It’s back to B Block today, for their sixth day of competition:
Michael Elgin defeated Yuji Nagata in 11:02 via pinfall. Another very good performance from Elgin who found a good partner in Nagata. Very physical and the crowd reacted well to their big spots. Good stuff and Elgin stays in contention for the win in this block.
Karl Anderson defeated Tomoaki Honma in 11:37 via pinfall. Good match with the crowd 200ù behind Honma. They worked well together to deliver another very enjoyable outing. Finish was awesome with Honma attempting a top rope Kokeshi, only to fly straight into an Anderson Gun Stun. Honma remains extremely entertaining.
Hirooki Goto defeated Satoshi Kojima in 12:39 via pinfall. Intense back and forth affair with both going all out. Despite his low score, Kojima ha actually wrestled a pretty good G1 until now and Goto remains very constant in his performance. Another enjoyable outing with Goto finishing things off with the Shouten Kai.
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Yujiro Takahashi in 10:36 via pinfall.It’s not that Takahashi is not doing his best but it’s still obvious he has to be carried in order to have more or less good matches. Of course, if you’re in the ring with Nakamura, that’s never a problem. Nakamura destroyed Takahashi in the end with a series of Boma Yé. Nothing great, but a solid match thanks to the King of Strong Style.
Kazuchika Okada defeated Tomohiro Ishii in 17:077 via pinfall. GGreat expectations for this one, but it should be no surprises both of them delivered big time. Very intense CHAOS members match-up, at times you really had the impression Ishii had Okada’s number which made the match that much more enjoyable to watch. Don’t hesitate in watching this one, you won’t regret it.
Standings:
Kazuchika Okada – 10
Tomohiro Ishii – 8
Karl Anderson – 8
Hirooki Goto – 8
Shinsuke Nakamura – 8
Michael Elgin – 8
Yujiro Takahashi – 4
Satoshi Kojima – 4
Yuji Nagata – 2
Tomoaki Honma – 0
Analysis: Good day for B block with 5 good matches. Okada remains on top, with still 5 wrestlers close behind. Could they go for a tie between Nakamura and Okada? It’s possible. If that is the case, they could add extra matches to the Finals card or look at head-to-head results, they’ve done both in the past. With Elgin/Anderson and Goto/Ishii on Sunday, B Block could start delivering answers.
In other results:
Yohei Komatsu defeated Jay White. A rare victory for the Young Lion.
Toru Yano and YOSHI-HASHI defeated Tetsuya Naito and David Finlay Jr. (YOSHI HASHI pinned Finlay)
Bad Luck Fale, AJ Styles, Tama Tonga and Doc Gallows defeated Kota Ibushi, Captain New Japan, Togi Makabe and Hiroyoshi Tenzan. (Tonga pinned Captain New Japan)
Katsuyori Shibata, Jushin Thunder Liger and Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, KUSHIDA and Mascara Dorada. (Taguchi pinned Dorada)
A G1 almost everyday until next week Sunday now, with the A Block tomorrow (08/08), featuring the following matches:
Kota Ibushi vs. Bad Luck Fale
Tetsuya Naito vs. Toru Yano
Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. AJ Styles
Togi Makabe vs. Doc Gallows
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Katsuyori Shibata
A very interesting Tanahashi vs Shibata match-up, with SHibata having to recover from his surprise loss against Toru Yano (and Tanahashi certainly knows how that feels). Do or die for Ibushi who has to slay the monster Fale in order to stay in contention. Naito, Styles and Makabe should pick up the victory in their respective matches.
Until tomorrow for more G1!
