NJPW G1 Climax 27

[#BROKEN Hasney]

http://i.imgur.com/Qm0woTQ.gif
http://i.imgur.com/uSuL2UQ.gif

Thought I may as well make a thread, here's the line up and dates

A Block
Hiroshi Tanahashi
Togi Makabe
Yuji Nagata
Hirooki Goto
Tomohiro Ishii
YOSHI-HASHI
Bad Luck Fale
Tetsuya Naito
Zack Sabre Jr.
Kota Ibushi

B Block
Satoshi Kojima
Juice Robinson
Michael Elgin
Kazuchika Okada
Toru Yano
Kenny Omega
Tama Tonga
EVIL
SANADA
Minoru Suzuki

July 17 in Hokkaido, 2AM start (A Block, English Commentary)
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Kota Ibushi vs. Tetsuya Naito
Yuji Nagata vs. YOSHI-HASHI
Togi Makabe vs. Bad Luck Fale
Hirooki Goto vs. Tomohiro Ishii

July 20 in Korakuen Hall, 5:30AM (B Block, English Commentary)
Minoru Suzuki vs. Kenny Omega
SANADA vs. EVIL
Kazuchika Okada vs. Toru Yano
Michael Elgin vs. Tama Tonga
Satoshi Kojima vs. Juice Robinson

July 21 in Korakuen Hall, 5:30AM (A Block, English Commentary)

Tetsuya Naito vs. YOSHI-HASHI
Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Yuji Nagata vs. Hirooki Goto
Togi Makabe vs. Tomohiro Ishii
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale

July 22 in Korakuen Hall, 5:30AM (B Block, English Commentary)

Kenny Omega vs. Tama Tonga
Minoru Suzuki vs. SANADA
EVIL vs. Juice Robinson
Kazuchika Okada vs. Michael Elgin
Satoshi Kojima vs. Toru Yano

July 23 in Tokyo Machida Gymnasium, 5AM (A Block)

Kota Ibushi vs. Tomohiro Ishii
Togi Makabe vs. Hirooki Goto
Tetsuya Naito vs. Bad Luck Fale
YOSHI-HASHI vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Yuji Nagata

July 25 in Fukushima, 5:30AM (B Block)

Kazuchika Okada vs. SANADA
Kenny Omega vs. Toru Yano
Tama Tonga vs. EVIL
Juice Robinson vs. Minoru Suzuki
Satoshi Kojima vs. Michael Elgin

July 26 in Miyagi, 5:30AM (A Block)

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hirooki Goto
Kota Ibushi vs. Togi Makabe
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Bad Luck Fale
Tomohiro Ishii vs. YOSHI-HASHI
Tetsuya Naito vs. Yuji Nagata

July 27 in Niigata, 5:30AM (B Block)

Michael Elgin vs. Kenny Omega
Minoru Suzuki vs. EVIL
SANADA vs. Toru Yano
Juice Robinson vs. Tama Tonga
Kazuchika Okada vs. Satoshi Kojima

July 29 in Aichi, 5AM (A Block)

Tetsuya Naito vs. Tomohiro Ishii
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. YOSHI-HASHI
Hirooki Goto vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Kota Ibushi vs. Bad Luck Fale
Togi Makabe vs. Yuji Nagata

July 30 in Gifu, 3:30AM (B Block)

Kenny Omega vs. Satoshi Kojima
Kazuchika Okada vs. Juice Robinson
Michael Elgin vs. SANADA
Minoru Suzuki vs. Tama Tonga
EVIL vs. Toru Yano

August 1 in Kagoshima, 5:30AM (A Block)

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Yuji Nagata
YOSHI-HASHI vs. Bad Luck Fale
Tetsuya Naito vs. Hirooki Goto
Togi Makabe vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

August 2 in Fukuoka, 5:30AM (B Block)

Kenny Omega vs. EVIL
Minoru Suzuki vs. Satoshi Kojima
Kazuchika Okada vs. Tama Tonga
SANADA vs. Juice Robinson
Michael Elgin vs. Toru Yano

August 4 in Ehime, 6AM (A Block)

Tetsuya Naito vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Togi Makabe
Kota Ibushi vs. Yuji Nagata
Hirooki Goto vs. YOSHI-HASHI
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Bad Luck Fale

August 5 in Osaka, 4AM (B Block)

Kazuchika Okada vs. EVIL
Satoshi Kojima vs. SANADA
Minoru Suzuki vs. Michael Elgin
Tama Tonga vs. Toru Yano
Kenny Omega vs. Juice Robinson

August 6 in Shizuoka, 3AM (A Block)

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii
Tetsuya Naito vs. Togi Makabe
Hirooki Goto vs. Bad Luck Fale
Kota Ibushi vs. YOSHI-HASHI
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Yuji Nagata

August 8 in Kanagawa, 5:30AM (B Block)

Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki
Kenny Omega vs. SANADA
Juice Robinson vs. Toru Yano
Michael Elgin vs. EVIL
Satoshi Kojima vs. Tama Tonga

August 11 at Ryōgoku Sumo Hall, 5:30AM (Final A Block show, English Commentary)

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tetsuya Naito
Kota Ibushi vs. Hirooki Goto
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Bad Luck Fale vs. Yuji Nagata
Togi Makabe vs. YOSHI-HASHI

August 12 at Ryōgoku Sumo Hall, 5:30AM (Final B Block show, English Commentary)

Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega
Minoru Suzuki vs. Toru Yano
Tama Tonga vs. SANADA
Michael Elgin vs. Juice Robinson
Satoshi Kojima vs. EVIL

August 13 at Ryōgoku Sumo Hall, 2AM (G1 Climax 27 Finals,English Commentary)

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) (c) vs. Taguchi Japan (Ryusuke Taguchi and Ricochet)
IWGP Tag Team Championship: War Machine (Raymond Rowe and Hanson) (c) vs. Bullet Club (Cody and Hangman Page)
G1 Climax 27 Finals: A Block winner vs. B Block winner

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Won't see it until I get home from work tonight, but already hearing amazing things about Naito V Ibushi, unsurprisingly. NJPW World also gave the event away for free, so I'll link up the VOD when it's up. Just a shot saying Thank you for watching right now.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Ah bugger, only the live feed of night 1 was free. The VOD is paid.

[Mr. Nerfect]

They can tell some really good stories through this. I expect there to be a bit of competition between Tanahashi and Goto to see who can catch Naito, with the final Block A show having Ibushi spoil Goto and Tanahashi to beat Naito and win the thing.

Block B will be a race between Okada and Suzuki, I think. I actually think Omega will have a slow start, but pick things up towards the end, where he is fighting for personal pride more than anything else. I can see Okada vs. Suzuki being the first loss for one in the entire thing. That would imply that Okada would need to beat Omega to win the block, which I don't think is impossible. It would certainly be a dramatic end to things, where Omega is basically just trying to stop Okada from winning the damn thing.

Tanahashi vs. Okada is still my prediction for the G1 Final. That being said, Tanahashi vs. Suzuki would not be the most shocking thing in the world to me. I just do think it is going to be Tanahashi vs. Okada, and I can honestly see Okada beating Omega to get there.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Tanahashi vs. Okada is still my prediction for the G1 Final.

Noooo, that's Cena V Orton levels of done. Since Tanahashi took the IC belt from Natio, I'd love an Okada/Naito final.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Spoiler for the ZSJ/Tanahashi match

https://i.imgur.com/c7cAP2I_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=high

[Mr. Nerfect]

Noooo, that's Cena V Orton levels of done. Since Tanahashi took the IC belt from Natio, I'd love an Okada/Naito final.

They're trying to get new fans on board though. It's an inoffensive way to get back to the match without blowing anything spectacular (although Tanahashi and Okada always have modern classics). Naito/Okada is the other major possibility, but doesn't it give it away as a major match a bit early? Like, if Naito wins, then it becomes a rematch at Wrestle Kingdom. So Okada would go over and then what? I guess it's still got a decent story to it, with Okada probably choosing to face someone else and Naito stewing for a few months.

[Vastardikai]

You know, for some reason, I see Suzuki vs. SANADA being good.

[Mr. Nerfect]

SANADA is apparently awesome. I haven't seen much of him. Suzuki is the tyrant king.

[Vastardikai]

Also, ZSJ over Tanahashi? Shocker, though he is awesome.

[Volare]

Spoiler for the ZSJ/Tanahashi match

https://i.imgur.com/c7cAP2I_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=high

WHAT?!?!?!?

[Destor]

Love some round robins


I'll watch when I get home...may watch in the office

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Love some round robins


I'll watch when I get home...may watch in the office

Honestly surprised WWE has never tried the format during brand splits. Pre-made blocks, easy way to have meaningful matches and have feuds come out the back of them and have a Raw V SD final.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Watching this now and Suzuki and Omega just brawling is fantastic undercard.

[Destor]

Honestly surprised WWE has never tried the format during brand splits. Pre-made blocks, easy way to have meaningful matches and have feuds come out the back of them and have a Raw V SD final.They dont like sport based elements. Not a critique, just not their style.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

They dont like sport based elements. Not a critique, just not their style.

Yeah, I figured it wasn't too far removed from King of the Ring though, but you're probably right.

This Sanada/Bushi V EVIL/Takahashi tag match was fantastic. This undercard is delivering despite it being the usual bunch of tag matches.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Yano & Jado V Okada & Gedo. LMAO

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Yano wins via double low blow!

[Destor]

SPOILER TAGS

[#BROKEN Hasney]

SPOILER TAGS

You missed one. Post 10 :p

[Destor]

fixed...

[Destor]

Unless you want this to be the live thread...in which case add spoilers in the title....

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Nah, I won't be watching much live so I don't mind spoilering finishes

[#BROKEN Hasney]

CLIMAX TIME!!!

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Also some matches in the G1

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Fucking Yoshi Hashi.....

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Nagata is old and Yoshi looks like an interior designer, but the do like to slap the shit out of each other to make up for it.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

This is better than expected. Yoshis main fault is that he's very competent on a show full of people who constantly deliver. He's got time though.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Makabe/Fale is about what you would expect.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

GOTO AND ISHII ARE MURDERING EACH OTHER

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Wow. ZSJ and Tanahashi put on a technical masterpiece focusing on joints. Naito and Ibushi next up and I already know it's apparently a high flying masterpiece. Last 3 matches of this show are all amazing in very different ways.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

This is the battle of who can break the others neck first. Jesus.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Naito feels like The Rock. not in terms of charisma, although the crowd is eating it up, but just how he was rejected as a babyface when he was being pushed, but he's so over now.

[Fignuts]

Undercard tag matches have been great.

Sanada with a cool new attire. Gonna make that in fire pro when I get home. They need his move where he pretzels the dude in the game. Great that they added skull end tho.

