G1 Climax 24 - Day 6

G1 Climax 24

(2014/7/31)

1.       Block A: Bad Luck Fale vs. Doc Gallows

Unfortunately, this sucked. Sure, it wasn’t a DUD, but it was bad nevertheless. Both guys are big ass villains from Bullet Club, and the crowd was dead silent, no one was worth rooting for. Just a bad pro-wrestling match.

bad

2.       Block A: Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Yuji Nagata

The crowd was tough here, but mad, mad props to Nagata for waking them up in the second half. As for the match itself, eh, solid stuff, nothing particularly memorable or must-see, just decent pro-wrestling.

**1/2

3.       Block B: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Togi Makabe

These two had a solid feud last year, but this was not good. Sure, it had the focused story of Makabe struggling with the injured jaw, Yujiro taking advantage of it to build for Makabe’s hope spots, and so on, but there was just something missing, that “it” factor, that color that makes for good matches.

**1/4

4.       Block A: Satoshi Kojima vs. Katsuyori Shibata

There’s a running theme in Shibata matches that I really dig – if you want to execute your signature moves and combos, then you have to upgrade your game for a level or two, otherwise you’re fucked in the ass. And to be frank, this might be the match where that theme got expressed in its truest fashion. Kojima was trying, but in the end, he failed to step up, and paid the deadly price. Great sprint, great match.

****

5.       Block B: Karl Anderson vs. Hirooki Goto

Decent match, but in the end, forgettable and skippable. The wrestling was solid for the most part, but not particularly memorable or organic to care about, the only thing that was really good was the last minute where they were countering everything, those were cool visuals, so there you go, I’ll be remembering the finish at least.

**3/4

6.       Block B: Lance Archer vs. Minoru Suzuki

So, MiSu is an ace, but you already knew that. He goes after his SZKG mate’s leg and makes it a focal point of the match, simple and cool strategy, but Archer barely fucking sells it, which brought the match down, significantly, because it’d be really fucking good, but this way it’s just… solid. MiSu being a fucking ace he is, saves the match from total mediocrity by creating another stellar finishing run, and, of course, his angry goblin face tells the entire story.

**3/4

7.       Block A: Shelton Benjamin vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Benjamin is pissed off for having his winning streak broken, so he wants to make sure not to fail again, he targets Nakamura’s leg relentlessly, which was a nice focus from Shelton, and just goes after it, really cool to see. Nakamura sold it perfectly DURING the workovers, but not so much when it was time for him to hit the comeback spots. However, post-match selling is extremely important in puroresu, Shinsuke was letting us know his leg is in big pain, it’s just that he got hit by adrenaline rush to fight through pain. Very good match.

***1/2

8.       Block B: AJ Styles vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan

Aaaaand, this wonderful Tenzan redemption journey continues! Yet another good match and good performance by the good old Bull. Of course, Styles is a fucking BOSS too, it takes two to tango. Good shit.

***1/2

9.       Block B: Toru Yano vs. Kazuchika Okada

These Yano matches, man, you know exactly what you’ll get, but they’re still fun and… fresh. Yes, fresh, no kidding. He knows, logically, he stands no chance against Rainmaker, so he cheats right, left and centre, but Okada is just too smart… or is he? Finishing stretch was superb.

***1/4

10.   Block A: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

These two gladiators, they did it again, an excellent match, alls I’m sayin, I don’t really feel like writing much about this one, hopefully those four snowflakes down under can tell you everything. The match was rough and well paced, manliness 101, and they also added some neat twists, especially Tanahashi in the end.

****

The weakest event of the tournament so far, but still had two great matches, and three good ones. Sweet.

G1 Climax 24 - Day 5

G1 Climax 24

(2014/7/28)

1.      Block A: Doc Gallows vs. Tomohiro Ishii

What a phenomenal freakin’ opener! An 8 minute sprint worked in a rollercoaster pace, loaded with smashmouth style, rabid bashing, excitement and drama. This was an Ishii structure, through and through, put that man in opening matches, and you have the crowd going bonkers for everything else later on.

****1/4

2.      Block B: Lance Archer vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan

Archer’s got his space jobber tights back, hell yeah. This was such a fine opener, like, I can’t even grasp it yet, I knew it’d be solid at least, but damn it, they overdelivered. Getting more ringtime to develop a story certainly helped, mos def. Tenzan’s on a highly praised, standout veteran run in this year’s G1, he seems crazy motivated and ready, he’s also in a fit shape and not afraid of heavy bumping. That being said, he needs to stop doing those knee-crushing moonsaults, for his own damn sake. And, what about Chris Sabin’s Big Brother? Yeah, this New Japan run has done wonderful wonders for his body of work, he’s turned into such a versatile big man wrestler.

***1/2

3.      Block B: Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Satoshi Kojima

Now, I don’t really know what to write about this match, because nothing really memorable happened, just 10-11 minutes of good pro-wrestling, with both guys playing their characters very well. Another very strong finish, compelling stuff.

***

4.      Block A: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki

Are you a fan of seeing Yujiro get smacked and slapped around? Because I sure as hell am! MiSu is still pissed and it’s bad news for the Bullet Club sellout. Strong match with an even stronger finish, really liked it. MiSu’s furious goblin face > > >

***1/2

5.      Block B: Karl Anderson vs. Toru Yano

Funny as hell, this match right here, this was comedy done right, Karl was taunting and abusing YTR for the whole time, stealing his shtick and making everyone laugh. But, is it enough to survive Yano’s deadly low blow + sloppy roll-up combination?

