle between Styles and Honma!
Makabe and Gallows disappeared to the backstage area, as A.J. Styles slowly climbed back onto the apron - a springboard 450 splash connecting on Tomoaki Honma, who appeared unconscious - and the "Phenomenal One" covered Honma, the referee slowly reviving for one, and then two - but Honma stayed alive! Styles picked Honma up to his feet, prepared for the Styles Clash - and he executed it, giving the IWGP Heavyweight Champion the win!Winner: A.J. Styles (4pts, 2-0) in 16:35 [****] An ambitious defeat for Tomoaki Honma, who once again came relatively close to grasping victory, but only fell in defeat thanks to A.J. Styles, and some interference on behalf of Doc Gallows! The "Phenomenal One" celebrated his win, raising his IWGP Heavyweight Championship high - another victory, putting Styles in the lead alongside Tomohiro Ishii at the top of the A block. Honma began to leave, next set to face Kota Ibushi; whilst Styles is next to meet a familiar foe in Ring of Honor's Michael Elgin on July 26 in Hiroshima.
10. G1 CLIMAX 25 A BLOCK MATCH KARL ANDERSON w/Cody Hall (0pts, 0-1) vs KOTA IBUSHI (0pts, 0-1)It was main event time in Kyoto City, with a rematch between two men that have quite a history thus far in the year 2015. It was back on March 15 of this year, the finals of the annual New Japan Cup tournament where "the Machine Gun" Karl Anderson met "Golden Star" Kota Ibushi for the bragging rights and future championship opportunity of their choice. Ibushi was the favourite going in, having surpassed Doc Gallows, Bad Luck Fale and Tetsuya Naito en route to the finals - whereas Karl Anderson had reached the finals after beating YOSHI-HASHI, Katsuyori Shibata and Kazuchika Okada. It was quite a battle, with Anderson managing to pick up the win, and win the New Japan Cup. At this point in the G1 Climax tournament for both men, both were unsuccessful in getting any points during the opening night of the tournament, as Anderson lost to Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Kota Ibushi fell to Tetsuya Naito. With that in mind, there was a lot on the line in this match.
In 2012, Karl Anderson was a finalist of the G1 Climax tournament, falling only to Kazuchika Okada in the finals - and since then, he has been a threat to the tournament throne. On the contrary, this was only Kota Ibushi's second ever G1 Climax tournament: Ibushi having competed in 2013, where he had a hectic battle with Shinsuke Nakamura - Ibushi's main ambition driving him in this tournament however being that he was unable to participate in last year's tournament due to injury: Ibushi wanted to avenge that, as well as the New Japan Cup loss in the finals to Anderson.
"The Machine Gun" optimistically came to the ring with a smirk on his face, the arrogant American coming to the ring with Bullet Club young boy Cody Hall following in pursuit, waving the flag of the Bullet Club. Immediately this seemed too familiar, as Anderson had previously had many members of the Bullet Club accompany him to ringside for matches during the New Japan Cup, as well as during his rivalry with Kazuchika Okada, which culminated back at Dominion. Meanwhile, the "Golden Star" came to the ring with the Kyoto City pulling for him to settle the score with Anderson, en route to his second tournament match of the evening.
The bell sounded, and chants for Ibushi immediately rang out in the Budokan Center ahead of this match. The smirking Karl Anderson however, wanting to appear sincere apparently in this circumstance, offered to shake the hand of Kota, mouthing the words "may the best man win". Kota simply stared at Anderson, seemingly not believing the gesture, nor trusting it. Karl Anderson accepted this, and the match got underway with Anderson stepping towards Kota into a lock-up to kick things off. Anderson swiped a wristlock on Ibushi, trying to twist at the wrist of Ibushi at this time - but Ibushi managing to twist out of it by spinning on the spot - Ibushi now with an overheard wristlock on Anderson. He wrenched on Karl, who managed to get beneath Ibushi, transitioning into a waistlock, the takedown working: but with the waist squeeze by Anderson, Ibushi was able to turn it into an underarm headlock.
Kota Ibushi worked Anderson up to his feet, but Karl was able to lift Kota on three occasions - though unable to make anything of it, as Ibushi immediately tripped the legs from beneath Anderson, Ibushi switching things up and now targeting the leg for a leglock, though hastily blocked by Anderson reaching the ropes. The break made, Ibushi backed off in respect of the referee's wishes. Anderson got back up to his feet and regained his composure, before the two locked up again. This time, Anderson tripped Ibushi down to his back on the mat, the "Machine Gun", a veteran of New Japan Pro Wrestling, now trying to force Ibushi hands and shoulders to the mat for one - Ibushi able to bridge and break the pin. Anderson tried to prevent it by leaping on top of Ibushi's anatomy - but Ibushi's core strength was too much, and when he tried again, Ibushi used his feet and hand grip to flip Anderson overhead!
Kota Ibushi mounted Karl Anderson now, but Anderson was able to push the "Golden Star" off of him - Karl quickly getting up and going back to the wristlock he had on Anderson moments before. Anderson turned it into an armbar, wrenching backwards on the shoulder of Ibushi. He kept on applying pressure to the limb, but Ibushi was able to roll out of it. Ibushi off the ropes, Anderson sent him into the opposite ropes then hit the opposing ropes to Ibushi: Anderson ducking a lariat attempt by Kota - Anderson with the shoulder block, taking Ibushi down! Anderson continued to run the ropes as Ibushi dropped down then leapfrogged over "the Machine Gun"; Karl looking for a big boot but Kota dodged it, then connected with a dropkick that took Anderson down!
Karl backed off into the corner where Cody Hall was, Anderson visibly actually playing by the rules against Kota Ibushi, maybe to show how sincere he could be and get another win - but Kota wouldn't let Anderson up. A break solved that, as Karl reached his feet, then shook off the damage done prior. Kota this time wanted a test of strength, looking for a knucklelock, but Anderson kicked Kota in the gut to stop it. Anderson took hold of Kota in a grip, but Kota connected with a leg kick, prompting a followup knee to the abdomen of Ibushi to put him on his knees. Anderson picked Ibushi up and body slammed him, "the Machine Gun" looking for an elbow drop there and then - getting nothing but mat as Ibushi rolled out of the way.
Ibushi suddenly got back up and attempting a running shooting star press, but Anderson got his knees up! Karl cradled Ibushi for one, but Ibushi powered out forward, dashed to the second rope and came off with a moonsault that Anderson moved out of the way of - Ibushi landing on his feet, and eating an uppercut from Anderson that took him down to a knee! Karl Anderson was in Kota Ibushi's head right now, picking Ibushi up and taking the arm, wrenching away at it, perhaps to follow on from his tactics in the opening exchange. Anderson repeated this, but Kota tried to come back again, throwing three vital leg kicks to force Anderson to break - Kota looking for a punch, but Anderson sidestepped it and then snapmared Ibushi, Anderson connecting with a kick right into the spine of Ibushi!
Ibushi tried to power through the kick's impact, but Anderson allowed him now time, covering him with a forearm covering Ibushi's face, but only for a near fall. Ibushi still had more in the tank, but Anderson locked in an overhead armlock, trying to hyperextend the elbow of Ibushi. Anderson kept this applied, giving it several moments until Anderson began to fight out of it - Anderson suddenly breaking his grip and stomping on the arm of Ibushi. So much for sincerity! Anderson picked up the arm of Ibushi and applied another wristlock, then began to deliver forearms directed at the elbow once more, trying to hyperextend it. Ibushi finally managed to break out of it by twisting beneath Anderson's grip - "the Machine Gun" stopping him in his tracks with another kick to the gut. Anderson tossed Kota out through the ropes to the apron - Anderson then following up with a bicycle kick knocking Ibushi down to the floor!
Kota Ibushi held the arm in which Karl Anderson has been working on up to this point, whilst Cody Hall kept a distance from the "Golden Star". Anderson followed Ibushi out to the floor, when he whipped Kota into the ringside barriers hard, Ibushi's spine bouncing right off of the metal: Anderson now following up by applying an armlock around one of the barrier's bars, then pulling at the limb of Ibushi's bent arm, even using his boot for leverage! Anderson continued until the referee ordered he stop the illegal hold - and that's when Anderson decided to hop over the barrier - Karl charging and delivering a big boot to the bad arm of Kota Ibushi!