Eveything about the Chaos tag match was great. Laughed out loud at Jado's faceplant.

Will watch the rest when I get home.

[Emperor Smeat]

First show was pretty great overall.

[Vastardikai]

I get this weird feeling that the Main Event of Wrestle Kingdom is going to be

Omega vs. Suzuki, with Omega going over. Like, 1 of them wins G1 and the other dethrone Okada. Likely being Suzuki being the champ going in, have Okada look past him in favor of another Omega match for G1, get injured in the match, and Suzuki clean up the bones for the title.

[Destor]

Hashi v Nagata was pretty great

[Destor]

Also am i the only one who never even considers english commentary?

[Mr. Nerfect]

I have a feeling this tournament is going to be really "good."

[Mr. Nerfect]

Honestly surprised WWE has never tried the format during brand splits. Pre-made blocks, easy way to have meaningful matches and have feuds come out the back of them and have a Raw V SD final.

It sounds like it would be nice, but as Destor said, they're not really into that sort of stuff. And if they attempted it, then it would be chaos.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Ibushi V ZSJ on Friday. The CWC final we should have had.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Not too hyped for Thursday, but Minoru Suzuki vs. Kenny Omega &
SANADA vs. EVIL should be fun. Kojima Vs. Juice has the possibility to surprise.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I honestly think that Suzuki vs. Omega might be one of the highlights of the tournament. Didn't Suzuki have a match with AJ Styles that really helped him pop in New Japan?

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I honestly think that Suzuki vs. Omega might be one of the highlights of the tournament. Didn't Suzuki have a match with AJ Styles that really helped him pop in New Japan?

Yeah, he seems to have aged a lot in 3 years though weirdly and is moving quite a bit slower. Still, Omega has cardio for days and can probably carry the pace of the match. Suzuki still has the best music and is the best heel.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kenny's comments at backstage after the match! And watch the full video &quot;G1 CLIMAX 27&quot; Day01 on <a href="https://t.co/LZOijkGFAk">https://t.co/LZOijkGFAk</a> <a href="https://t.co/QLK1tMuNkW">pic.twitter.com/QLK1tMuNkW</a></p>&mdash; njpw_global (@njpwglobal) <a href="https://twitter.com/njpwglobal/status/887235074478845953">July 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Destor]

Havent watched a lot of puro since the worked mma style took hold at the turn of the century. Using this as a launching point to try and get into the product.

Random gripe: snap ranas are spammed so much they have as much credibility as an arm drag and are infact used in their place as transition moves more often than not. Dislike.

[Destor]

*ive watched a lot of NOAH

[Fignuts]

Yeah I was huge into Noah from 03'-06

DAT KOBASHI TITLE REIGN

Sad how much they've fallen since Misiwa died.

[Destor]

Was to be expect given his role in the company though

[Mr. Nerfect]

NOAH used to be the bomb. It's a definite shame about what happened. I hope they can kind of have a New Japan-like resurrection though.

[Fignuts]

AJPW has apoarently been improving their numbers since Akiyama took over.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Day 2 Live in an hour. Will likely do the same thing and wait until I get home.

[Emperor Smeat]

:eek: SANADA gave a stunner/cutter from the top rope to the floor to EVIL during their G1 match.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Only watching the G1 matches, but we starting. Juicey juice and Kojima

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Goddamn, I love the G1. Never know who will pick up a win against who. Onto the third match.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

EVIL V SANADA was much better than it had any right to be. The transitions before the final finish were amazing.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Okada and Yano are great. Okada is playing into the comedy as a straight man, like redoing up the turbuckle pad when Yano undoes it.

[Evil Vito]

As someone who has watched individual NJPW shows but is not really on the up-and-up in the stories, why would Okada be in this if the prize is for a title shot at Wrestle Kingdom? Or if he were to win is it just an "insurance policy" should he lose the belt before January?

Just feels a bit like if the champion were to enter the Royal Rumble.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

As someone who has watched individual NJPW shows but is not really on the up-and-up in the stories, why would Okada be in this if the prize is for a title shot at Wrestle Kingdom? Or if he were to win is it just an "insurance policy" should he lose the belt before January?

Just feels a bit like if the champion were to enter the Royal Rumble.

It's a prestigious tournament and winning it is a feather in the cap. They'll just find a new challenger for Wrestle Kingdom if the champ wins.

[Evil Vito]

Ah, easy enough :y:

[#BROKEN Hasney]

God fucking damn, I think this is the most vicious Suzuki has ever been and that's saying something.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Fuck, think there's an issue with the English VOD as it cuts off during Suzuki/Omega constantly

[Fignuts]

Watching this now. Love Korakuen Hall

Ibushi vs Sabre already has a big fight feel.

Gotta say, I was one of the doubters of Sabre's physique at first, but I get it now. He wouldn't be able to pull off what he does if he was thicker, and his positioning and the way he torques limbs makes it believable that bigger guys could struggle to escape.

Kawato seems like he has potential

Jesus that missle dropkick by ibushi should be played in museums

Good match.

[Fignuts]

lol I need that Yuji Nagata shirt

Iishi vs Makabe is going to be good

Iishi vs anybody is good tho

Makabe doesn't give a fuck

[Fignuts]

Crowd wooing with the chops

Love Korakuen

[Fignuts]

Hated CJ Parker in NXT

As Juice, he impressed me at the G1 special in USA

He fucking blew me away here. What a great match.

