G1 Climax 23 : Official Thread (2013)

[Hard Hit Prince]

[YOUTUBE]VcWzXZFMO1s[/YOUTUBE]

G1 CLIMAX '23 - 2013​

The G1 (Grade One) Climax professional wrestling tournament is a weeklong event held each August by the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. The G1 draws standing room only crowds each night, record receipt gates and generates front-page coverage on the sports sections of several of the daily newspapers in Tokyo. Though it has sometimes been held as a single-elimination tournament, it is usually (and currently) held as a round-robin, with winners from two blocks wrestling in the final to decide that year's winner. The winner of each block is determined by a points system; two points for a victory, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss.

You can get all the information going to this website about this year participants and announced matches: http://www.puroresuspirit.com/2013/07/08/g1-climax-23/

This image is divided in two parts as you can see in the bigger stroke in the middle.
The left side is the A Block, and in the right side you have the B Block, the wrestlers are (in order from each block, 1st line, 2nd line):

All the announced matches are below as follow:
~~ AUGUST 1ST - 2013 ~~
(1) B BLOCK Match: Kota Ibushi vs. Toru Yano
(2) A BLOCK Match: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Lance Archer
(3) B BLOCK Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Shelton “X” Benjamin
(4) A BLOCK Match: Katsuyori Shibata vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
(5) B BLOCK Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. Yujiro Takahashi
(6) B BLOCK Match: Yuji Nagata vs. Minoru Suzuki
(7) A BLOCK Match: Togi Makabe vs. Hirooki Goto
(8) B BLOCK Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. “The Machine Gun” Karl Anderson
(9) A BLOCK Match: Hiroshi Tanahshi vs. Satoshi Kojima
(10) A BLOCK Match: Kazuchika Okada vs. Prince Devitt

~~
~~ AUGUST 2ND - 2013 ~~
(1) B BLOCK Match: “The Machine Gun” Karl Anderson vs. Shelton “X” Benjamin
(2) B BLOCK Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Yujiro Takahashi
(3) B BLOCK Match: Yuji Nagata vs. Toru Yano
(4) A BLOCK Match: Prince Devitt vs. Lance Archer
(5) A BLOCK Match: Satoshi Kojima vs. Katsuyori Shibata
(6) A BLOCK Match: Togi Makabe vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
(7) B BLOCK Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi
(8) B BLOCK Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Minoru Suzuki
(9) A BLOCK Match: Hirooki Goto vs. Kazuchika Okada
(10) A BLOCK Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii

~~
~~ AUGUST 3RD - 2013 ~~
(1) B BLOCK Match: Kota Ibushi vs. “The Machine Gun” Karl Anderson
(2) B BLOCK Match: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Shelton “X” Benjamin
(3) A BLOCK Match: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Prince Devitt
(4) B BLOCK Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Minoru Suzuki
(5) B BLOCK Match:Yuji Nagata vs. Tetsuya Naito
(6) A BLOCK Match: Kazuchika Okada vs. Lance Archer
(7) B BLOCK Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Toru Yano
(8) A BLOCK Match: Hirooki Goto vs. Satoshi Kojima
(9) A BLOCK Match: Togi Makabe vs. Katsuyori Shibata
(10) A BLOCK Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.

~~
~~ AUGUST 4TH - 2013 ~~
(1) B BLOCK Match: Toru Yano vs. Yujiro Takahashi
(2) B BLOCK Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. “The Machine Gun” Karl Anderson
(3) B BLOCK Match: Yuji Nagata vs. Shelton “X” Benjamin
(4) A BLOCK Match: Satoshi Kojima vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
(5) A BLOCK Match: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Katsuyori Shibata
(6) A BLOCK Match: Hirooki Goto vs. Lance Archer
(7) B BLOCK Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. Minoru Suzuki
(8) A BLOCK Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Prince Devitt
(9) A BLOCK Match: Togi Makabe vs. Kazuchika Okada
(10) B BLOCK Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kota Ibushi

