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NJPW G1 Climax results From Hiroshima, Japan - 7/23/24
1 - Shoma Kato, Tomoaki Honma and Hirooki Goto vs. Katsuya Murashima, Toru Yano and Boltin Oleg
Oleg forces Kato to tap out to a Boston Crab.
2 - BUSHI and Yota Tsuji vs. El Phantasmo and Jado
Tsuji hits Jado with a knee strike and a curb stomp.
Tsuji pins Jado.
El Phantasmo continues with this mopey attitude after his split with Hikuleo when they lost the IWGP Tag Team Titles. This gimmick is already old and tired. ELP needs a spark or something to redefine his character.
3 - HENARE and Francesco Akira vs. David Finlay and Gedo
Akira hits a Fireball on Gedo.
Akira pins Gedo.
G1 Climax 34 Matches:
4 - Konosuke Takeshita vs. Jeff Cobb
Good match. Takeshita attempted a flying shoulder tackle and Cobb pushed him across the ring. Takeshita hits a Superplex on Cobb off the top rope. Takeshita hits a Poisonrana. These two big men were flying around like Juniors. Cobb blocked a Powerdrive Knee and turned it into a Spincycle. Cobb with a Uranage and clubbing lariat. Two count. Takeshita with a Blue Thunder Bomb. Two count. Takeshita hits a Raging Fire.
Takeshita pins Cobb.
Konosuke Takeshita has 4 points.
Jeff Cobb has 2 points.
5 - Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Callum Newman
Solid match. This was a test for Newman to wrestle a technician and submission specialist like ZSJ, after losing to SANADA two nights ago. Both men traded quick strikes and quick impact moves. ZSJ traps Newman in a triangle choke. Newman got to his feet and stomps on ZSJ's head. ZSJ shifted his legs, taking down Newman by the neck. With his neck and arm trapped, ZSJ grabbed an ankle lock.
Newman verbally submits.
Zack Sabre Jr. remains unbeaten with 6 points, and the lead in A Block.
Callum Newman has 2 points.
6 - Shingo Takagi vs. Great O-Khan
ELP was on English commentary. He was hilarious about commenting on Great O-Khan's long entrance to the ring.
Stiff match. O-Khan has been trying to grapple in his G1 matches.
Takagi pins O-Khan after a big pumping bomber.
Shingo Takagi has 4 points.
Great O-Khan has 0 points.
7 - Shota Umino vs. Gabe Kidd
Stiff match. These men got into a fight at the G1 press conference. They traded strikes and chops. Both men were dripping with sweat in the hot arena. They traded open hand slaps and pushed the referee out of the way. This is a grudge match. They trade reversals. Kidd hits a Piledriver. Umino kicks out. Kidd throws a punch to the jaw and puts Umino in a Lion Tamer. Kidd hits a Gutwrench Powerbomb.
Kidd pins Umino.
Gabe Kidd has 4 points.
Shota Umino has 2 points.
Good match. Kidd and Umino could be a great feud for years to come.
8 - SANADA vs. EVIL
El Phantasmo made a comment about friends leaving to make a lot of money while he stays here and suffers.
SANADA comes out in a House of Torture shirt. EVIL and Togo shake hands with SANADA. EVIL thanks SANADA for joining them. SANADA lies on the mat for a pin. EVIL goes for a pin but SANADA grabs him in a small package. EVIL gets mad and leaves the ring. SANADA chases him down and throws him in the ring to start the match.
Togo and EVIL pull out their normal tricks. SANADA must fight from behind. Referee bump. They double team SANADA. The crowd boos loudly for House of Torture. EVIL gets a chair. SANADA dropkicks the chair in EVIL's face. SANADA dropkicks Togo to the floor. SANADA hits a Shining Wizard. EVIL hits a low blow. SANADA hits a low blow in return. EVIL hits Darkness Falls. Two count. SANADA with a Magic Screw. SANADA hits a Moonsault. EVIL kicks out. SANADA hits Everything is Evil on EVIL. But SANADA does not go for a pin. He hits a Shining Wizard on EVIL. They exchange reversals. EVIL hits an Ura-EVIL ( reverse spinning neckbreaker).
EVIL pins SANADA.
EVIL has 6 points and now tied with Zack Sabre Jr. for the lead in A Block.
SANADA remains at 2 points.
9 - Tetsuya Naito vs. Jake Lee
Match began slow. Lee lifted Naito by the neck and slammed him to mat. They fight to the floor and Lee batters Naito against the guardrails. Lee drags Naito to the entryway and hits a DDT on the ramp. Naito is almost counted out. Lee wears down Naito with a sleeper hold. Naito recovers and attacks Lee's neck. Lee hammers Naito with punches. Lee mocks the Hiroshima fans and flips them off. Naito fights back with elbows. Lee hits a knee strike and a back suplex. Lee misses a Facebreak Shot. Naito throws elbows. Lee goes for a chokeslam. Naito reverses into a Destino.
Naito pins Lee.
Tetsuya Naito earns 2 points.
Jake Lee has 2 points.
A Block Standings:
|
|
Points |
|
Shota Umino |
2 |
|
Tetsuya Naito |
2 |
|
Shingo Takagi |
4 |
|
SANADA |
2 |
|
Great O-Khan |
0 |
|
Callum Newman |
2 |
|
Zack Sabre Jr. |
6 |
|
Gabe Kidd |
4 |
|
Jake Lee |
2 |
|
EVIL |
6 |
B Block Standings:
|
|
Points |
|
Boltin Oleg |
2 |
|
El Phantasmo |
0 |
|
Hirooki Goto |
0 |
|
Yota Tsuji |
2 |
|
Yuya Uemura |
4 |
|
Jeff Cobb |
2 |
|
HENARE |
4 |
|
David Finlay |
0 |
|
Ren Narita |
2 |
|
Konosuke Takeshita |
4 |
THOUGHTS ON El Desperado: El Desperado announced he will be having surgery on his meniscus. This was probably one of the reasons why DOUKI got the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Belt at New Japan Soul. Desperado has wrestled in multiple promotions and in many types of matches, including Death Matches, which is not good on his body. New Japan should keep their top talents and healthy as possible to keep their business in Japan as strong as possible.
This has been a bad pattern in recent years. Top Juniors in New Japan such as Taiji Ishimori, Hiromu Takahashi, Francesco Akira, YOH, Ryusuke Taguchi and now El Desperado have missed significant time due to a major injury. Some have gotten injured while champion or during a tournament. Injuries are common, but it does affect booking decisions, and potentially, crowd attendance if their favorites are getting injured. Luckily, the Junior Division is on break during the G1 Climax. Hopefully, El Desperado can heal up in time for Wrestle Kingdom.
Thank you for reading.
James Kurokawa
Thank you for reading.
James Kurokawa
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