That leaping unprettier is great looking too.

[Fignuts]

I love GOD, but I really would love a Tama Tonga singles run

lol Elgins ass right in front of that ladys face

Another great match. Amazing finish.

[Fignuts]

Jesus that fucking chairshot by Evil

God that sequence that led into the skull end was beautiful

Loved this match

[Fignuts]

Yano is so much fun.

[Fignuts]

All the ladies shouting in despair for Kennys leg

Oh shit nwo style mugging

Yeah fale

Korakuen is fucking HOT for this match

Another incredible main event.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Tomorrow is going to be LIT

Tetsuya Naito vs. YOSHI-HASHI
Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

[Evil Vito]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I don't really care if Adolf Hitler was an amazingly talented painter, he should get no compliments. These fucks Omega, Ibushi, same thing. <a href="https://t.co/5wlzeNAnbi">https://t.co/5wlzeNAnbi</a></p>&mdash; Jim Cornette (@TheJimCornette) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheJimCornette/status/888089909441032192">July 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This has to be one of the dumbest things I've ever heard out of a wrestling personality, and that takes some doing.

[Destor]

Dont even know what he means by that...anyways

Just realized how far behind i will be. Mostly waych wrwstling while i lift and cook. So itll take me on average 2 days to finish one show...dunno.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Think they got the order of day 3s matches mixed up. First two were excellent and brutal then ZSJ and Ibushi stole the show... Came V Tanahashi and Naito V YOSHI HASHI weren't anything to write home about.

[Evil Vito]

I only today found out about Bullet Club merch being sold at Hot Topic, so I went into the one in the mall for the first time since I was in high school. Hundreds of shirts including loads of different WWE ones, but alas no Bullet Club to be found.

Checked their website for the hell of it and see they are completely out of stock for every size.

That's pretty damn over.

[mike adamle]

Also am i the only one who never even considers english commentary?

Nope. Japanese only for me too, so much more exciting

[Fignuts]

Think they got the order of day 3s matches mixed up. First two were excellent and brutal then ZSJ and Ibushi stole the show... Came V Tanahashi and Naito V YOSHI HASHI weren't anything to write home about.

I thought Yoshie vs Naito was actually pretty great.

Also, the bullet club tag match is worth checking out. Both for storyline purposes and because its fun.

[Destor]

Finished day 2. Real strong card all around

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I thought Yoshie vs Naito was actually pretty great.

Also, the bullet club tag match is worth checking out. Both for storyline purposes and because its fun.

It was pretty great, but the state of talent in NJPW right now is that is almost the baseline. It was fine, just outshined.

Was looking forward to watching one live today, but woke up late!

[Emperor Smeat]

http://i.imgur.com/XVdvOTs.gif

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rest in pieces Darryl! ��</p>&mdash; TheUnderboss (@TOKSFALE) <a href="https://twitter.com/TOKSFALE/status/888713818397753344">July 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Sixx]

No idea what he tore there.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

No idea what he tore there.

Darryl

[Emperor Smeat]

A stuffed cat named Darryl.

https://68.media.tumblr.com/2e3043f84758b3564f29a50fb5201994/tumblr_orv9o65tyS1sh05n8o1_500.png

[Sixx]

Oh... Was it a "friend" of some wrestler?

[Emperor Smeat]

Yes. It was Hiromu Takahashi's way of coping with losing another friend he called "Mr Belt" (IWGP Junior title).

[Sixx]

Jesus. That's WWE level of stupid.

[Sixx]

Maybe even WCW.

Not as bad as TNA, though.

[Volare]

I dunno, Hiromu looks crazy enough.

[Fignuts]

Jesus fuck was Elgin vs Okada good.

[Droford]

I only today found out about Bullet Club merch being sold at Hot Topic, so I went into the one in the mall for the first time since I was in high school. Hundreds of shirts including loads of different WWE ones, but alas no Bullet Club to be found.

Checked their website for the hell of it and see they are completely out of stock for every size.

That's pretty damn over.
Supposed to be restocked within a few weeks

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Damn, Okada V Elgin was fantastic.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Event going on and I'm here at a work conference
... Godammit!

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at the Omega-Yano match.

Haven't laughed that much watching a match since maybe the battle royale from the Joey Janela show at Mania week.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Ha, loved the start if EVIL and Tonga, just saying to take it outside so they can brawl. Alright match, same with Big Mike earlier.

Those lady screams for Big Mike make me think he's cleaning up in Japan if he wants to...

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Lol at Omega before the match "God fucjing dammit I forgot the belt. I'm gonna be in big trouble!"

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Red Shoes is the greatest ref in the business

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Kenny's so good he can wrestle with both his feet tied together. My fucking god lmao

[Destor]

Im still on the 21st. Got the main to watch

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Yano V Omega was 9 stars

http://i.imgur.com/VWPlRYb.gif
http://i.imgur.com/QQMNmBH.gif

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Somewhere Cornette was crying and he had no idea why.

[Evil Vito]

So I'm behind on this, slowly catching up - only just finished day 2. Skipping the tag matches for now and just getting right in the tourney.

But there has not been one match that I've disliked yet. This is so fucking fun.

[Destor]

So I'm behind on this, slowly catching up - only just finished day 2. Skipping the tag matches for now and just getting right in the tourney.

The tags are so important though....

[#BROKEN Hasney]

The tags are so important though....