"The Machine Gun" was taking Kota Ibushi's arm through a crash course of a journey now, Karl Anderson mocking and talking trash to Ibushi, as Anderson then rolled Ibushi back inside. He covered Kota, but again Kota managed to kick out at two. "The Machine Gun" alternated to a mounting hammerlock on the mat, before dropping a handstand knee drop again targeting the arm of Ibushi. Anderson, who has always been no nonsense in the ring, and quite a pro at psychology, was taking an unlikely route in this match in competing with Ibushi on a relatively fair playing field. Anderson picked Kota up and this time wrist locked his opponent, looking to punch the arm again - but Ibushi fought out with a palm strike, followed by a right hand! Ibushi's striking ability was coming through for him now, as Ibushi then went with leg kicks on Anderson, cutting him to his knees, where Ibushi then began to light Anderson up with chest kick after chest kick! Ibushi looked for a headkick, but Anderson ducked it, then suddenly took Ibushi down with a fireman's carry takedown, Anderson going back to an armbar on Ibushi!
Anderson kept the hold applied, before bringing Kota back up to his feet, Ibushi back looking for a way free of Karl's attack, and Kota managed it with two big kicks to the side of Anderson, and then a hurricanrana! Ibushi held his arm as Anderson tried to get back up to a vertical basis - Kota with a punch, then a slap, then a kick to the side of Anderson: Ibushi following through with a kick to the head of Anderson! Karl went down and rolled himself to the floor, where Kota knew he had to follow up now. Ibushi waited as Anderson slowly recovered from the headshot: Kota darting up to the middle rope, then slingshotting to top rope - the moonsault executed on top of Karl Anderson! "The Golden Star" was looking for a win tonight, as he picked Karl up to his feet and rolled him inside: Kota pulling off a springboard 450 splash! Ibushi should have covered, but it appeared that he landed wrong on his bad arm, instead lying there prone, whilst Anderson slowly recovered from Kota's onslaught.
Anderson got back up and extended the arm of Ibushi for a hip attack across it, and Karl was now back in control. Karl lifted Ibushi up, sending him into the ropes and attempting the spinebuster, but Kota slid right between the legs of Anderson - Kota with a spinkick and an enzuigiri stunning Anderson! Ibushi now tried to go for the powerbomb, but he tried and his arm just could not support the weight after so much punishment. Anderson backdropped out of it, before powering Kota up, and driving him down with a spinebuster! Karl covered Kota, but Ibushi was able to kick out somehow. Anderson now looked for another way to put Kota away, going back to the same armbar that he used to start the work on the arm at the open of this match. Anderson had Kota perhaps on the verge of submission, wearing down Kota as he controlled the pressure applied on the hold, Ibushi trying to find a way out, but Karl had it tight, and would not let loose.
Kota squirmed and squirmed, in the hold for up to thirty seconds now, but Ibushi used his fighting spirit, and was able to reach the ropes to get the break! Anderson was fuming about the decision, arguing with the referee momentarily, all the while taking himself out of the match as Kota Ibushi slowly got back up to his feet. But Anderson was there with a clubbing elbow across the back of Ibushi's head, Anderson now looking for a Gun Stun suddenly, but Kota broke free and then swung for a spinkick that missed - Anderson with a lariat taking Ibushi down! Anderson went up to the second rope, "the Machine Gun" not really known for this style of ability, but Ibushi suddenly got up and charged over, trying to bring Anderson down, just to get a big boot to the face! Ibushi was stunned, but then as Anderson jumped, in mid air he was caught as Kota connected with a Pelé kick!
Ibushi stalked Anderson out of the corner, before shaking away at his arm and applying a full nelson - the Dragon suplex connecting! Ibushi was not able to follow up with a bridge attempt, but Ibushi instead darted to the second rope, attempting a moonsault, but Anderson moved...Ibushi landing on his feet, and connecting with a standing moonsault! Ibushi never ceases to amaze, as Ibushi now looked to continue his attacking, shaking away at his weakened arm - Ibushi setting up for a powerbomb, but Anderson managed to break out of it and land on his feet - the Gun Stun connecting successfully! Anderson hooked the leg of Ibushi, but Ibushi still managed to break free at two!
Kyoto City was lit up for Kota to pull through and win, whilst Karl Anderson was going beserk at the fact the "Golden Star" was able to break free of his Gun Stun! Anderson immediately stormed to his feet, stalking Kota and readying himself for another Gun Stun, but Kota blocked it and got in a backwards rolling crotch pin - only getting two! Ibushi held onto the ropes for elevation - then caught Anderson with a head kick! Anderson went down, and Kota knew that now was time: "the Golden Star" going up to the top rope...and coming off with a huge Golden Star Press, Ibushi pinning, and getting the victory!Winner: Kota Ibushi (2pts, 1-1) in 21:42 [****] When the dust settled, Kota Ibushi emerged victorious, as Karl Anderson had done his best, but was unable to defeat the "Golden Star" in this rematch from the New Japan Cup 2015 finals! Ibushi had avenged his previous loss to the "Machine Gun", but his arm appeared to be in rough shape, still not doing much with it. Anderson was helped out of the ring with an aid from Cody Hall; Anderson remaining winless in the G1 Climax tournament thus far, whilst Kota had earned his first win in a hard fought main event. Anderson must regroup now and hope to be in fine shape for July 26, when he meets NEVER Openweight Champion Daisuke Sekimoto; meanwhile, Kota Ibushi best hope his arm recovers, because on that same day in Hiroshima, he will face Tomoaki Honma.
Kota Ibushi took the microphone after the match, the DDT star regaining his breath and saying that he won't say much, except that he just proved why he should be the one to win the A block. Kota talked about how bummed out he was to have missed the G1 last year due to injury - but in 2015, it's his time, and the fact he has kept fighting and scratching for heavyweight gold since graduating the juniors division last year, proves he has the heart of gold to go all the way. It may be during this year's G1, or it may be later in the year - it may even be at Wrestle Kingdom 10 in Tokyo Dome - but mark his words: he will make it. Ibushi saluted, before leaving to greet ringside fans in Budokan Center. The announce team took it away to wrap up the show, discussing the night of G1 Climax tournament bouts, and previewing what is to come in Takamatsu tomorrow night for B block action.
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Post by DTP. on Jul 24, 2016 10:23:33 GMT -5
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Post by DTP. on Jul 25, 2016 8:40:25 GMT -5
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Post by DTP. on Jul 25, 2016 11:40:09 GMT -5
| RING OF HONOR SPOTLIGHT |
DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR XIII Friday, July 24, 2015 - William J Myers Pavilion - Baltimore, Maryland Whilst Ring of Honor stars Roderick Strong and Michael Elgin, alongside the stars of New Japan Pro Wrestling are away for the annual G1 Climax tournament in Japan for the next few weeks, Ring of Honor hosted an Internet-exclusive pay-per-view tonight in the United States. As Jay Lethal's top contender to the ROH World Championship, Roderick Strong is absent, his opponent tonight in the main event was former champion Adam Cole, in a Proving Ground match for Cole with a future opportunity at the title up for grabs.
0. Donovan Dijak w/Truth Martini def. Takaaki Watanabe in 7:33 after the standing backbreaker. This was a dark match that took place before the iPPV went on the air.
4. The Briscoes (Mark & Jay Briscoe) def. Roppongi Vice (Rocky Romero & Barreta) in 15:12 after the Jay Driller and Froggy Bow Bow by Mark on Barreta.
7. The Addiction (Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian) def. ReDRagon (Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly), The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Michael Bennett) w/Maria Kanellis & War Machine (Hanson & Ray Rowe) in 18:32 to retain the ROH World Tag Team Championship in a Four Corner Survival match after the Celebrity Rehab by the Addiction on Fish. Adam Cole appeared on commentary during the match, then walked out on the Kingdom prior to the end.
8. Jay Lethal w/Truth Martini and Donovan Dijak def. Adam Cole in 24:24 after the Lethal Injection after interference from the Kingdom in a Proving Ground match. Lethal's ROH World Championship and ROH World Television Championship were not on the line. If Cole won, he would be in contention for an ROH World Championship opportunity.
