Puro Fury: G1 Climax 26 Day 3

G1 Climax 26 Day 3

 

July 23 2016

 

After two days of wild upsets (Tanahashi, Okada, Naito all losing, Honma and YOSHI-HASHI picking up wins) we’re into Day 3 of the G1 Climax. The upsets may grind to a halt tonight as the main event is Tanahashi vs. Makabe. Unless plans are for Tana to start off 0-2. We’re in Tokyo, Japan for the third night in the capital. This time in the Machida Gymnasium with an attendance of 4630.

 

KUSHIDA, Juice Robinson, David Finlay & Captain New Japan vs. Satoshi Kojima, Manabu Nakanishi, Jushin Liger & Tiger Mask IV

This year I was hoping for KUSHIDA to be in G1 but instead they’re doing what they did with YOSHI-HASHI last year and building KUSHIDA up by getting lots of undercard wins. Or they have so far, this is only day three. It makes sense though. He certainly makes Liger look like a total chump, which shows his standing within New Japan as a company and the respect he’s getting from the veterans because of his work. Juice and Finlay are also getting wins, although not to KUSHIDA’s level. Another storyline here is despite Captain New Japan being the only heavyweight on his team, they still refuse to tag him in because he’s a loser. Captain’s comedy spots make him a worthwhile addition to the roster but if you’re looking at him from a sheer win/loss ratio perspective it makes no sense to have him around. Kojima picks off Finlay with a lariat for the win, just to remind us that even though upsets have been happening eventually normal service will be resumed.

Final Rating: **1/2

 

Katsuyori Shibata & Tomoaki Honma vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima & YOSHI-HASHI

This is a step above the usual throwaway undercard tags. Shibata vs. Nakajima and Honma vs. YOSHI-HASHI are up tomorrow on Day 4. Plus Shibata vs. Honma was yesterday and ended with a slapping contest and a total lack of respect after the match. That continues here with Honma throwing Shibata out of the ring so he can start the match! YOSHI-HASHI could be the feel-good story of the tournament, along with Tenzan, and Nakajima vs. Shibata is hotly anticipated due to their kick-heavy styles. When this was pointed out to Shibata he said he couldn’t see the similarities and promised to stomp Nakajima instead of kicking him. Nakajima certainly doesn’t hold back on the kicks and they sound like wood being chopped. No thigh slapping to be seen! Shibata gets in there and true to his word only stomps poor Nakajima. When Nakajima comes back at him Shibata flat out refuses to even consider selling for the NOAH punk. An attempt at the PK is treated with almost unbearable disdain but while Shibata is choking out Nakajima little YOSHI-HASHI rolls Honma up for the win! Tacos is on fire! Shibata is not impressed with Honma for fucking up his win/loss record two nights running.

Final Rating: ***1/4

 

CHAOS (Toru Yano & Gedo) vs. Bullet Club (Kenny Omega & Yujiro Takahashi)

Omega’s total lack of fucks given at being 0-1 is telling. He also states that “everything I do in this tournament is for the Young Bucks”, perhaps suggesting all three of them are buggering off to greener pastures shortly. If he’s aiming to have a competition to see who can be the biggest shithead, Yano is up for that. Naturally Omega vs. Yano is a singles Block match on Day 4. “I hate comedy” complains Omega as Yano does a dodging the test of strength bit. The “BREEAAAAAAAAK” spot makes poor Kenny apoplectic with rage. The match is jolly good fun, unless Yujiro is in there. In a long tournament there’s nothing worse than one guy not trying in the slightest and having nothing entertaining to bring to the table. That’s Yujiro Takahashi. At least he’s not in the tournament. This becomes a contest to see who can cheat the most. They look especially proud of a sequence where everyone gets tripped up from the floor in sequence. Gedo tries like hell to make Yujiro look good but he fails and the crowd doesn’t care for Takahashi picking up the pin. Mainly because he sucks but also because his music is a state.