I just can't watch that much wrestling with everything else I want to do. I get the give of Naito fistbumping invisible Daryl though :(

[Ultra Mantis]

It's been a bad month for my favourite wrestlers and their stuffed animal friends.

[Evil Vito]

I just can't watch that much wrestling with everything else I want to do. I get the give of Naito fistbumping invisible Daryl though :(

Pretty much this. I was trying to watch the same week's Raw and SD back to back in my Network watch-through in order to compare the shows and it was tough to find a 3 hour block to do it with any degree of regularity.

Maybe I'll go back and watch the tags later but just wanna catch up on the actual tourney in the meantime.

Turns out NJPW World isn't blocked at work so since I have 2 monitors I popped one on and got through the second day that way. :cool:

[Destor]

Finished 7.21

Hot show. Several matches worth praise. As much as i detest Saber Jr.'s look he's a fantastic on the mat. Wish he would stray away from shoot holds though. If you opponent can survive 3 min in your triangle on the regular it means you suck not that he's superhuman.

[Mr. Nerfect]

That's true. The guy is fluid as hell though. When I saw him in the CWC, he was absolutely terrible at selling though. He's got a long way to go, but time and experience will hopefully patch up the things in his game and I'll get to mark out for him one day.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I don't mind the shoot holds. If one dude can gorilla press slam the other one, I don#t see why they can't survive a submission longer. The way he progresses them as they're in it and add more/goes for a new joint to stop them getting to the ropes makes for good theatre.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Working from home so can actually catch this live!!

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I really want to see a proper brawl between EVIL and Suzuki now. Also, kenny remembered the belt!

[Evil Vito]

I'm through 7/21 as well. Still thoroughly entertained by most everything. Sabre/Ibushi was boss. Love Naito too.

[Evil Vito]

Through night 4. Okada/Elgin has probably been my favorite match of the tourney so far.

I have to think that

Okada vs. Omega is gonna be to see who wins the block, right? I mean they put it on last in the block because it's the biggest attraction but it almost makes too much sense to not have Part 3 be for something really important. The only question is if they both get there undefeated.

Hopefully will be caught up with the whole thing before long.

[Emperor Smeat]

Seems very likely that will happen or else wouldn't have put those two in the same block and waste the third match on something meaningless.

Possible Omega and Okada could lose a match beforehand but still have their match act as the big tiebreaker for the group.

If Omega wins the match, might end up like last time when the champ was in the G1 and Omega gets a future title shot without having to win the G1 itself.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Why are we whispering? Just on speculation (I have no clue what the scores are), if there are other ways around getting the title shot (I didn't realize that the G1 Winner doesn't always get it), then something like Omega beating Okada but putting over the Block A Winner -- someone like Tanahashi or Naito, most likely -- is something I could see them doing.

[Evil Vito]

I only put score-related stuff in spoilers because I don't know how caught up everybody is with the results. Yeah with WWE threads usually the rule is don't go into the thread if you don't want spoilers but G1 is unique in that it's a really long, multi-week tourney that runs most every day and is held in a country in which many of us can't watch live with any degree of practicality. So we're always going to have people "catching up" so to speak.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Why are we whispering? Just on speculation (I have no clue what the scores are), if there are other ways around getting the title shot (I didn't realize that the G1 Winner doesn't always get it), then something like Omega beating Okada but putting over the Block A Winner -- someone like Tanahashi or Naito, most likely -- is something I could see them doing.

Destor kindly asked us to keep spoilers in spoilers because with so much wrestling and at different times for different people, it's just better to be safe. could be converted to a "live" thread, but this feels like it works much better. Not exactly a hassle to click a spoiler.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Omega Elgin is a classic.

Looks like one of Vitos questions was answered

[Evil Vito]

Really loved Ishii/Ibushi on Day 5

[Destor]

Still on the 22nd...so far bahind...

[Destor]

Also thank you to everyone using spoiler tags.

I love the nagata storty at this point. Final G1. Real quality underdog feel.

[Mr. Nerfect]

How is Nagata doing? Is he picking up some wins, or is it the Honma "holding out for the win" story?

[Destor]

How is Nagata doing? Is he picking up some wins, or is it the Honma "holding out for the win" story?

im behind. Hes 0-2 at my point. He's nearing a must win scenrio. Up against Tanahashi next. Good drama.

[Emperor Smeat]

How is Nagata doing? Is he picking up some wins, or is it the Honma "holding out for the win" story?

0-4 at the moment and might be following the route Jushin Liger had for his last ever Best of the Super Juniors tournament. Liger lost every match except the final one for the event

[Mr. Nerfect]

Thanks, guys.

[Emperor Smeat]

http://i.imgur.com/uktlB1Z.gif

[Destor]

Fale isnt even remotely strong enough to work the stytle he does. So many botches from the guy. No strength in his base. Fat guy woks as a monster necause he doesnt diet or exercise. :n:

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Looking at him I was very surprised he played rugby, and #8 at that which requires some speed, agility, endurance, and strength.

Maybe doesn't train as hard now as when he played rugby? Or was just a naturally skilled player.

[Destor]

He's athletic. Bam Bam Bigelow esqu. Raw natural athleticism too. Nut he has no base. A 200ish lb guy fuy goes a for a cross body. Hes catches them. He will dan near buckle 9/10 times. If he doesnt botch the spot its a miracle. Clearly rides his innate ability instead of putting the work in.