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Post by DTP. on Jul 26, 2016 10:32:01 GMT -5
| NJPW G1 CLIMAX 25: DAY FOUR Saturday, July 25, 2015 - Takamatsu City Gymnasium - Takamatsu, Kanagawa |
| G1 CLIMAX 25: B BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | | SHINSUKE NAKAMURA (CHAOS) | G1 CLIMAX 25: B BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | BAD LUCK FALE (BULLET CLUB) | | G1 CLIMAX 25: B BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | DOC GALLOWS (BULLET CLUB) | | G1 CLIMAX 25: B BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | | | G1 CLIMAX 25: B BLOCK MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | | A.J. STYLES (BULLET CLUB) YUJIRO TAKAHASHI (BULLET CLUB) | SPECIAL TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 60 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | MICHAEL ELGIN (ROH) CAPTAIN NEW JAPAN (SEKIGUN) | HIROSHI TANAHASHI (SEKIGUN) TETSUYA NAITO (LOS INGOBERNABLES) DAISUKE SEKIMOTO (G.B.H.) | SPECIAL SIX MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | KARL ANDERSON (BULLET CLUB) TAMA TONGA (BULLET CLUB) CODY HALL (BULLET CLUB) | KATSUYORI SHIBATA (SEKIGUN) MANABU NAKANISHI (SEKIGUN) TIGER MASK (SEKIGUN) | SPECIAL SIX MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | TOMOHIRO ISHII (CHAOS) YOSHI-HASHI (CHAOS) GEDO (CHAOS) | KOTA IBUSHI (SEKIGUN) JUSHIN LIGER (SEKIGUN) MÁSCARA DORADA (SEKIGUN) | SPECIAL SIX MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | TOMOAKI HONMA (G.B.H.) RYUSUKE TAGUCHI (SEKIGUN) KUSHIDA (SEKIGUN) | JUICE ROBINSON DAVID FINLAY | SPECIAL TAG TEAM MATCH
1 FALL | 30 MINUTE TIME LIMIT | |
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Post by DTP. on Jul 31, 2016 12:23:00 GMT -5
| NJPW G1 CLIMAX 25: DAY FOUR
Saturday, July 25, 2015 - Takamatsu City Gymnasium- Takamatsu, Kanagawa |
The opening signature aired, a presentation of New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2015. Following this came a video package that ran down the history of the G1 Climax - a tournament so gruelling and historic that many in professional wrestling all wish to compete, with the additional bonus of going on to challenge for an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match in the future. A rundown on the B block participants aired, which is what tonight is focused on - consisting of Bad Luck Fale, Doc Gallows, Hirooki Goto, Kazuchika Okada, Roderick Strong, Rush, Shinsuke Nakamura, Togi Makabe, Toru Yano and Yuji Nagata, as well as their accolades and finishing moves. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the biggest tournament in New Japan history continues tonight.
Tonight, we are live in Takamatsu City Gymnasium for the second round of the B block G1 Climax tournament in 2015. A patient crowd waited, as ring announcer Kimihiko Ozaki formally introduced the crowd to the night's card ahead:
- Juice Robinson & David Finlay vs Yohei Komatsu & Jay White
- Kota Ibushi & Héroes Voladores (Jushin Liger & Máscara Dorada) vs Tomoaki Honma, Ryusuke Taguchi &
KUSHIDA
- Katsuyori Shibata, Manabu Nakanishi & Tiger Mask vs CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Gedo)
- Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito & Daisuke Sekimoto vs BULLET CLUB (Karl Anderson, Tama Tonga & Cody Hall)
- BULLET CLUB (A.J. Styles & Yujiro Takahashi) vs Michael Elgin & Captain New Japan
- Toru Yano vs Rush in a G1 Climax 25 B Block match
- Yuji Nagata vs Roderick Strong in a G1 Climax 25 B Block match
- Hirooki Goto vs Doc Gallows in a G1 Climax 25 B Block match
- Shinsuke Nakamura vs Bad Luck Fale in a G1 Climax 25 B Block match
- Kazuchika Okada vs Togi Makabe in a G1 Climax 25 B Block match
1. Yohei Komatsu & Jay White def. Juice Robinson & David Finlay in 8:16 after the Boston crab by White to Finlay.
2. Tomoaki Honma, Ryusuke Taguchi & KUSHIDA def. Kota Ibushi & Héroes Voladores (Jushin Liger & Máscara Dorada) in 9:24 after the Dodon by Taguchi on Dorada.
3. CHAOS (Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Gedo) def. Katsuyori Shibata, Manabu Nakanishi & Tiger Mask in 9:45 after the sliding lariat by Ishii on Tiger Mask. Shibata and Ishii brawled after the match, stopped by Young Lions and teammates.
4. BULLET CLUB (Karl Anderson, Tama Tonga & Cody Hall) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito & Daisuke Sekimoto in 11:19 after the Swivel Gun Stun by Anderson on Tanahashi. Naito did not get along with Sekimoto, who he lost to last night - and had a staredown with Tanahashi after the match. Naito repeatedly used a steel chair against Hall and Tonga during the match.
5. BULLET CLUB (A.J. Styles & Yujiro Takahashi) def. Michael Elgin & Captain New Japan in 9:47 after the Tokyo Pimps by Takahashi on Captain New Japan.
- 15 MINUTE INTERMISSION -
6. G1 CLIMAX 25 B BLOCK MATCH TORU YANO (2pts, 1-0) vs RUSH (0pts, 0-1)After a disappointing end to the Los Ingobernables founder on the B block opening night of the tournament, and a disappointing night for the ever devious CHAOS member on said night, both men were looking to gain momentum moving forward, as it was Rush of Conseco Mundial de Lucha Libre on one side of the ring, taking on the notorious Toru Yano on the other. Yano was able to knock off a victory against Yuji Nagata on July 23, whilst Rush was unsuccessful in his first ever New Japan Pro Wrestling G1 performance, losing to the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, Roderick Strong. With that said, this feud between CHAOS and Los Ingobernables dates back further than one would think - mainly due to Shinsuke Nakamura's previous rivalries with La Sombra and Tetsuya Naito in particular.
With that all said, this one was on, as Toru Yano came to the ring forever plugging and promoting his DVD sales, whilst Rush came to the ring in an extremely confident mood, power walking to the ring and getting ready for this confrontation. It's notable that Rush is so calm and collected in his entrances, very similar to Tetsuya Naito, who is also a Los Ingobernables member - and both men have been known to be poised by a very aggressive style based on their movesets in the ring. However, with Yano, ever the spoiler in big match scenarios - a man that has beaten Hiroshi Tanahashi in the past - this one was bound to go either way.
Predictably the shenanigans of "YTR" played a part in the opening moments of this match, as Toru Yano mischievously removed the turnbuckle corner padding from its rightful place and placed it in the rear of his tights. Rush meanwhile decided to charge Yano right at the bell, a big dropkick landing...on the padding blocking Yano's rear, and Yano actually had a big laugh over it. Rush fell down and tried to go for a second charging dropkick on Yano, who turned his back and had his padding block the dropkick. Rush did not fall for it a third time, going right into it with an open handed chop, followed by a big right hand, and another one - as Rush knew he had to combat the wit of Yano with heavy landing strikes this early on.
Rush followed up with a leg kick on Yano, but Yano caught a second one and sweeped Rush down to the mat, covering for a one count. Back on their feet, Yano took the padding from his backside and tried to charge Rush with it, who ducked it, then executed Yano with another open handed chop. The padding went flying as Rush now took Yano into the corner, striking him repeatedly with some hard-hitting corner chops. Rush attempted to whip Yano into the opposite exposed corner's steel, but Yano managed to reverse it - and in return, Rush leaped over it, landing himself on the apron. In the mean time, Yano picked up the padding and swung, taking Rush off the apron and crashing down hard on the floor!
Toru Yano giggled slightly, then rolled out of the ring, delivering some unorthodox forearms - striking not being something he has been known for in the last couple of the years - Yano then whipping Rush into the ringside barriers rib first! Yano went over and continued his attack, pushing Rush into the barrier and causing it to fall through. Now into the sea of Takamatsu audience members, Yano attempted to whip Rush into a set of cleared chairs - Rush able to counter it, and Yano went tumbling into the chairs! Rush paced back to the ring, rolling inside and posing in an overconfident way, very simialr to Naito once again. The referee's count was on, as Yano appeared to get his arm trapped in chair, causing some struggle breaking loose. Yano instead dragged the folding chair to ringside with him, mounting the ringside barrier and barely making the count at seventeen!
