The Big Picture of Week #1:
Well, we said that we wanted changes. NJPW gave them to us in abundance. The shock victories on Night #1 were fantastic, but when almost all of the wins are like that, the impact is diluted. After five of the nineteem shows, Makabe leads Block A, with Tenzan and Goto close behind. Nagata leads Block B, with almost everyone else tied for second place. We’re still in the early stages.
Day #5 (7/25/16 – Block A):
YOSHI-HASHI defeated David Finlay
Everyone isn’t into the story of YOSHI-HASHI this year, but the flaws are what make it work. Yes, he looks uncertain, even afraid, and almost surprised when he wins. Yet he is determined to soldier on, and it’s that determination in spite of the fear of going it alone that makes him so compelling. YOSHI has a heavily-wrapped shoulder after his match with Honma as well. He and Shibata are either helping sell Honma’s finisher as really damaging, or this is a sign that Honma is going to seriously hurt someone by the time that G-1 ends. Whatever “Loose Explosion” means, wearing it across your buttocks is not helping you to be taken seriously. Please change that.
Day #4 (7/24/16 – Block B):
Juice Robinson defeated David Finlay
This match was better than expected. Robinson is already an improvement over CJ Parker, and if he would drop the screeching and annoying voice, he’d be even better.
Day #3 (7/23/16 – Block A):
Satoshi Kojima, Manabu Nakanishi, Jushin Liger, & Tiger Mask defeated KUSHIDA, Juice Robinson, David Finlay, & Captain New Japan
Though more “Don’t tag in Captain New Japan” hilarity continued, David Finlay was pinned on this one. Tiger Mask seems to want a shot at KUSHIDA’s Junior Heavyweight title.
Day #2 (7/22/16 – Block B):
Manabu Nakanishi & TenCozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) defeated Captain New Japan, David Finlay, & Juice Robinson
The saga of not tagging in Captain New Japan continues. This is way more fun than it has any right to be. More, please!
2016 NJPW G-1 Climax Tournament – Week 1 Recap (Nights #1-5)
The first week of the nearly month-long G-1 Climax tournament from New Japan Pro Wrestling has reached its end, and there’s quite a bit to think about as compared to previous tournaments. For many fans, this is the highlight of the summer, as well as of wrestling fandom. We get nearly a solid month of the best wrestlers in the world doing their best collective thing and setting the general direction of feuds and title chases for the next five months, as well as for the January 4th Wrestle Kingdom show. What’s not to love???
The 2014 G-1 was widely hailed as one of the greatest wrestling events of all time, while the 2015 version drew some criticism for stagnation and repetition, despite having some fantastic matches. The 2016 G-1 offered the perfect opportunity to rectify those concerns, as NJPW lost five of its top players to the WWE after contracts expired at the end of January. Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles were obvious major overall losses, but Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, and Kota Ibushi had all played significant roles in past G-1 tournaments, and their absences were definitely going to be felt. That’s twenty-five percent of the total participation roster for G-1. NJPW seemed to embrace the WWE’s “anything can happen” motto with considerably more gusto than the company itself has, and the theme of the first week has been “surprises and upsets.”
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This week on BWF Radio, Joe, JT, G, and Mark discuss terrible segments on Monday Night RAW (we’re looking at you, Kathy Lee and Hoda) and how they affect other segments (hello, Joan Lunden). They decide not to spoil tonight’s Bound For Glory TNA Pay-Per-View. The 15th anniversary of SmackDown is discussed.
In the news, why won’t cable channels touch IMPACT? Why did The Rock only punch Rusev on RAW? Who in the world thought it would be a good idea for Brian Christopher Lawler to release a rap album? Plus, Great Muta wants to beat up The Rock, Michael Elgin “quits” Ring of Honor, and B. Brian Blair gets honored by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. All this and more on BWF Radio episode 147! Tune in!
BoredWrestlingFan Radio Episode 147 (MP3, 1:48:16)
This week’s break song was “Love Phantom” by B’z. Buy it here!