G1 Climax 34 (NJPW)

[Psycho666Soldier]

The first night was killer. I think a lot of people have felt New Japan has been dropping the ball in establishing their new generation and who will carry the torch with a lot of their big stars moving on or getting old. The first night felt like it was a pretty emphatic statement for the new guard, with a lot of shocking victories.

Tsuji/Takeshita was my match of the night. Those two battered each other, and I love how they both make every move feel impactful, especially Takeshita. And while Naito may be a bit of a shadow of his former self, him and Takagi still tore the house down.

I was also more impressed with Callum Newman than I've been since he's been in my crosshairs, but he definitely needs to evolve beyond tributing Ospreay to truly stand out.

Excited for the rest of the tournament

[Psycho666Soldier]

Umino/Kidd and Takeshita/Cobb from Night 3 are must watch in my opinion

[MTR]

Did I see that Naito lost his first two matches? Been trying to keep up even though not watching

[Psycho666Soldier]

Yup. They're really playing into the fact that he's banged up and not his former self, and the losses seem to be a part of that.

[Nash Diesel]

Umino/Kidd and Takeshita/Cobb from Night 3 are must watch in my opinion

Saw a clip of a brutal superplex, even bounced the ref. Cobb is like a modern day Rhyno type guy. Love that dude.

[Defrost]

Uemura has looked so much better in this than anything he has done since going back to Japan it is kinda shocking.

Just by what's been booked the only two guys I can see winning this are either Umino or Takeshita and the only reason I think Takeshita has a shot is because of that 2nd Dome show.

Uemura and Tsuji look to be going after the white belt, and ZSJ already has a match with Naito locked up for the Fall.

[Psycho666Soldier]

Uemura has looked so much better in this than anything he has done since going back to Japan it is kinda shocking.

Just by what's been booked the only two guys I can see winning this are either Umino or Takeshita and the only reason I think Takeshita has a shot is because of that 2nd Dome show.

Uemura and Tsuji look to be going after the white belt, and ZSJ already has a match with Naito locked up for the Fall.

Yeah, since getting back into New Japan, Uemura hadn't done a lot for me. But he's looked incredible in this tournament so far.

I've also been enjoying O-Khan so far

[Psycho666Soldier]

So far Takeshita has been having nothing but home runs

[Defrost]

Uemura vs Takeshita is match of the tournament so far

[Psycho666Soldier]

About done with Night 5, and I gotta say the blocks feel heavily lopsided in favor of Block B. I just don't care for a lot of these match-ups in Block A. This has been the weakest night so far.

[Psycho666Soldier]

Takeshita can't keep getting away with this

(Uemura/Cobb was also awesome just like a hair below Takeshita/HENARE).

Haven't finished yet, but Night 6 has been leagues better.


EDIT: That was definitely the peak of the night, but the whole show was good. Finlay/Narita was a fun heel vs. heel match and Goto/Tsuji was told so well. I'll say Tsuji's flavorless stalling towards the end was kinda taking me out, but they brought it back together for the finish.

[Psycho666Soldier]

Kidd/Shingo was a fucking banger. I have it tied with the Uemura/Takeshita match score-wise. Overall, Night 7 was a far cry better than Night 5, with the main event being one of Naito's better matches this tournament, and Shota/ZSJ having the second best match of the night.

[Tainted Eclipse]

visiting tokyo, just bought a ticket to the g1 finals. should be fun.

[MTR]

visiting tokyo, just bought a ticket to the g1 finals. should be fun.

Sweet. Enjoy

[Psycho666Soldier]

Some absolute bangers in the last couple nights. If nothing else, both Korakuen Hall shows are worth watching.

[Tainted Eclipse]

takeshita/EL-P was pretty awesome

[MTR]

takeshita/EL-P was pretty awesome

Meltzer has said that after that match he realized he overrates WWE matches....

[Defrost]

I mean who amongst us has not had the wool pulled over their eyes via a charm bracelet?

[Defrost]

Zack Sabre Jr, Shingo Takagi, and The Great O-Khan have advanced out of A Block

[Tainted Eclipse]

they should do a zack vs. takeshita final. i mean i'm sure they won't, but they should.

[Psycho666Soldier]

That's the final I'm hoping for. Takeshita either needs Goto to lose or Finlay to win while beating Narita on the final B Block night to guarantee a spot, though.

There's also the elusive Finlay/Tsuji/Takeshita 3-way if we end up with a 6-way tie at 10 which sounds the most exciting/unpredictable route, but they probably won't do it.

[Defrost]

they should do a zack vs. takeshita final. i mean i'm sure they won't, but they should.

Feels like we're headed to Zack vs Tsuji

[Psycho666Soldier]

One step closer to a Zack/Tsuji Final

[Tainted Eclipse]

going to be going to the semi-finals live on saturday too. hopefully i get to see at least one really great new japan match at sumo hall.

[Horatio]

so @TaintedEclipse what matches have you gotten to see so far? I just read that Jake Lee was in the tournament this year and I'm stoked that maybe you got to see him live. He's one of the greats, in my opinion. Hirooki and Shingo, too; if you got to see them, please let us know once you've had a chance to take it all in.

[Tainted Eclipse]

haven't been to any shows yet, just going to the semi-finals and finals at ryogoku. i'm sure i will see jake lee in the undercard so i will report my impressions haha

[Psycho666Soldier]

Both of the block semi-finals today are very worth going out of your way to watch in my opinion.

[Psycho666Soldier]

Shingo/ZSJ. Goddamn.

Gonna be tough for the final to top that, but it should still be good

[Defrost]

ZSJ vs Shingo is my MOTY right now

[Tainted Eclipse]

it was very very cool to be there live. shingo/zack was great but for drama/heat in the building, the last couple minutes of yota/finlay were the high point.

[Defrost]

Where'd you sit?

[Psycho666Soldier]

it was very very cool to be there live. shingo/zack was great but for drama/heat in the building, the last couple minutes of yota/finlay were the high point.

Yeah that Tsuji/Finlay ending was perfect. Must have been awesome to be there for both live.

[Defrost]

ZSJ will not be taking his title shot at the Dome, but in Sumo Hall in October

[Tainted Eclipse]

Where'd you sit?

Right by the red corner entrance. You can definitely spot me, I’m wearing glasses and a cap

The finals was an incredible atmosphere. Definitely a step above the semi finals just in terms of heat and drama. I was on the second level this time. Being so close last night was cool, but higher up is a better vantage point to appreciate a match. Sumo hall is really the perfect wrestling arena

[Psycho666Soldier]

This was an awesome G1. I think A Block wasn't always firing on all cylinders, but the last half of the tournament was great for everyone. Amazing set of Quarter, Semi, and Finals, too. A lot of MOTY contenders(ZSJ/Shingo, The Final, Takeshita/ELP), and just a lot of hope for the current and new gen.

The run to Wrestle Kingdom should be interesting with the G1 winner using his shot early.

[Tainted Eclipse]

pictures from the shows

https://imgur.com/a/A0wBVFl
https://imgur.com/a/pMCpOub

[Horatio]

pictures from the shows

https://imgur.com/a/A0wBVFl
https://imgur.com/a/pMCpOub

Some great photos, especially when you were seated on the aisle. I had to look on cagematch to make sure my eyes were not deceiving me. You got to see TAKA Michonoku, on a card headlined by Zack Sabre, jr. IN JAPAN??? That is so cool. Seems like a ton of legends were on the card. Way cooler than American indie wrestling (with all due respect)...