Final Rating: **1/4

 

Michael Elgin, Yuji Nagata & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Tetsuya Naito, EVIL & BUSHI)

Two previews here; Nagata vs. EVIL and Elgin vs. Naito on Day 4. With both Elgin and Naito 0-1 that creates a situation where either the tournament favourite or the IC champion will go 0-2. Elgin’s robe has begun to bother me. It has ‘weights’ on the front, which are where the robe fastens up. It looks rubbish. No wonder the crowd chant for Naito instead. Unsurprisingly he’s happy to point this out to the bearded gaijin. Oh, something new for the list of things that are evil; double axe handles. The double axe handle is a devastating hold as it contains the power of two punches. A double hammerfist blow. If this was UFC, Elgin would be ruled incapable of continuing. Big Mike showcases his power throughout, hurling his opponents around the ring. Not so Ingobernable now, eh? The Nagata-EVIL tease reminds me that both guys are surly strikers who are likely to beat the piss out each other tomorrow. This please me. Taguchi assaulting G1 participants with his rectum does not. EVIL punishes him with the STO for the LIJ victory. This clipped along at a fair old rate. Naito takes out Elgin’s knee after the match, hoping for another Leg Match, while EVIL does the same to Nagata. Good luck with that tactic, EVIL!

Final Rating: ***

 

All the matches in the second half are Block A matches.

 

Tama Tonga [0] vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan [2]

The silence is deafening for Tama once again. He’s going to need a big performance somewhere in this tournament and the sooner the better. Tenzan already had a great story coming into this tournament, perhaps his final G1, but his night one performance against Ishii has everyone excited for what he’ll do on his way out. Given his opponent here the reactions are less than against Ishii but Tama does get some marvellous cheap heat with imitation Mongolian chops. Like a knock-off Swiss watch bought from Taiwan. The lack of competition is bad news for Tenzan’s pop and he’s not cheered to the rafters in this one. The crowd definitely want him to win but Tama’s lack of day one victory, among the sea of upsets, is notable and he doesn’t pose a threat. Even when Tama is popping off near falls there isn’t the excitement, or even concern that grapplers have faced over the previous two nights of action. Tenzan wallops Tama with a lariat, to pay tribute to Kojima who’s sacrifice got Tenzan in this tournament, and the moonsault finishes the hapless Tonga. The reaction for Tenzan winning was unreal as this massive “Tenzan” chant erupted. People genuinely want him to win this tournament. Surreal though that may be. He’s off to a good start!

Final Rating: **1/2

 

Tomohiro Ishii [0] vs. Hirooki Goto [2]

CHAOS members collide. Ishii being the senior CHAOS member, while Goto has only recently joined. On the graphic pre-match I get fixated on the size of Ishii’s fist. Look at that fucking thing! It looks like he’s holding a ham hock! I’m sure I’ve told this story before but Ishii is massively loved in the New Japan locker room. To the extent where, and this is true with witnesses, that Kazuchika Okada sent KUSHIDA’s Dad to photograph me wearing Ishii’s shirt once. While Okada has those movie star good looks, Ishii has built his reputation on hard goddamn work, relentless strongstyle violence and a refusal to back down from anyone. It’s no wonder the likes of Okada and Nakamura adore him. He takes absolutely no shit from fucking Goto. With Goto I get the feeling he’s fine until he walks into a fight where he’s outmatched and then he gets his ass kicked. Both in the ring and mentally. Forget Daniel Bryan, Goto is your B+ player. Destined to never win the big one. Ishii’s belligerent treatment of Goto here is typical of his attitude to anyone who can’t match him at striking (which is just about everyone) and I love him for it. Goto’s comebacks lack Ishii’s snugness. If there’s a guy who protects the business with his willingness to get fucked up and hard-hitting ways it’s Big Tom Ishii. Goto is no slouch either, taking head drops and brutal strikes as par for the course. There is something that irks about Goto. That he’s not quite as legitimate as Ishii, nor on the level of the top stars for some intangible reason. That doesn’t hold true in the booking as he randomly finishes Ishii off with GTR (a Final Cut across his leg), which is one of the weakest looking strikes in the entire match. Fuck that move. Where’s Shouten Kai? Also, Ishii lost again. I’m not sure I like that at all.