[Evil Vito]

Naito/Ishii ruled

[Mr. Nerfect]

He's athletic. Bam Bam Bigelow esqu. Raw natural athleticism too. Nut he has no base. A 200ish lb guy fuy goes a for a cross body. Hes catches them. He will dan near buckle 9/10 times. If he doesnt botch the spot its a miracle. Clearly rides his innate ability instead of putting the work in.

I've heard a lot of people make this complaint about Fale.

[Emperor Smeat]

EVIL got messed up badly during the match with Omega today. Got scarey looking near the ending with him wobbling around and the thousand yard stare he had.

[Ultra Mantis]

Bullet Club apparently trying to murder all of LIJ over the course of G1.

[Evil Vito]

Yano/Elgin thoughts

okay, I LOVE Yano and even in a vacuum I thought the match with Elgin was funny......but Elgin going from beating Kenny in a 25 minute classic to being eliminated from finals contention by Yano is pretty fucking annoying.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Given that it's advertised for the last night of the blocks, I can see Yano scraping out a win against Suzuki too. Or it'll just be Suzuki murdering Yano. But I can see them doing the win for Yano to pop people.

[Evil Vito]

Honma on commentary is music to my ears.

[Evil Vito]

God damn, jumped out of my seat twice during the 8/5 G1

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol:
Juice screaming "OH FUCK" and hugging the ref when he upset Omega

NJPW probably should have swapped around the Juice-Omega and Okada-EVIL matches for better shock moments. Omega losing 2 matches meant Okada had to lose the main event in order for Okada-Omega III to keep real importance

[Mr. Nerfect]

Eh, I think Okada/Omega III is going to have importance regardless of whether or not they are within range of each other.

[Vastardikai]

I have an alternate outcome for B block:
If Okada loses to Suzuki,

Either Omega wins to take B block...

Or Omega and Okada draw, giving B block to Evil. Which means A block will have the winner.

Either way, I see Suzuki winning the IWGP Title at the G1 final.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I have an alternate outcome for B block:
If Okada loses to Suzuki,

Either Omega wins to take B block...

Or Omega and Okada draw, giving B block to Evil. Which means A block will have the winner.

Either way, I see Suzuki winning the IWGP Title at the G1 final.

Do you mean at Wrestle Kingdom? I can see why they would do Okada vs. Suzuki -- he's such a good heel. Okada has had a long run too,
so getting the belt off him in order to create a new obstacle makes sense.
It gains more power if it's another win for Suzuki over Okada after the G1.
But I could also see Okada retaining too and being that super-successful babyface.

I still think Brock is taking the belt sometime in 2018...

[Vastardikai]

Do you mean at Wrestle Kingdom? I can see why they would do Okada vs. Suzuki -- he's such a good heel. Okada has had a long run too,
so getting the belt off him in order to create a new obstacle makes sense.
It gains more power if it's another win for Suzuki over Okada after the G1.
But I could also see Okada retaining too and being that super-successful babyface.

I still think Brock is taking the belt sometime in 2018...

No, I meant at G1 Final event. He defeats Okada, and then demands a title shot at the event that features Omega or Evil (likely Evil, tbh)
And winner of A block. Wrestlekingdom will be Suzuki vs. Either Omega or winner of A block if Evil takes B block.

[Evil Vito]

I'm thinking the winner will be

Naito. I say this mainly because of EVIL beating Okada. Gedo loves having Okada defend against his main rival's stablemates in the run up to the big title defence, so I would assume we get Okada/EVIL for the title at Destruction. Omega finally beats Okada to go to the final (rest of the results don't really matter, but I would guess Okada beats Suzuki and Omega beats SANADA, probably have EVIL beat one of Elgin and Kojima but not both) but falls to Naito in the finals.

Gives Naito his first G1 win since the whole Los Ingobernables thing started, and also the final will probably be an excellent match.

Omega transitions into feuding with either Tanahashi or Ibushi, general BULLET CLUB vs. Suzuki-gun stuff, maybe do Okada/Omega IV at King of Pro Wrestling. Omega defends US belt against Elgin and Robinson, probably loses it to one of them.

Hopefully Ibushi beats Tana to win the IC belt setting up Ibushi/Omega at the Dome. And Naito defends the briefcase against Ishii who beat him in the G1 to continue CHAOS vs. LIJ.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Got a bit to catch up on. Juices goddamn reaction after the Omega match is brilliant. That's a goddamn babyface.

[Evil Vito]

Naito/Tanahashi was a helluva match

[Evil Vito]

Predictions for Kenny/Okada tomorrow

I have to think Kenny's finally getting his win over Okada. If Okada/Naito is the planned Dome match I don't think they'd run that match in the G1 Finals.

But for some reason I feel like they might add a "surprise" with the match being a lot shorter than people are expecting. Like Kenny finally hits him with OWA in 5-10 minutes and it's still enough to keep Okada down for the count. Works with the story of their previous matches that Kenny was always just one more away.

[Blonde Moment]

I think he should win after a dick flip just so I can hear Cornettes swearing all the way up in Mn

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I think he should win after a dick flip just so I can hear Cornettes swearing all the way up in Mn

An Ibushi run-in to give Okada a golden shower.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Jesus fuck at how over Naito is even against Tanahashi. When I was first getting into NJPW, Naito was still being pushed hard as a babyface and the crowd wasn't having it despite putting on great matches back then still. Now he's heel and he's the most over guy in the company.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I kinda dig the separate chats rather than the dueling ones. Just cheering different guys at different points.