Yano was still in this match, but Rush was about to make sure this did not last - the Los Ingobernables founder from Mexico taking the chair from Yano's arm and then slamming its rough edge into the arm of Yano! Rush tossed the chair out to the floor to boos, whilst the referee decided to continue the match without disqualification at this stage of violence. Rush saw Yano rising back up to his feet and cornered him, delivering body blow upon body blow - Rush following with a corner splash taking Yano down, but only for a near fall at this time. Rush was relentless now, stomping away at the arm of Yano as "YTR" was brought up to his feet for another haymaker to the face. Rush tried to whip Yano back out to the floor, but Yano reversed it and sent Rush out to the apron. Rush instinctively darted back inside, but Yano then sent Rush into the exposed steel: Rush sidestepping the impact, and then when Yano turned his back and shrugged, Rush delivered a huge German suplex, covering Yano for a near fall.
Rush started getting aggressive, not even letting Yano get up; tossing him into the corner shoulder first, then beginning to stomp away at the abdomen and arm of "YTR". The former IWGP Tag Team Champion was in trouble as Rush charged and executed a charging dropkick in the bottom corner, covering again but only for two. Rush was losing his temper very quickly with the quirky and common upset gainer Yano; Rush now picking Yano up and targeting the arm of Yano with two big kicks to his arm again. Yano however cut Rush off when he attempted to whip him across the ring - Yano covering Rush for a close call with the Akakiri; Yano then getting up and catching Rush off guard with a slap, then the Urakasumi leg hook cradle for two. Yano got back up instantly and cowered from Rush, hiding behind the referee, who he lawndarted into Rush's path.
With the referee out of position, Yano looked for a low blow on Rush, but Rush leapfrogged it, then delivered a kick to the groin of "YTR"! Rush shoved Yano out of the ring through the ropes, where he came emerging with a topé through the ropes...that went missed, as Yano managed to walk out of the way! Rush hit the floor, and Yano decided to capitalize, delivering a big chair shot across the spine of the Los Ingobernables founder! Yano slid back inside and shrugged, then held his thumbs up for the "YTR" taunt - but little did Yano know that Rush did not suffer badly from the chair shot, and had slid back inside. Rush came from behind with the olympic slam, then charged the ropes, dropping the running senton across the ribs of Yano! Rush then picked Yano up, dropping him with the double underhook piledriver Rush Driver: and just like that, Rush emerged in victory!Winner: Rush (2pts, 1-1) in 7:22 [**¼] After the efforts of the man himself, Toru Yano had come out unsuccessful again in his second outing in this year's G1 Climax tournament. The man that came close in 2007 and 2010 to winning his block had been defeated by the newcomer to New Japan, the man known only as Rush. Rush celebrated his win by picking Yano up by his hair, then suddenly dropping him with a big punch to the mouth! Rush was extremely aggressive tonight, but in his next match of the tournament against a motivated Kazuchika Okada, he may not be so lucky. Yano was helped out of the ring by the Young Lions, next to face Doc Gallows on July 28 in Oita.
7. G1 CLIMAX 25 B BLOCK MATCH YUJI NAGATA (2pts, 1-0) vs RODERICK STRONG (2pts, 1-0)After the events of the previous match between two men that lost on the opening night of the B block, it was time for the men that beat them on said night to combat one another in an expectedly tough, hard-hitting battle. The IWGP Intercontinental Champion, representing Ring of Honor in the B block for this year's tournament in Roderick Strong, has been riding a wave of momentum in recent months, defeating Shinsuke Nakamura on two separate occasions, both to claim and then retain the IWGP Intercontinental Championship - also gaining top contendership to the ROH World Championship held by Jay Lethal in the United States - but above all, on his first night in his first ever G1 Climax tournament, Strong was able to defeat fellow G1 newcomer Rush to get a good set of starting points in this year's edition. Meanwhile, the former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, as well as long-time member of the New Japan roster, Yuji Nagata, was able to defeat Toru Yano during his first match of the tournament, and with "Blue Justice" having wanted to gain some previously lost notoriety with New Japan fans in previous months dating back to Wrestle Kingdom 9, where he was left off of the main card and instead won the annual New Japan Rumble instead - this had the potential to be a big year for the veteran forty-seven year old.
Roderick Strong, who has shown to be egotistical in his recent appearances, even when losing in tag team competition, came down to the ring gloating about being the first IWGP Intercontinental Champion to simultaneously win the G1 Climax tournament. "Mr ROH" added to this when he mentioned that he would be facing Jay Lethal at ROH's next feature event entitled "Field of Honor" on August 22 in Brooklyn, New York - the same event that will feature New Japan talents returning to its American partner - to the camera on his way to the ring, claiming to take all of the gold from Mr Lethal. On the contrary, "Blue Justice" was in no mood and it showed, as he came pacing down to the ring, ready to go at it with the sometimes confident yet resiliently hard-hitting "Mr ROH".
Strong ordered the referee to clean his IWGP Intercontinental Championship as he handed the belt over, Yuji Nagata meanwhile waiting patiently for the opening bell to sound, effectively beginning this match. The audience were behind Nagata tonight, wanting the previous G1 Climax winner to enjoy another monumental tournament victory in the twilight of his career. Strong talked some trash as both men approached one another in the centre, this match beginning with Nagata quickly striking Strong with a big elbow blow. Strong fired back with a forearm of his own, followed by a second one. Nagata came back with two forearm blows of his own, rocking Strong, but Roddy came back with an uppercut, then blocked a strike from Nagata. Yuji fell backwards into the ropes and tried to go for a big boot off the ropes, which Strong sidestepped. Roddy threw a dropkick that went blocked, and Nagata then caught Strong with a big kick to the torso!
Yuji clobbered Strong when he was down on his knees with another elbow strike, before swinging a chest kick that Strong caught, and Roddy then sweeped Nagata down to the mat and applied an inverted chinlock. Strong had mounted the back of Nagata for more leverage, but Nagata was able to slip out like the professional he is - Nagata with a waistlock on Strong, teasing an early Back Suplex Hold - Strong breaking free with three big elbows across the side of the head. Strong chopped Nagata, but Nagata then chopped back. Nagata followed up with two more, cornering Strong: but the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, a veteran of the ring in his own right, turned it around and cornered Yuji, then chopping him twice before the referee prompted the first break of this match.
Strong mocked Nagata's JUSTICE taunt, then ducked a right hand from Nagata, Strong coming back with two big elbow strikes, followed by a dropkick that stunned Yuji. Nagata stumbled over towards the ropes, and Strong relentlessly approached looking for more - Nagata ducking a chop and then hitting the ropes - Strong jumping over a knee to the gut, but he was unable to see a big boot coming, and Strong dropped to a knee! Nagata fired away with chest kicks to the reddening torso of the American: but Strong ducked a roundhouse kick, then came back with a jumping knee strike to the back of Nagata! Strong delivered two clubbing forearms to the spine of "Blue Justice", before attempting a back suplex that went blocked - Nagata breaking out with two elbow strikes to the head. Strong hit the ropes, but Nagata cut him off with a knee strike to the gut, flipping Strong across the ring!
The veteran was in control as he picked Strong up to his feet and delivered a huge chop to the chest, followed by a second. Strong tried to come back with a forearm strike of his own, but Nagata came back with a series of snap jab punches to the jaw, Nagata getting excitable now as he wound up, looking for one more punch - Strong cutting him off with a dropkick! "Mr ROH" rose back up and stomped on the back of Nagata, picking him up and dropping him with a suplex, covering for a very brief near fall. Strong rose back up to his feet and kicked Nagata in the back one more time, before stomping him over to the apron. Yuji tried to recover, but Strong was going right after the back - hitting the ropes and then firing off a sliding dropkick to the back, sending Nagata tumbling out to the floor below.