GOLD

6.      Block A: Shelton Benjamin vs. Katsuyori Shibata

Such a swell match, Shelton’s confidence is at all time high due to being 4-0, and fuck it, you can say the same about Shibata after beating both Nakamura and Tanahashi. Shibata is such a rough fella, but Shelton is here to fight, and dammit, that’s what we got, a stiff and exciting match that helped both in the end – Shibata got even more over, and Shelton didn’t lose his mojo despite the loss. Fantastic selling of each other’s devastating finishers (Paydirt and Penalty Kick), it was like death knocking on their doors. Recommended stuff.

***3/4

7.      Block B: AJ Styles vs. vs. Hirooki Goto

Totally different than the Naito brilliance, but still pretty damn great in its own way, AJ’s heel work was top notch yet again, and on top of that, dude’s getting some serious love from the crowds, hell, I even heard clear dueling chants, mos def. They’re recognizing AJ’s greatness. Anyway, this was another one of those matches where you can’t really pick that one moment or two (Goto’s Code Red maybe?) and put it on paper to ramble about it, I mean, words can’t do it justice, you just have to check the match, it’s quite awesome. I guess I could mention both guys working each other’s neck really hard to setup their respective finishers.

****

8.      Block A: Bad Luck Fale vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

What we got here is the BITW Tanahashi taking on the most improved wrestler of the year, a fairly big fella. The story writes itself, really, and it’s just so good. Impressive sprint with many nifty moments.

***3/4

9.      Block A: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tomoaki Honma

Honma’s “weakest” match of the tournament thus far, and it’s still very good. ‘Nuff said. Nice battle of psychologies here.

***1/2

10.  Block B: Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito

High-octane, slick, stiff, physical, energetic, and all that in a very fast pace, yes, this was the match they should’ve had at Wrestle Kingdom, instead of that flop they worked. This rocked.

****1/4

The show where EVERYTHING was good at worst, so there you go. G1 is BOSS.

G1 Climax 24 - Day 4

G1 Climax 24

(2014/7/26)

1.      Block A: Bad Luck Fale vs. Satoshi Kojima

Quite similar to Fale/Nagata, a good little match with a seasoned veteran trying to hang with younger generation, although Fale detractors will probably dislike it. Kojima is aging tremendously well. He’s also crazy over.

***

2.      Block A: Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Shelton Benjamin

The match had its moments, such as the opening minute or two, and another cool finishing combo by Shelton, but overall – it was bad and kind of dull. What killed it for me was Davey Boy completely ignoring the face that Shelton had him in ankle lock for about a minute, totally bad and ignorant selling right there. But Shelton is 4-0 now, bitches!

bad

3.      Block B: Minoru Suzuki vs. vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan

Two veterans exchanging stiff blows and holds, but MiSu has to take it one step further considering he’s 0-2. Good match with even better finish. Tenzan overdelivers once again.

***1/4

4.      Block B: Toru Yano vs. Hirooki Goto

Goto is 3-0 going into this one, but can he survive Yano’s gaga shenanigans? Beware of low blows, Goto. Too short to rate.

N/A

5.      Block A: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tomoaki Honma

Sweet fucking Jesus, this was insane. Ishii’s head bouncing up and down during that DDT… it was almost too much. There were tons of manliness, roughness, excitement and drama, these two fucking killed each other. Motherfucker! I can’t even imagine the physical toll something like this takes on their bodies, mad fucking respect for both warriors.

****3/4

6.      Block B: Lance Archer vs. Togi Makabe

Makabe’s injured jaw came into play in all three previous matches, but strangely, not in this one. Shame, because the match needed more color, mos def. Decent, but totally forgettable.

**1/2

7.      Block A: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Yuji Nagata

Nagata’s having a corking veteran year, he stepped the fuck up here, an excellent veteran underdog performance, he held nothing back against Shinsuke, very stiff stuff. The finishing stretch was neat.

***3/4

8.      Block B: AJ Styles vs. Tetsuya Naito

This match should be considered an instant classic, it blew my fucking mind, man. Never thought I’d witness AJ digging out his inner Stan Hansen and Terry Funk in a pro-wrestling match. LOVED IT. Seriously, he was THAT phenomenal. Naito’s carved forehead came into play big time, and AJ took an enormous advantage on it, it was fantastic, such a tremendous heel performance for AJ, really helped to put Naito over with constant cut-offs every time he attempts a heroic comeback. I reckon this performance, this match right here did wonders for Naito. And you know what the best thing is? They didn’t even blow all of their load, there’s a lot of room for a potential rematch that could get full fucking boat. This was crazy good.

****3/4

9.      Block B: Karl Anderson vs. Kazuchika Okada

Karl is 0-3, Okada is 3-0 going into the match. Naturally, Karl is trying to take as many shortcuts as possible, which bring big heel heat on him, and Okada was crazy over already. Pretty good back-and-forth stuff some really nasty smacks thrown around, i.e. Okada’s head-sweeping dropkick. The last minute was buggy with all them counters, which has become a very positive trend in Karl Anderson matches.

***1/2

10.  Block A: Katsuyori Shibata vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Now, I don’t know how many of you know the backstory for this match, but nvm, it’s basically two dudes hating (or strongly disliking at least) each other for various reasons, and each dude hates other dude’s puroresu with passion. And of course it comes into play for the whole duration of the match, I could list you so many situations and details that were grandiose, but it’d be kind of futile, I’ll just say the match was fucking great, with many heavy smacks thrown around, and contains quite possibly the greatest post-match selling in a VERY long time.

****1/4

The event had a hiccup or two, but who fucking cares when we got THOSE matches?!