Final Rating: ***3/4

 

Bad Luck Fale [0] vs. Naomichi Marufuji [2]

Both 1-0 guys have won again so far, which is good news for Marufuji who bested Okada in a domineering performance on Day 1. Fale is a different prospect. There’s aren’t too many 6’4” wrestlers in NOAH. Takayama and KES are about it and KES are on loan from NJPW. The difference is demonstrated ably by Fale not selling for chops, a murderous weapon against smaller talent. However Maru knows those things hurt so he keeps plugging away. The grimace on Fale’s face tells the story perfectly. He’ll get chopped down, even if he is a mighty oak. Afterwards the referee can count how many rings Fale has, to gauge his true age. This match suffers from communication breakdown, like Marufuji waiting an age for Fale to push him off on one spot, but also benefits from it. Marufuji not able to do fancy sequences and instead simply kick Fale in the head. It’s credible offence against a titanic opponent. Marufuji’s strikes prove during this match that they’re capable of beating anyone. He has knock-out power in those feet. The hook kick doesn’t work, due to height issues but a roundhouse looks like murder. Fale flattens Marufuji with the Grenade to get himself back on track. Fale is a master spoiler but it does seem odd to give Marufuji such a big win and follow it up with such a miserable loss. You’d think they’d want him as a target to be chased by the favourites but hey, he got his win over Okada so he’s set regardless.

Final Rating: **3/4

 

SANADA [2] vs. Kazuchika Okada [0]

Due to his lack of facials I thought SANADA would be better off under a mask but apparently he’s considered quite attractive according his many female admirers. I’m not seeing it but I’m not that way inclined. SANADA having beaten Tanahashi on Day 1 gives this a certain intrigue. As if lightning may strike twice. A feeling not present for Tama Tonga earlier, due to his first night loss. That Gedo is a smart fellow when it comes to tournament booking. Unless it’s the Super J Cup. SANADA doesn’t really connect with me, because of his lack of expressions, and that’s painfully evident here. Okada carries the match with his expressive face, his love of crowd-pleasing spots and his main event pedigree. SANADA merely plugs away, attempting to grind Okada down as he did a broken Tanahashi. Okada really brings the facial expressions in this, as if he’s trying to compensate for SANADA’s robotic approach to the graps game. His ‘oh no, I don’t want to get Tiger Suplexed’ face is the best. SANADA keeps looking for the Dragon Sleeper but Okada always has an answer, either slipping out, countering into another hold or merely reaching the ropes with his long legs. There’s always a way out for the ace. Okada on the other hand is able to nail most of his spots from whichever angle or moment he pleases. Including the Rainmaker, which finishes SANADA off. Normal service is resumed on Okada TV. Strong performance, big win. SANADA rightfully put his place.

Final Rating: ***1/2

 

Togi Makabe [2] vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi [0]

Makabe’s win over Tama makes perfect sense, given both Tama’s general failings in the tournament and the positioning of this match. Togi has to come in strong or a Tanahashi win is inevitable. If the G1 was decided on quality of hair then Tanahashi would never lose. His barnet is flawless again this evening, which probably grates at Togi who just went ‘fuck it’ and peroxided his locks before punching his stylist in the jaw (perhaps the top of the head). Makabe works heel in this contest bossing the beloved Tana and swinging wild punches in the direction of his coiffured bonce. They get into a solid back and forth but I’ve never been that into Makabe and that remains the case. His main events have left me cold for some time. Which is presumably why NJPW abandoned him as championship material around six years ago. They try and sell the match on struggling over holds, which rarely feels as epic as they’re trying for. Perhaps the only time this is true is when Togi fights Tana over in the German Superplex, which leads right into the King Kong Kneedrop. What do you know? Tana’s loss continues the streak of wacky unpredictable results from this G1. When everything else seemed to be settling down poor Tana is on a losing streak. It happens to the best of us.

Final Rating: ***

6.5

The final score: review Average

The 411

The most meandering G1 show so far. The Tenzan run continues, as does the Tanahashi run of misfortune. I struggle to cope with Ishii going 0-2. Hopefully they’ve got some good stories in the bank for him in the latter stages of the tournament. The first truly skippable show from this years G1 if you’re cherry picking nights to watch. Nothing got the crowd’s juices going.