Roddy still in the ring, then thought to capitalize on the opportunity, hitting the ropes and connecting with a topé through the ropes, knocking Yuji spine-first into the barriers at ringside. Now on the floor, the IWGP Intercontinental Champion hoped to follow up, looking for a backdrop on the floor, but Nagata broke out of it, then took the arm of Strong and dropped him with an arm ringer on the floor! Both men were down on the floor, whilst Yuji was the first to get back up to a vertical basis. Nagata rolled back inside whilst Strong remained down holding his wrist, the count beginning on the IWGP Intercontinental Champion. Strong remained down but slid back inside at eight, allowing Nagata to go on the attack, stomping the hand. The wise veteran picked Strong up by the wrist and wrenched away at it in a hammerlock, then took him down to the mat, mounting the wrist in what was now a grounded hammerlock hold. Nagata delivered a handstand knee to the limb, and "Mr ROH" appeared to be in a bad way right now.
"Blue Justice" kicked the wrist for some extra effect, whilst Roddy attempted to find himself back in this match. Nagata found Roddy in the corner, where he lit Strong up with two chest kicks before Strong was somehow able to duck one, grabbing Nagata from behind and back suplexing him over the top rope to the floor below! This was IWGP Intercontinental Champion Roderick Strong's mission now, rolling out quickly and fast - then picking Nagata up and back suplexing him right on top of the ringside barrier! Nagata went down from the gross thud, and Strong rolled back inside holding his wrist, the count now beginning on Nagata in a cruel twist of fate in this G1 Climax bout. Nagata was slower to get up than what Roddy was, breaking the count at thirteen - perhaps unlucky thirteen, as Strong immediately followed up with a backdrop across the knees spine-first, Strong covering...but Nagata kicked out, still energized in this bout.
Roddy appeared to try slowing down the pace of this match, a seated surfboard stretch applied, the knee of the champion driven into the back of Nagata with his arms stretched out wide. Strong tried to keep Yuji locked in the hold, and maybe even cause Yuji to submit, but "Blue Justice" was able to scoot over, getting his foot on the bottom rope and thus forcing the break in the hold. Strong did not want to stop though, another sharp kick catching Yuji right in the back. Nagata's back had to be hurting, whilst Strong continuously shook his wrist, trying to fight the pain Nagata had sustained earlier on. Strong picked Nagata up and whipped him spine first into the corner: Strong charging looking for a back elbow, but Nagata got his foot up, a big boot catching Strong! Yuji then fired up with two forearm strikes, Nagata hoping to get back in the game, but a big lifting knee caught Nagata in the jaw!
Strong propped Nagata up on the top rope now, hoping to yield some more work into the spinal column of the veteran. Strong hoped to continue his attack with some more elbows, but Nagata fired back and grabbed the arm, now attempting to get his leg over the arm for a top rope positioned Nagata Lock: Strong however wisely clubbing Nagata in the back with three elbow clubs. Strong went up and executed a superplex, the cover however only getting two at this time! It became apparent that Strong was growing frustrated in Yuji's hard resilient style, as he raised Nagata up into a seated position, then driving his knee into the back of Yuji's twice. Strong covered again, but only managed to get one.
Roddy felt now that playtime was over, with Strong stalked Nagata from the corner: the IWGP Intercontinental Champion charging at Yuji looking for a Sick kick: Nagata catching him off guard with with a big boot to the wrist! Strong went down hurting, whilst Nagata now fired back up, emerging to his feet and delivering two Mongolian chops to the shoulder blades of Roddy, followed by two big drilling elbow blows to the jaw. Strong looked for a lariat that Nagata wisely countered, Nagata sending Strong off the ropes and connecting with a belly-to-belly suplex! Nagata looked to immediately attempt the Nagata Lock, and he almost had him if not for Strong squirming in hopes of reaching the ropes. Not quite, but Nagata pulled back on the arm, and a cross-armbreaker became applied! Nagata rolled his eyes back into his skull as Strong rived in pain, his arm under a lot of punishment right now!
Strong attempted to backwards roll out of it when Nagata wisely switched back to the Nagata Lock, this time applied successfully, and it appeared that Strong had nowhere to run, at least in this bout! Yuji tried to apply more pressure by rolling his eyes back into his head a second time: but Strong was able to free himself, his toe barely touching the bottom rope, prompting the break! Strong was lucky to have barely survived, but Nagata was now on the attack again, and Yuji approached Strong looking for JUSTICE, Nagata lighting Strong up with several more chest kicks - Strong however coming out of it with a jumping knee strike, nearly shattering the nose of the veteran! Strong whipped Nagata into the corner, charging for a back elbow strike that landed. Strong then followed up with two charging big boots to Nagata, who was slumped down in the corner - Strong picking Nagata up for a double underhook backbreaker, but Nagata broke loose and delivered a crushing elbow strike!
Nagata hit the ropes, looking for a big boot that missed, Strong now attempting a Sick Kick that also missed! Nagata capitalized and connected with an exploder suplex to Strong, the IWGP Intercontinental Champion in peril now, as "Blue Justice" picked Strong up to his feet, looking for the Backdrop Hold, Strong however, able to block it out! Nagata navigated over to a German suplex attempted, but Strong back elbowed his way loose, then executed a rolling elbow to the jaw, stumbling Nagata! Strong hit the ropes attempting the Sick Kick once more, but Nagata cut him off with a big boot to the jaw! Nagata connected with the Backdrop Hold, but Strong kicked out barely, almost being beaten by the forty-seven year old!
It was as hard hitting as expected, but more heated than expected too, with Nagata having the Takamatsu City crowd strongly behind him. Nagata picked the arm attempting to apply the Nagata Lock once more, but Roderick Strong elbowed Nagata in the abdomen, then again struck Yuji with a jumping knee strike to the face! Strong picked Nagata up and powered him down with a double underhook backbreaker, the end perhaps near for Nagata, as Strong picked him up and attempted the End of Heartache: but Yuji clung onto the legs of Strong during the suplex attempt - Nagata connecting with a snap suplex of his own...rising to his feet...just to encounter a hard Sick Kick from the IWGP Intercontinental Champion! Strong picked Nagata up to his feet, and the End of Heartache connected - Strong pinning him, and that was all she wrote!Winner: Roderick Strong (4pts, 2-0) in 19:11 [****¼] Perhaps it was pure luck, but Roderick Strong had survived this clash with a veteran and modern legend in "Blue Justice" Yuji Nagata to remain undefeated in this tournament, and it was perhaps not as easy as "Mr ROH" had thought it would be. The IWGP Intercontinental Champion celebrated his win with blood dripping down his face, holding his wrist, as Strong knew that he had been through a war. Strong hugged his title gold, and perhaps had gained respect in this outing, remaining undefeated early on in this year's G1 Climax B block, one of the leaders thus far.
Yuji Nagata came to and turned down the Young Lions' offer of an icepack to cool his wounds, "Blue Justice" having other things in mind, as Nagata got up to his feet somehow and grabbed the microphone. Nagata confronted Strong, telling him that he won tonight - but he lit a fire up inside of Nagata. Yuji told Roddy in Japanese that he wanted another match where maybe something else would happen...something Strong maybe wouldn't like. Roddy meanwhile simply just looked at him in confusion, arrogantly telling Yuji that he doesn't know any Japanese. Nagata knowingly, looked Strong dead in the eyes and told him: "I want the title" before leaving. But first, Nagata and Strong have to get through this tournament, with Nagata moving on to face Shinsuke Nakamura, whilst Strong prepares to meet Togi Makabe on July 28 in Oita.
8. G1 CLIMAX 25 B BLOCK MATCH HIROOKI GOTO (0pts, 0-1) vs DOC GALLOWS w/Karl Anderson (0pts, 0-1)The first night of the G1 Climax for the B block was not a good night for either of the men going into this bout tonight. For Hirooki Goto, one-half of the current reigning and two-time IWGP Tag Team Champions alongside Katsuyori Shibata, it was a highly competitive loss to Shinsuke Nakamura that the "Aramusha" of New Japan Pro Wrestling sustained back on July 23. For Doc Gallows, it was the loss to Togi Makabe that has got him to this point, getting ready to go at it with a recurring rival in one half of Meiyu Tag. The history between these two men go back to last December, where Goto and Shibata teamed up to win the 2014 World Tag League, beating Gallows and "Machine Gun" Karl Anderson in the finals. Goto and Shibata went on to win the IWGP Tag Team Championships the first time around on January 4 at Wrestle Kingdom 9 in the Tokyo Dome, which then turned into a rematch at the New Beginning in Osaka, which ended the same way. Not to mention how Goto and Shibata ended the impressive 365-day streak set by Gallows and Anderson. But this looked to be potentially different.
