G1 Climax 25

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Bort

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Karl/Elgan ***3/4
Nagata/Kojima ***1/2
Yujiro/Okato ***1/4
Nakamura/Honma ****1/4
Ishii/Goto ****1/2
 

Jacob Fox

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Okada doesn't have to lose 2 more, at least not if the B block winner is supposed to be Nakamura (which would be my pick). If Nakamura wins every match (including vs Okada) they will tie (assuming Okada wins the 2 other matches) and since Shinsuke will have the head to head win he'll advance.

Actually looking at the schedule, I think you got it here. The last day for B block, and the day before the finals, Nakamura and Okada face each other. So having Okada ahead by two points if he doesn't lose any other matches and the possibility of Nakamura winning and not only tying with the victory but breaking the tie with the same victory just seems like WAY too fun of a possibility to not do.

And if the IWGP champion is going to lose to someone in that fashion, Nakamura is the man to lose to.
 

Jacob Fox

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Day 14 was awesome:

Michael Elgin vs. Karl Anderson **1/2. It's just difficult for me to get into these guys' matches. It had it's moments, like when Elgin took out three Bullet Club guys, but pretty standard otherwise.

Satoshi Kojima vs Yuji Nagata *** This was a good match after a while, but I phased out a little at first.

Kazuchika Okada vs. Yujiro Takahashi ***1/2. This had its good moments, like when Okada jumped over the railing. But the true match was when Red Shoes got knocked out of the ring and the interference began. It was nice to see OKada get pissed off and just start kicking ass. Loved it.

RED SHOES ABUSE COUNTER: 1

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tomoaki Honma **** This was a fun, if somewhat short, match. Was great from the beginning to the end.

Hirooki Goto vs. Tomohiro Ishii ****1/2 Best match of the night and one of the best matches of the year. Some matches take a while to warm up, but this was solid from the beginning and every moment. Wow, one of the best matches of the tournament. I lost count of the near falls in this match.

Even the post match commentary with Gedo and Yano was fun.
 

Bort

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Idk, I really enjoyed Karl/Elgan. First Korakuen apperance for the WOAT and the crowd already cheered him big time. He should worship Gedo as some kind of deity, dude's doing wonders for his career. Karl was amazing in the match.
 

Jacob Fox

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I'm just not really a fan of either Anderson or Elgin. I could see why some people might be, but they really don't do anything for me.
 

Prince Bálor

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Day 14 was super groovy, I loved it! There wasn't a single bad thing on the show. Every match was enjoyable in its own way. Thank you, New Japan!

- Machine Gun vs Elgin was a stellar and an enjoyable show opener! ***¾
Best show opener of the tourney so far.
Also, NJPW Elgin > ROH Elgin. His ROH work ain't appealing to me at all, but his run in NJPW thus far has been good, it's like he's rejuvenated.

- Nagata vs Kojima was a good 10 minute bout! ***¼
The vets worked hard, had the crowd invested and delivered a good, fun match.
I also have to mention I love the way Nagata sells midriff kicks/punches. It's a thing of beauty.

- Okada vs Takahashi was pretty good, thanks to Rainmaker being a carryjob machine! ***½
The thought of watching a 14 minute Yujiro match sends me to the brink of total insanity. I mean, I'd much rather have 14 minutes with Mao.
But anyways, thanks to ace Okada for dragging a good match out of Yujiro.

- Nakamura vs Honma was great and quite fun to watch! ****
This was Nakamura's best G1 match so far. These two worked so well, the crowd was hot for it and all of that equals a great match!
The finishing sequence was dope, I was marking out left and right.

- Goto vs Ishii was ace and MOTN! ****¾
 

Prince Bálor

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Day 15 was average.
I didn't like the outcomes of the first three matches, but the co-ME and the ME outcomes were satisfying.

- Doc vs Naito was decent for what it was. **
So, Doc, who's just a tag team guy and was jobbing during the tourney gets to defeat Naito here?!
You did it for da lolz, New Japan. Not cool. Not cool at all.

- Tenzan vs Shibata was a rock solid match. **¾
Shibata's been excellent during G1, but ain't a fan of him losing here.
At the end of the day, I'm not outraged Shibata lost, b/c his chances of winning G1 had already died.


- YTR vs Ibushi...
jamesvan.gif
Fuck your booking on this one, G&J! Don't drink on the job anymore. Booking shouldn't be done for da lolz.
So, YTR now owns 3 victories in under 4 mins over Ibushi, Shibata and Tanahashi this year. LMAO! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


- AJ Styles vs Bad Luck Fale was so fucking entertaining! ***½
They teased BLF lying down for the pin, but he kicked out. Ha, fooled ya! The match's going to happen after all.
AJ was like 'You know you’re supposed to lie down for me! We flipped a coin!'
He then went for a 2Sweet, but poked Fale in the eye, then a pissed off Fale just LAUNCHED AJ out of the ring!
Karl then goes 'You started it, asshole!', and AJ was like 'Stop calling me names!' LOL. Never change, AJ.
Afterwards, they fought up into the crowd where Fale threatened to Bad Luck Fall his stablemate into fuckery, but AJ escaped.
They also did a good job of Bullet Club basically trying to help both guys (trying to prevent BLF and Styles from hitting each other with chairs and such) at different times to play into the story.
Damn, Fale got a huge pop for teasing a Styles Clash! Styles blocked it, however, and then countered BLF and got the roll-up using the ropes in order to pin Fale.
Post-match, it was all kiss and make up for Bullet Club. All's kewl, folks!