[Emperor Smeat]

Fale paying respect to Nagata after his final G1 match was pretty cool. Same for NJPW giving him the big send off moment even though it was the first G1 match of the night.

Naito vs Tanahashi was really great overall.

[Evil Vito]

Okada/Omega III was lovely

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Omega and Okada had a good match? I don't believe it

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Seriously though, I have so much to catch up on I was intent on fast forwarding to it, but then I saw Elgin V Juice as it was scanning through and thought fuck it, should watch that too.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Juice is going to go balls deep into a beautiful Japanese woman. Fair play to him.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

There was a moment I almost thought that Okada injury was legit. There was a thunk noise on that reverse rana that sounded uncomfortable.

Honestly, Omega and Okada have the level of trust in each other that I haven't seen since Punk/Cena where they do crazy looking things, but have such a flow in their matches still.

[Emperor Smeat]

Only noticed after reading it later but pretty smart way how A Block was booked. Fale would have been in the finals instead of Naito had he beaten Tanahashi earlier. Would have ended with the same points as Naito but owned the tiebreaker. Made a simple cont out victory by Tana into something a lot more important in retrospective.

:lol: at the first half of the Sanada-Tonga match

Omega-Okada III was amazing overall. Really great trilogy of matches with each being Match of the Year quality.

Omega's standing V-Trigger is what Rollins Kneemaker finisher needs to be instead of the slow and terrible looking one he does.

[Emperor Smeat]

Shibata just made a surprise appearance at the G1 Finals. Lots of crying in the crowd seeing him back and even Liger shed a tear.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shibata 'I'm alive! That's all!' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/g127?src=hash">#g127</a></p>&mdash; chris charlton (@reasonjp) <a href="https://twitter.com/reasonjp/status/896633403478482944">August 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[#BROKEN Hasney]

https://i.imgur.com/45peqfH_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=high

[Blonde Moment]

Don't know how to embed this but here ya go Shibata
https://streamable.com/ku75y

[Evil Vito]

Fuckkkkkkk that was a stellar Final

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Watching the finals event now. That Ricochet/Taguchi V Young Bucks match was surprisingly not a spot fest. Good story told and Bucks focused on a leg after the injury spot from a dive.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

http://i.imgur.com/Oeld8we.gif

AND HE LOOKS FUCKING FINE :'(

[#BROKEN Hasney]

That pop and women actually crying. That was amazing.

[Destor]

With the unexpected travel im further behind that i thought i would be. On the main from 7.27

Omega v Elgin. Elgin is not even remotely over. Shame, really like the guys stuff. Omega might as well be out there alone though.

[#1-norm-fan]

So if the winner of G1 isn't the champion then they get a title shot at WrestleKingdom in 5 months? That's some long term booking. Jesus Christ. lol

[Destor]

So if the winner of G1 isn't the champion then they get a title shot at WrestleKingdom in 5 months? That's some long term booking. Jesus Christ. lol

The title match is secondary to the tourney. The prestige of winning the G1 is paramount.

[#1-norm-fan]

It's still insanely long term booking to give a title shot 5 months out.

[Destor]

Kinda standard really. Mania build starts in august and culminates in march/april

[#1-norm-fan]

There isn't a title shot won until the Rumble 2 months out.

[mike adamle]

It's more like money in the bank with a set date than the royal rumble. At least for the last few years the G1 winner has had to defend their Wrestle Kingdom title shot at the PPV's before Wrestle Kingdom.

[Destor]

Dont see the diff. Angles are still being built as early as summer slam. I mean yeah westerns audience have a terrible attention span but the angles are being built all the same. They just do it as more of a for shadowing as opposed to an overt announcement.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Not a huge believer in Michael Elgin myself. Super bland.

[Destor]

I like power houses

[#1-norm-fan]

It's more like money in the bank with a set date than the royal rumble. At least for the last few years the G1 winner has had to defend their Wrestle Kingdom title shot at the PPV's before Wrestle Kingdom.

Alright, well that's different. I didn't know they actually had to defend the shot. Thought it was just flat out announcing the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 5 months in advance.

[Destor]

The shpt isnt even a garunteed thing...after all the champ could win g1

[#1-norm-fan]

Dont see the diff. Angles are still being built as early as summer slam. I mean yeah westerns audience have a terrible attention span but the angles are being built all the same. They just do it as more of a for shadowing as opposed to an overt announcement.

WWE "starts building" toward WrestleMania at SummerSlam and can (and do) change things up along the way. There's definitely a difference between that and overtly announcing the main event of WrestlMania at SummerSlam. Stop arguing for the sake of arguing so much. lol

[#1-norm-fan]

The shpt isnt even a garunteed thing...after all the champ could win g1

That's why I said "if the winner isn't the champion". Goddamn, Destor.

[Destor]

WWE "starts building" toward WrestleMania at SummerSlam and can (and do) change things up along the way. There's definitely a difference between that and overtly announcing the main event of WrestlMania at SummerSlam. Stop arguing for the sake of arguing so much. lol

That's why I said "if the winner isn't the champion". Goddamn, Destor.

Disagree is all. I think there is a real difference in the culture and annoucing somethimg this far out isnt an issue. The fed does it too the diff is they just pretned that they havent announced it yet.

[Destor]

We lnew cena vs rock 2 years before it happened

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I like power houses

Same. But there's not much else to him.