"The Outlaw" did not come to the ring peacefully either, arriving with his face dressed up in warpaint, a noose hanging around his neck, whilst swinging its loose end between his legs like an extended phallus. But besides this, he was with the "Machine Gun" Karl Anderson, who has also been unfortunate in past appearances in the A block of this very tournament, losing thus far to Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi. Meanwhile, Hirooki Goto came out to the ring with intent to overcome the Bullet Club once again, just like Meiyu Tag as a team have done before, whether it be to Gallows and Gun, or Bad Luck Fale and Tama Tonga, and even A.J. Styles and Yujiro Takahashi.
The bell sounded, with the Takamatsu crowd supportive of Hirooki Goto, the winner of the 2008 G1 Climax tournament, in this match against the loud and profanely obnoxious gaijin, representing the Bullet Club. Doc Gallows swore at Goto as both men approached one another, greeting in the middle of the ring with Gallows showing off in front of his adversary. Hirooki immediately slapped the taste out of Gallows' mouth with a big slap across the face, then followed up with an open handed chop to the chest of Gallows, followed up by another. Goto kicked Gallows in the breadbasket, then attempted to send him off the ropes, but Gallows immediately came back with a shoulder block that did not budge Goto. Goto backed up into the ropes and tried his own shoulder block that went absorbed by Gallows. Gallows cut Goto off when he could, a kick to the gut and a throat thrust catching Goto hard.
Gallows took Goto into the corner with several stomps to the mid-section of "Aramusha", Hirooki Goto absorbing multiple body blows, the recipient of Gallows' strikes, all whilst Doc continued to talk trash in Goto's way. Gallows was forced to back up by the referee, which he obliged to - but probably for the wrong reasons. Whilst Goto was down, slumped in the corner, Karl Anderson grabbed the noose in which Gallows brought to the ring with him - Anderson choking Goto temporarily with the noose, before removing the evident when the referee turned his head around. Inconspicuous, Gallows had Goto weakened right out of the gate it seemed, and Takamatsu City despised it. Gallows picked Goto up from his slump, then cornered him again with some more body blow strikes, followed up with a big throat thrust catching him in the jaw.
Gallows raised his boot to Goto's jaw and began to choke Hirooki against the top rope, with "Aramusha" not looking to be in a good place right now. Gallows was restrained from the choke by the referee, then distracted the referee whilst being reprimanded: and behind his back? Karl Anderson got up onto the apron to try and attack Goto once more, but Goto took him off the apron with a big forearm, and Gallows suddenly charged with a big corner splash, mowing Goto back down into the slumped position he was in before. "The Outlaw" goaded the booing crowd, whilst Karl Anderson tried to continue appearing as innocent as possible, even when out of the corner of Gallows.
Gallows taunted the crowd, then picked Goto back up in the corner, just for Goto to begin firing back with several forearm strikes targeting Gallows' jaw - but Gallows came back with a lifting knee to the solar plexus of the IWGP Tag Team Champion. Gallows sent Goto off the ropes, hoping to attempt a big boot, but Goto sidestepped it, continued running, and shoulder blocked Gallows into the ropes: Gallows rebounding and missing a lariat - Goto connecting with a chest kick! Goto connected with a second chest kick before stomping the knee of Gallows, dropping him to one knee. Goto now, once again hit the ropes, looking perhaps for a lariat that Gallows this time dodged - Gallows catching Goto off the ropes with a big boot to the jaw! Gallows then picked Goto up and went for a sidewalk slam on the IWGP Tag Team Champion but Goto blocked it and caught Gallows with a Russian legsweep - Goto rolling Gallows up in a leglock, but only for one at this time.
Gallows scrambled back up to his feet to eat more chest kicks from Goto, Hirooki Goto not wasting any time in forcing Gallows down from a kneeling state to the mat, and covering him for a near fall. Goto would not allow Gallows any time to get back up, getting Gallows with more sharp chest kicks as Gallows got up again - but the long arms of Gallows made their way to Goto's throat, as another throat thrust landed. Doc got up and caught Goto with the sidewalk slam, driving him down to the mat for a near fall - and Gallows then decided to connect with the elbow drop off the ropes, covering again, but once again only securing a near fall. Anderson watched on from ringside as Goto tried to fight both members of Gallows and Gun singlehandedly. The Bullet Club's tactics were paying off, whilst Gallows now looked at attempting a suplex on Goto, managing to get him off of his feet, but Goto was able to deadweight himself back down to the Earth: Goto breaking the suplex attempt off with a big headbutt to the chest, then a forearm, then another one. Goto then managed to do the unlikely, a snap suplex on Gallows landing!
"The Outlaw" quickly got back up to his feet, just in time to get hit by a spinning wheel kick by Goto in the corner, and Goto was clearly meaning business now. "Aramusha" attempted to go for the Ushigoroshi on Gallows, but Anderson climbed into the ring quickly, which is when Goto kicked "the Machine Gun" in the gut, dropping Gallows with a Samoan drop! Anderson got back up to a vertical basis, then ran into trouble of his own - the Ushigoroshi connecting on Karl Anderson! Anderson hastily rolled out to the floor, as Goto returned his attention to a recovering Gallows. But when he got up close to him, "the Outlaw" grabbed Goto by the throat with both hands, perhaps looking at the Hangman's Noose now - Goto able to break loose with several elbows. Goto connected with a fast enzuigiri, then tried the Ushigoroshi again: Gallows able to block it out once again, then connect with a belly-to-belly slam, getting a two at this time.
Doc Gallows got into an argument with the referee at this time, disputing the referee's decision and conspiring that the referee was biased against the Bullet Club. But this appeared to be all a poise, as whilst Goto recovered from the attack, Karl Anderson slid back inside, looking for a Gun Stun...that Goto was able to reverse out of it, and a spinebuster on Anderson connected! Goto scored with another spinebuster to Gallows, and Goto was looking at getting in the running of this very prestigious tournament. Goto picked Gallows back up to his feet and executed a back suplex, covering Gallows - but Anderson got on the apron! "The Machine Gun" was interfering blatantly at this point, doing anything to prevent Goto from victory. Goto shook his head and went to attack Anderson yet again, but Karl jumped down - and when Goto turned his head back towards Gallows, Doc grabbed him by the throat again!
Gallows had the double handed choke on Hirooki Goto, but "Aramusha" broke loose with a big elbow strike, then another headbutt! Gallows backed up into the ropes, and Goto clashed with Gallows, taking the larger man down with a running lariat! The IWGP Tag Team Champion then picked Gallows up for the Ushigoroshi, scoring with it this time! Goto now picked Doc up to his feet, picked him up in a suplex - and the Shouten Kai connected on the big man somehow! Goto covered, and despite Anderson's efforts, Hirooki Goto had picked up the victory!Winner: Hirooki Goto (2pts, 1-1) in 13:32 [***] Despite the intentions of Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows, Hirooki Goto was able to score a victory tonight in Takamatsu City, and "Aramusha" appeared thrilled with the outcome. He grasped the IWGP Tag Team Championship belt, whilst Anderson, who will meet Goto's tag team partner Katsuyori Shibata on July 29, backed away, whilst also yelling that he wanted another shot at the IWGP Tag Team Championships. Gallows was helped out by Anderson and Cody Hall, whilst Goto stood proudly in the ring, victorious tonight - next set to meet Bad Luck Fale, whilst Doc Gallows prepares to face Toru Yano on July 28 in Oita.
9. G1 CLIMAX B BLOCK MATCHSHINSUKE NAKAMURA (2pts, 1-0) vs BAD LUCK FALE (2pts, 1-0) There was a huge upset on July 23, the night these two men last competed in B block action of the G1 Climax tournament this year. In Shizuoka, whilst Shinsuke Nakamura, the "King of Strong Style" was able to oust Hirooki Goto in a gripping match that could have gone either way, "the Underboss" Bad Luck Fale was able to defeat the former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and aspiring future Ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling, Kazuchika Okada. These two men are very familiar with one another as well, as Bad Luck Fale defeated Shinsuke Nakamura last June at Dominion to shockingly claim the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, although Nakamura would later reclaim the title, winning the belt back at Destruction in September. A year has made a world of change since their Dominion bout, and these two men were ready to go back at it again tonight in Takamatsu city.