- Tanahashi vs Makabe was pretty good. ***½
 

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Is this a good starting point to really try to get into New Japan?
 

Jacob Fox

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Is this a good starting point to really try to get into New Japan?

The tournament is pretty viewing intensive if you watch the whole thing. It's been 15 days of at least three hour shows so far with 4 left... However, you do get to see a lot of different matchups since it is a round robin tournament. I would have to say yes. The tournament final is this weekend, and usually it's a good match. Last year's final was my vote for match of the year. The winner of the tournament usually headlines the January 4 Dome Show (New Japan's "Wrestlemania," although it's not an official title shot like the Royal Rumble is) so watching the tournament final will get you right into the eventual story line for the main event of that show.
 
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Prince Bálor

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Looking forward to watching Day 16 tomorrow!

I'm excited for every match on the card, except for the show opener [Anderson vs Yujiro]. But, here's to hoping Anderson drags a good match out of that lame ass. [EDIT: Ooops, I've just realized this may be more of an angle than a match itself, much like AJ/Fale from Day 15]

Honma vs Ishii rematch, yay! Their last bout was excellent, hope they repeat that and I'll totally mark out if Honma gets the win! Please, just let this lovable bastard win for once!
 
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Prince Bálor

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Day 16 was an awesome show!

- Machine Gun vs Takahashi was amusing enough. **
Much like AJ vs Fale, this was more of an angle/drama 'tween BC members than a tourney match itself.
Anderson being Anderson, had his eyes set on Mao, Yujiro didn't like that and they started shoving each other.
AJ had to play a father role here and was constantly getting on Karl, reminding him they're all family.
To me, this felt like they were laying some work for a (future) possible break-up in some way.

- Goto vs 'Big Mike' Elgan was just great, from start to finish. ****
Japan has given Elgin a new life, it's like he's rejuvenated. Watching him in NJPW has been enjoyable thus far.
Also, I can definitely see a future IC title program 'tween Goto and Elgin.

- Nakamura vs Kojima was a good, fun match overall. ***¼
But, what the hell's up with Naka's Boma Ye? They're making it similar to Cena's AA, by letting everyone kick out of it.
The move is gonna lose all its effect/magic by having people constantly kick out of it. Just sayin'.

- Okada vs Nagata was great and the crowd being hot for it made it that much better! ****¼

- Honma vs Ishii was a damn great, HQ main event! ****½
It wasn't a classic they had earlier this year, but still delivered some awesome stuff.
It was a great back-and-forth physical war these two were waging on each other.
Plus, they had a fantastic atmosphere to work in and it paid off.
Just like in the previous match where the crowd wanted Nagata to win, they wanted Honma to win here, and they wanted it badly.
After a long losing streak, HONMANIA IS RUNNING WILD, BAYBAY!
Damn, I marked out hard for Honma winning here! It was such a feel-good moment for me.
Put the NEVER title on this bastard, pronto!
 

Bort

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Forgot to write about this yesterday, but Ishii/Honma was fucking epic indeed, not so much in terms of crazy bumping like their earlier matches, but rather in terms of Honma's tangible character progression in a Korakuen main event against the big rival that made the match and outcome so special.
 
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Jacob Fox

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Forgot to write about this yesterday, but Ishii/Honma was fucking epic indeed, not so much in terms of crazy bumping like their earlier matches, but rather in terms of Honma's tangible character progression in a Korakuen main event against the big rival that made the match and outcome so special.

Undoubtedly. I haven't been able to post in the past couple days because I have been way busy, but this was great. I have to watch this morning's episode a bit later on today, but I am REALLY looking forward to Nakamura vs Okada. It was their match in the finals last year that I voted for match of the year, and I just think it is set up perfectly. A victory by Nakamura will not only tie Okada in B block but will simultaneously beat that tie. I just really like that idea, although I don't like watching Okada lose a match... if there is anyone, though, it would not bother me to see him lose to, though, it would be Nakamura. Honestly, I think I am more excited for this one than the final.

It's funny how these work. Goto is also at 12 points and has the only victory over Okada. If he wins tomorrow and Okada loses, he will also tie Okada at 14 but will also break the tie with Okada due to that victory. However, Goto has a loss to Nakamura, so he still won't win the tournament.

Then, of course, if Anderson wins, he will also get 14 points. He won't beat Okada because Okada has a victory over him. But he has a victory over Nakamura and Goto, so he'd beat Nakamura.

Now obviously Anderson is probably going to lose so things won't get complicated. But if I was a wrestling booker, I could have all sorts of fun with this.

God, I must seem like such a nerd but I really love this.
 
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Jacob Fox

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I decided to rewatch Ishii and Honma again. When they were chopping each other back and forth over and over again, you should watch Red Shoes. When they first get tired and then get a second wind, Red Shoes gives them a "How the hell can you still be doing this" look. However, when they tire for the second time, he gives them a "Keep it up guys, you can't be tired already." Amusing