[#1-norm-fan]

I think it's way harder to keep people interested once you've told them exactly what the title match of the big show in 5 months is going to be. The title picture is set. There's no more drama to be had. Now it's just 5 months of build. New Japan could do it, I'm sure. WWE, not so much.

[Destor]

I think it's way harder to keep people interested once you've told them exactly what the title match of the big show in 5 months is going to be. New Japan could do it, I'm sure. WWE, not so much.

Well one is sport and one is theater.

[Destor]

(And that isnt a bad or good thing)

[Destor]

Same. But there's not much else to him.

True...but i like it that way...

[#1-norm-fan]

Of course, it's moot now because I didn't know the G1 winner had to defend his shot until then. But there's definitely a big difference between announcing the match and relying completely on build and actually building the story of what the match might be.

[Destor]

Wrestling is sport in Japan, religion in Mexico, tradition in Canada and theater in America. How we build programs all stems from that. In Japan the match is the story. UFC annouces bouts months out, all combat sports do. Wrestling is the same in JPN.

Here its a soap. Whats going to happen next week. Which is fine. Wouldnt work there though.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Doesn't really work in the states anymore

[#1-norm-fan]

And what works there doesn't work here.

[Destor]

I wouldnt know what working tbh. I catch the ppvs and thats it, numbers are trending down though...but the numbers trending down correlate with them going to a more sport based product...so i dunno.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

nah, it's still as soapy as ever. For every "sportsy" thing they do, they do something else to double down on the soap aspect.

[#1-norm-fan]

Doesn't really work in the states anymore

Oh yeah. And what works here doesn't work here anymore either. But that's a different story.

[#1-norm-fan]

nah, it's still as soapy as ever. For every "sportsy" thing they do, they do something else to double down on the soap aspect.

Honestly, they'd probably be in a better position if they picked a path and went with it. They switch back and forth between catering to the marks and ignoring them and it's just a big mess.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

yeah I agree. I look back to 2000 and it was still super soapy, but with amazing matches that made sense for whatever reason. If it's a soap like that, I can deal. Next thing you know, HHH is fucking a corpse.

[Destor]

Soapy is fine as long is its compelling

[Fignuts]

Ya'll acting like long term booking is a bad thing.

[#1-norm-fan]

Who said that?

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Soapy is fine as long is its compelling

100% agree. Not my forte so to speak, but you can't argue with something that is entertaining.

[Destor]

Ya'll acting like long term booking is a bad thing.

Whos yall ho

[Emperor Smeat]

Only saw up to the intermission live last night and just finished catching up to the rest of the Finals show.

:y: Daryl lives

Naito-Omega match was great overall. Ouch at Naito completely missing the table for the piledriver spot.

[#1-norm-fan]

As a new NJPW fan trying to catch up a little, this tournament did an amazing job setting up challengers for Okada.

[Bad News Gertner]

Watched Elgin vs Omega in that U.S title thingy. Omega has a great look and is definitely a star. Elgin looks like Bill Demott. The match itself is way too much overkill. Does every match require an opponent to be shot, dismembered and burned with battery acid to get a three count? Good lord.

[Destor]

Watched Elgin vs Omega in that U.S title thingy. Omega has a great look and is definitely a star. Elgin looks like Bill Demott. The match itself is way too much overkill. Does every match require an opponent to be shot, dismembered and burned with battery acid to get a three count? Good lord.

Isnt that exactly how its been in JPN for 30 years? WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN

[Fignuts]

Keep in mind this is the equivalent of the nhl playoffs for njpw. Best comparison I can make since wwe doesn't have an equivalent.

Wrestle Kingdom is their biggest show, but G-1 is where they put on the their best wrestling. Everyone is bringing their a-game and trying to have the best match possible for 19 days. So the "can you top this" gets a bit crazy, as these guys are world class and highly competetive.

[Fignuts]

Also, fucking love Big Mike. Was rooting so hard for him to beat okada. Him and Ishii are my favorites.

[Fignuts]

Also, was a little surprised Kenny didn't win, but Naito isn't shocking considering how crazy fuck over he's been throughout the tourney. No matter who he faced all you heard was Naito chants.

[Bad News Gertner]

Isnt that exactly how its been in JPN for 30 years? WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN

Lol I never said it wasnt

[#1-norm-fan]

Also, was a little surprised Kenny didn't win, but Naito isn't shocking considering how crazy fuck over he's been throughout the tourney. No matter who he faced all you heard was Naito chants.

It made sense. Omega finally got his win over Okada and can smoothly transition away from him for the rest of the year while EVIL and Naito both should come out with a title shot down the road. Don't Okada and Naito have a history with each other, too?

[Emperor Smeat]

As a new NJPW fan trying to catch up a little, this tournament did an amazing job setting up challengers for Okada.

Yeup.

Guess the WWE equivalent would be putting the champ in the Rumble to personally get rid of potential future threats and set up the pre-Mania ppv title shot. In NJPW's case, they have a few more events in between for title defenses.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Agree with gert on the finishes. Matches are still fantastic tho. Fucking hate nearfalls galore. It only works if its unique

[Simple Fan]

Been avoiding this and the other NJPW thread because I was waiting to watch the G1 on AXS tv. Had Tanahashi vs Sabre Jr and Naito vs Ibushi tonight. Was shocked to see Sabre pick up the win but the bicep injury played apart in it still a good match. Naito vs Ibushi was a stellar match though. Was pissed when Ibushi didn't hit that powerbomb as I love his powerbomb. Naito is fucking awesome though and it was a great match.