"The Underboss" calmly strolled down to the ring, Bad Luck Fale showing a vacant yet intimidating facial expression on his face, the Tongan representing the Bullet Club all ready to get into it with his former rival. Shinsuke Nakamura received a hero's welcome to Takamatsu, the crowd delighted to see him, and it proved so as Nakamura gyrated and danced en route towards the ring. Both men were ready as the stage was set, both men thus far undefeated in the G1 Climax, now set to go up against one another.
Shinsuke had the crowd on his side, as the bell sounded signalling the bout's beginning. Nakamura stepped forward approaching Fale, who similarly stepped towards Nakamura - no sign of backing down at this time, whilst Nakamura simply stared down Fale. The former IWGP Intercontinental Champions got into it with a lock-up, which Fale controlled, forcing Nakamura backwards into the ropes, the referee immediately forcing the break to take place - and Nakamura backed off, with Fale immediately punching Nakamura in the gut. Fale clubbed the back of Shinsuke's head, but Nakamura came back with a knee to the waistline, then connected with a second and a third knee to the abdomen - Nakamura getting into a side headlock until Fale was able to back Nakamura up into the ropes: the referee again admonishing a break in the early moments.
"The King of Strong Style" slumped himself head first against the chest of Fale and let his arms slump - a bad idea on behalf of the veteran, as the Tongan immediately came back with another body blow, and then another. Fale grabbed Nakamura by the shoulders and immediately went to town with more body blows: Fale attempting to take Shinsuke down with a standing corner lariat but it failed, as Nakamura dodged it. Shinsuke now came charging in at Fale with a running knee lift in the corner, "the King of Strong Style", who won the G1 Climax in 2012, now trying to cut down the big "Underboss", Nakamura with several knee strikes and leg kicks in the corner, until the referee forced Nakamura to back away.
Fale came at Shinsuke with a right hand, but Nakamura dodged it and kicked Fale in the leg again, and then spinkicked Fale in the abdomen, Nakamura using his kickboxing experience to corner Fale. Shinsuke choked Fale with a high foot held against the jaw of Fale, before squashing his knee into the face of Fale in the lower corner. Nakamura kicked Fale brutally twice, before commencing with the Strong Style Footwipe, gyrating to the cheering Takamatsu crowd whilst Fale wisely rolled out to the floor. Nakamura followed in pursuit, continuing with the knee strikes to the chest and abdomen of Fale, who then slumped over the ringside barriers. Nakamura followed, entering the aisle of the audience and then coming at Fale with a running knee strike but Fale moved - and Fale capitalized with a lariat, taking Shinsuke down hard in the audience area.
Nakamura was down and hurting, whilst Bad Luck Fale rolled back inside in hopes of collecting a count out victory tonight. Fale, who has big problems with Toru Yano as of late, and defeated Kazuchika Okada last night, now hoped to beat Nakamura right here and now, as the Bullet Club's rivalry with CHAOS continues. Nakamura was up at the count of eight, and managed to make it to the ring by the count of twelve, but into the heavy footed stomps of Fale upon entry. Fale picked Nakamura up and went back to the body blows, before he sent Shinsuke back into the corner. Fale stepped backwards and came charging with a corner splash, catching Nakamura, and Fale relentlessly followed suit with a legdrop, covering but only for a near fall.
Fale was in the mood to put Nakamura down tonight, the former IWGP Intercontinental Champion applying a nerve grip on the shoulder of Shinsuke, the "King of Strong Style" suffering the wrath of the three-hundred pounder tonight. "The Underboss" tried to keep Shinsuke in check, but Nakamura came back with two body blows to Fale, and then fought free with a forearm strike, then another one, then a right hand punch stunning Fale slightly. Nakamura went for a kick to the gut, but Fale caught the boot - Nakamura jumping over, then came back, catching Fale with a wheel kick that took Fale stumbling through the ropes and down to the floor! Fale was down on all fours at ringside now - and Shinsuke attempted to follow up with a spinning topé using the top rope as a slingshot - but he fell right into the waiting arms of Fale, who then charged him backwards into the ring post!
Fale picked Nakamura up with a handful of hair, then rolled him inside of the ring where "the Underboss" hoped to pin Nakamura, albeit only for a near fall. Fale picked Shinsuke up and struck him with a right hand, then body slammed him down into the centre of the ring - Fale now, hitting the ropes and dropping his head down hard with the Falling Coconut headbutt! Fale was getting prepared to go for the Grenade, picking Shinsuke up with his hand across Shinsuke's throat, lifting him up and dropping him down hard with a thumb thrust! Fale covered, but Shinsuke was able to kick out before the three! Fale was growing weary of fighting Shinsuke at this point, as Fale now picked Nakamura up to his feet, looking for the Bad Luck Fall, but Shinsuke when on Fale's shoulders, was able to slip out of it, and Nakamura landed on the second rope - Nakamura striking Fale with a BomaYe from the second rope to the back of the head!
Nakamura had Fale down to his knees, and "the Underboss" tried to recover from the blow - Nakamura stalking Fale wisely from behind him: charging for another BomaYe to the back of the head but Fale ducked it! Nakamura then came back looking for the BomaYe again, but Fale took him down with a ferocious lariat! Fale picked Nakamura up and attempted the Bad Luck Fall again, but Shinsuke courageously fought out of it, then connected with an enzuigiri stunning Fale again! Nakamura executed a lungblower on Fale, which brought Fale down to his knees: Nakamura executing the BomaYe successfully this time! Nakamura pinned Fale, but the hard headed Fale was able to power out just before the three count! Shinsuke knew that he was in for a battle in this match, whilst Bad Luck Fale looked to improve his undefeated streak: Nakamura setting up for another BomaYe from the second rope: but Fale caught him in his arms...running Nakamura into the corner! Fale followed with a charging big splash in the corner to follow, before peeling "the King of Strong Style" out of the corner, and executed the Bad Luck Fall sucessfully, scoring another huge win!Winner: Bad Luck Fale (4pts, 2-0) in 12:20 [***½] "The Underboss" was off to a hot start in only his second match of this year's G1 Climax tournament: Fale officially one of the leaders in the B block at this point, after defeating both of CHAOS's Aces in Kazuchika Okada, and now Shinsuke Nakamura as well. The mean Tongan of the Bullet Club shoved down the referee, then began to leave without much celebrating, the serious bouncer not done yet thus far in this tournament, whilst Nakamura had his ribs ice packed, "the King of Strong Style" surprisingly victim to Fale's onslaught tonight.
10. G1 CLIMAX B BLOCK MATCHKAZUCHIKA OKADA w/Gedo (0pts, 0-1) vs TOGI MAKABEThe last time these foes met in a major singles bout was back during Kazuchika Okada's second reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion. It was back at Dominion in 2013 where the "Unchained Gorilla" Togi Makabe challenged Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and although he tested Okada and took him to the limit, he was ultimately unsuccessful in defeating the "Rainmaker" on that night in June. Since then so much has changed, with Kazuchika Okada trying to avenge his previous losses, both to Hiroshi Tanahashi at the Tokyo Dome back at Wrestle Kingdom 9, where Okada was unable to beat Tanahashi and claim the throne of New Japan Pro Wrestling, leaving in tears. Furthermore, Okada - whilst wanting to win this G1 Climax tournament and get back to where he once was at the apex of the New Japan Pro Wrestling roster - had just lost to Bad Luck Fale, and came into this match with zero wins at this time. On the contrary, Togi Makabe, a veteran of the New Japan roster, has been focusing his time as of late on the newly improved Great Bash Heel faction, a former faction that came to an end back in 2009 after Makabe was betrayed by Toru Yano during a match with Shinsuke Nakamura, effectively founding CHAOS instead. G.B.H. has been around, although only with Makabe and Tomoaki Honma, however the big sucess story has been New Japan newcomer Daisuke Sekimoto, the newest member of Great Bash Heel, and current reigning NEVER Openweight Champion.