~~
~~ AUGUST 6TH - 2013 ~~
(1) A BLOCK Match: Satoshi Kojima vs. Tomohiro Ishii
(2) B BLOCK Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Toru Yano
(3) A BLOCK Match: Katsuyori Shibata vs. Lance Archer
(4) B BLOCK Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. Shelton “X” Benjamin
(5) B BLOCK Match: “The Machine Gun” Karl Anderson vs. Minoru Suzuki
(6) B BLOCK Match: Yuji Nagata vs. Kota Ibushi
(7) B BLOCK Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Yujiro Takahashi
(8) A BLOCK Match: Kazuchika Okada vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
(9) A BLOCK Match: Hirooki Goto vs. Prince Devitt
(10) A BLOCK Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Togi Makabe

~~
~~ AUGUST 7TH - 2013 ~~
(1) B BLOCK Match: Kota Ibushi vs. Shelton “X” Benjamin
(2) B BLOCK Match: Satoshi Kojima vs. “The Machine Gun” Karl Anderson
(3) A BLOCK Match: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
(4) B BLOCK Match: Yujiro Takahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki
(5) A BLOCK Match: Togi Makabe vs. Lance Archer
(6) B BLOCK Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Tetsuya Naito
(7) A BLOCK Match: Satoshi Kojima vs. Prince Devitt
(8) A BLOCK Match: Kazuchika Okada vs. Katsuyori Shibata
(9) B BLOCK Match: Yuji Nagata vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
(10) A BLOCK Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hirooki Goto

~~
~~ AUGUST 8TH - 2013 ~~
(1) B BLOCK Match: Kota Ibushi vs. Yujiro Takahashi
(2) B BLOCK Match: Yuji Nagata vs. “The Machine Gun” Karl Anderson
(3) A BLOCK Match: Katsuyori Shibata vs. Prince Devitt
(4) A BLOCK Match: Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii
(5) B BLOCK Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
(6) A BLOCK Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Lance Archer
(7) B BLOCK Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. Toru Yano
(8) A BLOCK Match: Hirooki Goto vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
(9) B BLOCK Match: Minoru Suzuki vs. Shelton “X” Benjamin
(10) A BLOCK Match: Togi Makabe vs. Satoshi Kojima

~~
~~ AUGUST 10TH - 2013 ~~
(1) A BLOCK Match: Prince Devitt vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
(2) B BLOCK Match: “The Machine Gun” Karl Anderson vs. Yujiro Takahashi
(3) A BLOCK Match: Satoshi Kojima vs. Lance Archer
(4) B BLOCK Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Yuji Nagata
(5) B BLOCK Match: Toru Yano vs. Shelton “X” Benjamin
(6) A BLOCK Match: Togi Makabe vs. Tomohiro Ishii
(7) B BLOCK Match: Kota Ibushi vs. Minoru Suzuki
(8) A BLOCK Match: Hirooki Goto vs. Katsuyori Shibata
(9) B BLOCK Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
(10) A BLOCK Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada

~~
~~ AUGUST 11TH - 2013 - FINAL DAY~~
Tag Team Match: Akebono & Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Takashi Iizuka & YOSHI-HASHI

() B BLOCK Match: Toru Yano vs. Minoru Suzuki
() B BLOCK Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Shelton “X” Benjamin
() B BLOCK Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. “The Machine Gun” Karl Anderson
() B BLOCK Match: Yuji Nagata vs. Yujiro Takahashi
() B BLOCK Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Kota Ibushi
() A BLOCK Match: Lance Archer vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
() A BLOCK Match: Satoshi Kojima vs. Kazuchika Okada
() A BLOCK Match: Hirooki goto vs. Tomohiro Ishii
() A BLOCK Match: Togi Makabe vs. Prince Devitt
() A BLOCK Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Katsuyori Shibata

() G1 CLIMAX 23 FINAL Match: A BLOCK #1 vs. B BLOCK #1​

If mods/admin think that the LD is a better suitable place, please move it. Any non puroresu fans that want to watch it and want to know some background on the wrestlers and stuff, can ask here. Also, if you don't have $150 for the whole days, you can try and search it on daylimotion. Its almost 80% guarantee you'll find the shows.

 

[#MrScissorsKick]

I want Shelton to win

Mainly since I have no idea who the others are

 

[Harthan]

Devitt is getting pushed pretty hard. Might be a real chance for him to break out.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

I want Shelton to win
Mainly since I have no idea who the others are

That's how I started to learn... Following the american guys. For instance I started watching with Low Ki in a feud with guys like Kota Ibushi and Prince Devitt. So in their mingle I was fascinated by the other two too, and I started following what they were doing.

