Csonka’s NJPW G1 Climax Day Six Review

NJPW G1 Climax Day Six 7.28.15

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Block B Match: Yujiro Takahashi defeated Yuji Nagata @ 12:03 via pin [**]
– Block B Match: Hirooki Goto defeated Tomoaki Honma @ 12:20 via pin [****]
– Block B Match: Tomohiro Ishii defeated Karl Anderson @ 16:30 via pin [***½]
– Block B Match: Michael Elgin defeated Shinsuke Nakamura via forfeit [NR]
– Block B Match: Kazuchika Okada defeated Satoshi Kojima @ 18:22 via pin [***½]

---

* Disclaimer I will be doing what I did with the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, I will just be reviewing the tournament matches from each day. They are what matters, and I don’t worry about burning out.

Yujiro Takahashi defeated Yuji Nagata: This was the typically bland, but acceptable opening match we’ve been seeing now. Watching a 12-minute Yujiro Takahashi match makes me consider having dental work done to feel some sort of real emotion or pain, because the guy does nothing for me and Nagata couldn’t even get me interested and I am a huge fan. Takahashi won with the Miami Shine after what felt like an eternity, and I died a little inside because he beat Nagata. It was a long 12-minutes, Nagata tried, it was ok but nothing more.

Hirooki Goto defeated Tomoaki Honma: While I continue to hope that Tomoaki Honma gets his big win, I have accepted the fact that he’s just here to put on great matches and toy with my emotions. They teased me bad here, they worked at a good clip, Honma’s offense was fun and I started to fall for it again. I love that bastard. They whipped the crowd into a frenzy; these fans just love Honma unconditionally and WANT him to win so bad. Considering the crowd was so cold all night, it is amazing that the guy with the loser gimmick that feels as if it going too long is always the guy you can count on to get the crowd invested in a match. It all fed into an awesome final four minutes or so, they went balls to the wall and got the match to another level. But Goto battled back and scored the win with the shouten kai. The crowd loved Honma and chanted for him post match in appreciation. This was some very good work with a great crowd that made it feel special. One day, one day Honma will win and it will be glorious.

Tomohiro Ishii defeated Karl Anderson: Not at the level of the previous match, but I felt that this was a good match and a step up for Anderson, who had been coasting early with three star specials. I was a bit disappointed because of his history of stepping up in big matches, and felt under whelmed. Anderson felt as if he was more motivated here and he worked well with Ishii. They had a rough crowd here, and had to work really hard to get them involved, but they were able to do so as they headed towards the homestretch. They got time, Ishii survived the gun stun/stun gun whatever the hell I want to call it today because one sounds better on certain days that the other and finally connected with the big brain buster to put Anderson away. Ishii continues his early run, settling in with 6 points after three wins to kick off the tournament.

Michael Elgin defeated Shinsuke Nakamura via forfeit: Shinsuke Nakamura has suffered an elbow injury, and had to miss this match (ad forfeit the points). As of this writing he is not pulled from the tournament and is scheduled to return for his next match against Tomohiro Ishii on Saturday. Nakamura was one of the heavy favorites to win the G1 this year, so giving him the day off and hoping that he can continue seems like the smart move. If he has to bow out, that will be a huge blow, no tonly if he was scheduled to win, but also due to the way this is booked. NJPW carefully plans out this tournament, and would have rework things big time.

Kazuchika Okada defeated Satoshi Kojima: Kazuchika Okada defeated Satoshi Kojima to go 3-0 in the block, leaving him tied with Ishii for the top spot. This was a really good at times, but not a great match. They also had to work to get the crowd to care; they were not a lively bunch tonight to say the least. Strong stuff from both guys, they built to this part where Okada was making his big comeback and then Kojima just obliterated him with a lariat. He wanted to take his head off and went for another, but Okada hit the dropkick. While he missed the first rainmaker, he rebounded with another and scored the win. It was a good main event, but just lacked that special something that takes it to the next level. Part of that was the crowd for sure, but it also lacked that energy of a big time Okada main event match. It does however make things interesting for the upcoming Okada vs. Ishii match.

BLOCK B
~ Kazuchika Okada – 6 POINTS [3 wins]
~ Tomohiro Ishii – 6 POINTS [3 wins]
~ Karl Anderson – 4 POINTS [2 wins, 1 loss]
~ Hirooki Goto – 4 POINTS [2 wins, 1 loss]
~ Shinsuke Nakamura – 2 POINTS [1 wins, 2 loss]
~ Satoshi Kojima – 2 POINTS [1 win, 2 losses]
~ Yuji Nagata – POINTS [1 win, 2 losses]
~ Michael Elgin – 2 POINTS [1 win, 2 losses]
~ Yujiro Takahashi – 2 POINTS [1 win, 2 losses]
~ Tomoaki Honma – 0 POINTS [3 losses]

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

“I’m out…”

7.6

The final score: review Good

The 411

Only four matches today due to the Nakamura injury, skip the Takahashi match, the rest is fun and worth the time if you following most tournament matches. If your pressed for time and need a singular recommendation, Goto vs. Honma is your Huckleberry.