"Rainmaker" had a lot to prove coming into this tournament bout, Kazuchika Okada still reeling from his loss to Bad Luck Fale on July 23, but he still walked with a purpose, led by Gedo, en route to the ring as his money fell from the ceiling surrounding him. The two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion was in for a mission if he wanted to get in the winning column of this tournament, Okada preparing to do battle with the "Unchained Gorilla". Makabe stomped out to the ring with chains hanging around his neck - Makabe entering the ring and getting ready to go immediately with Okada, getting in his face just before the bell sounded. The main event in Takamatsu was getting set to take place, as the referee backed Makabe off into his corner.
The bell sounded, and the main event was officially underway, with Okada getting plenty of chants from the Takamatsu crowd. Togi Makabe, no slouch, a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion himself, got right back in Okada's face, and then slamming Okada with a big elbow to the jaw. Okada appeared rocked, but came back with one of his own, and then a second one as well. Elbow war took place, with Makabe drilling Okada with three forearms in a row, but Okada blocked one, and both men wildly started swinging forearms. Okada broke this up with a back elbow to Makabe, Okada applying a side headlock on Togi. Makabe attempted to pick and toss Kazuchika off, but Okada was able to roll through with a headlock takedown - Okada transitioning into a headscissor hold on the mat. Makabe rolled onto his front and broke free, then took Okada down with a side headlock - Okada's shoulders momentarily down, but Okada kicked out at one.
Rolling onto his stomach, Okada built up to his knees, then his feet - as Kazuchika Okada sent Makabe into the ropes, then caught an inbound Makabe with a big boot, but it did not move the veteran as much as he thought it would. Makabe came back with a big open handed chop to the chest, then followed up with a second one against the ropes. Okada shot back with a forearm, but Makabe came back with two more back elbow shots before the referee finally broke up the exchange. Okada backed up against the ropes, patted the chest of Togi obnoxiously, and Togi clobbered Okada with another sharp elbow smash. Makabe sent Okada off the ropes now, and Okada came back with a back elbow - Togi inviting Okada to repeat this tactic, and he did so with another running back elbow: but Makabe fired back with another big chop to the chest. Okada fired back with a chop of his own, and then another, backing up into the corner - but Makabe quickly cut him off with another elbow smash, and then a club across the back took Okada down to all fours.
Togi Makabe was asserting his dominance whilst Gedo, Okada's mentor, watched on from ringside: Makabe picking Okada up from his knees and body slamming him across the mat - the cover, but only for a one count at this time. Togi Makabe was just figuring Okada out: picking Okada up and delivering a big kick to the abdomen, then sent Okada flying into the corner spine first: Makabe charging looking for the running corner lariat - Okada able to moved out of the way, and then followed up with a flapjack that took Togi down hard! Kazuchika Okada had to recover now, whilst the G.B.H. leader tried to find his vertical basis. "Rainmaker" picked Makabe up to his feet, then took him down again with an arm-wrapped neckbreaker, Okada with the cover - but Makabe was up at two.
Kazuchika Okada was keeping the "Bousou Kingkong" down now, a straightjacket hold applied on the seated Makabe, and Togi was trying to rotated himself in direction of the ropes close to him - Okada trying to prevent it whilst Okada's knee dug deep into the vertebrae of Makabe, but Togi was able to reach the bottom rope with his foot, the break occurring. Okada eyed Makabe up as he used the corner for elevation: Okada charging and catching Makabe with the back elbow - then delivering four more with Togi sandwiched in the corner, each clashing with the side of Togi's skull! Okada thought he had Makabe where he wanted him, but Togi dragged him into the corner this time, delivering nine continuous standing lariat strikes in the corner! Makabe looked to go for a running lariat to finish this up, but Okada moved out of the way at the last second: Okada with a snapmare, and then hit the ropes for a dropkick to the back of Makabe's head - at this time only getting two!
The match was picking up as Togi rolled out to the apron for a quick breather. Okada slowly got back up to his feet and came over to confront Makabe: a forearm strike catching Makabe, who then missed a shoulder thrust. Okada delivered an uppercut to Makabe, before taking Togi's head and attempting the draping DDT through the second rope - but Makabe shot Okada off with a headbutt to the gut. Makabe ran up to the second rope on the outside, looking for a high risk move from the top, but as Makabe came down, Okada caught Togi with a dropkick in mid air! Makabe rolled outside, this time to the floor for some breath, and Okada wanted more of Togi Makabe! Okada booted Makabe in the head through the ropes for good measure and a little more room, before Okada prepared himself, then hit the ropes and dove over the top rope with a somersault senton topé landing right on top of Makabe's head and shoulders!
Okada had Makabe down on the outside, and the "Rainmaker" was getting into his prime element right now against the G.B.H. leader, Okada picking Makabe's heavy body up and rolling him back inside of the ring. Okada climbed back onto the apron and connected with the slingshot somersault senton on Makabe inside of the ring, covering but only for a near fall at this time. Okada stomped on Makabe as he picked him back up to his knees, hoping to attempt a fireman's carry, but Makabe was able to clobber Okada with some deep elbows driven into the back of Okada's cranium. Makabe had blocked Okada, and then powered Okada up, dropping him down with a kneeling powerbomb! Makabe then picked Okada up and dropped him with a second powerbomb, this time with the pin packaged in, but Okada was still able to kick out at two!
A back and forth match, Makabe was now refinding himself after taking some heavy offense from Okada moments before. Makabe picked Okada back up and popped him onto the top rope: Makabe renowned for his Spider Suplex, which often leads to the King Kong Knee Drop: Makabe then belting Okada twice across the back with his forearms. Makabe climbed up to the top with Okada, the top rope German suplex attempted here, and Okada went crashing down on the mat as Makabe suplexed him down to the mat hard! It could be game over here, as Makabe using his phenomenal core strength to pull himself back up to the top, then turned around to attempt the King Kong Knee Drop: but Okada was able to somehow roll out of the way!
Makabe went down crashing hard, holding his knee in pain from the attempt, whilst Okada then got back up to his feet, dazed in his own way: Okada delivering a huge dropkick to the back of Makabe's head! Okada recomposed himself, before approaching Makabe and attempting the over-shoulder neckbreaker across the knee - Makabe however, able to pull away from Okada, looking for a spear attempt - Kazuchika however forecasting it and delivering a DDT on Makabe! "Rainmaker" slowly reached his feet, looking at finishing Makabe up now, and Okada opened his arms wide open for the Rainmaker Lariat: picking Makabe up and going for a tombstone piledriver attempt that Makabe was able to free himself from - Makabe looking for a lariat that went missed, and Okada looked for a Rainmaker Lariat that Makabe broke with a forearm to the face! Makabe drilled Okada with two more elbow smashes, then hit the ropes to attempt the King Kong Lariat - Okada leapfrogging over Makabe, then powering the "Bousou Kingkong" onto his shoulders: tombstone piledriver executed! Okada used all of his effort to pull Makabe up to his feet, and this time, the Rainmaker Lariat connected, giving Okada the big one, two, three!Winner: Kazuchika Okada (2pts, 1-1) in 15:08 [****] In the end when it all drew to a close, only one man was able to stand, and his name was the "Rainmaker", Kazuchika Okada scoring his first victory of the tournament in an all-out war with the "Bousou Kingkong" Togi Makabe. Makabe slowly rolled out of the ring, the Great Bash Heel leader that won the 2009 G1 Climax, falling ultimately to the winner of the 2012 and 2014 tournaments - Okada now on the journey hunt to winning his third ever G1. Okada celebrated alongside Gedo, before Gedo took the microphone. Gedo talked Okada's rise to glory, and how fast that was - but now "Rainmaker"s rise back up to the top all over again must begin with winning the G1 Climax tournament for a third time - for a second time in two years! Gedo asked Okada to say a few words, which he then did.
Okada spoke about his previous loss to Bad Luck Fale, and what memories he had of that January night in the Tokyo Dome, where thirty-six thousand fans witnessed him lose to Hiroshi Tanahashi for the first time. And it happened yet again two years afterwards, at Wrestle Kingdom 9. And worst of all, Okada felt humiliated by crying immediately after that match. But not this year: Okada said that he wants the IWGP Heavyweihgt Championship - and that is now his priority. And he is rooting for Tanahashi to win the A block and meet him in the finals, because he wants some just revenge. Okada then thanked the Takamatsu crowd before wrapping it up, and as the venue emptied out, the announce team ran down the card before eventually signing off.
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