Then Harry Smith (Davey Jr.) from the Hart Dinasty went to NJPW and formed a tag team, and I started paying attention to the tag division and started to know a lot of "legendary" Japanese tag teams.

But before them I watched what Shelton Benjamin and later MVP were doing and I downloaded one of the Wrestle Kingdom (NJPW WrestleMania) and started to know the midcard guys. I watched Tanahashi and Okada before in regular matches, like a Giant Bernard vs. Tanahashi when Tensai debuted in WWE. I watched Tanahashi vs. Okada, because I've already been exposed to Tanahashi and thought he was freaking brilliant.

Also in NJPW I think you need to pick your guys to follow, because let's see, these shows have like 3.30h each and I'm not spending 3 and a half hours watching it all. I'll pick "my" guys and watch their matches. I think that for now, you could try and follow Shelton Benjamin. He may not win, but you sure hell will have good performances.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

Okada and Tanahashi going 0-2 is a nice little twist.

That last match between Tana and Ishii was fucking incredible, as was most of the night.

Devitt losing to Archer was the real shocker though.

 

[ヒュー　G.　レックション]

This seems very interesting. I would like to watch it, so it's like the BFG Series condensed into a week!

$150 though... not a chance! I'll just stick to watching other stuff for now.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

This seems very interesting. I would like to watch it, so it's like the BFG Series condensed into a week!

$150 though... not a chance! I'll just stick to watching other stuff for now.

I'm sure you could find a way to watch it, if you just follow your heart.

 

[#MrScissorsKick]

Damn. Shelton is 1-1 right now.

When was the last time, if any, an American has won the G1?

 

[The_Misson]

An American has never won G1 Climax.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

~~ AUGUST 1ST - 2013 ~~
I'M REVIEWING THIS FOR YOU! - SPOILER ALERT: CHEESY COMEDY!

(1) B BLOCK Match: Kota Ibushi vs. Toru Yano
This was a very interesting match. It marked the beginning of the G1 Climax and it had two really different type of wrestlers. Toro Yano is a brawler, and a ugly brawler he has no "really cool" spots he's just a guy that would punch you in the face just because you look funny. Ibushi however is one of the best highflyers in Japan, he has that cool, Hollywood star look in him and his in-ring ability really is something worth watching, mainly because he mixes very well is spots with a very good storytelling as you can tell by his facial expressions and selling throughout the match. The funny thing about this match is that it started as a flat out ugly brawl and ended in a higflying great sequence of action, so it really set a tone to the first day of G1 Climax. Kota Ibushi was victorious in his first match in a G1 Climax Tournament and I'm glad he's getting that exposure again. He won the match in near 9 minutes with a Corkscrew 450º Splash.

Rating: I'm not one for ratings, but let's give it a 2,25/5 stars.
Winner: Kota Ibushi (2 Points)

(2) A BLOCK Match: Tomohiro Ishii vs. Lance Archer
Does anyone remember Taka Michinoku? Well he manages Lance Archer in this match... woww does anybody remember Archer? He looks like a beast now, he enters the ring by spitting in water in the fans ala HHH, but he really spits them in the face... Im not kidding... Well while in Japan he formed a pretty successful and cool team with Davey Boy Smith Jr. known as K.E.S. or Killer Elite Squad, really google some of their matches because they really look great together! First time watching Ishii, even though he is a low to midcarder in NJPW for almost a decade. This was also a good match, the crowd started somehow silent to both competitors but by the end of the match they were really noisy. Ishii looked great in this match and the whole story that both guys tried to tell was easily perceived by the fans - it's easy to explain and that's why I enjoy puroresu much of the times. I mean Lance is a freaking giant and Ishii is a small chubby guy that one could easily underrate and, I'm pretty sure that was the case. Ishii really gave it all he had, but in the end Lance Archer won with his great finisher that somehow looks silly and very cool.

Rating: 2,5/5 - I really suck at ratings, for me every match is good.
Winner: Lance Archer (2 Points)

(3) B BLOCK Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Shelton “X” Benjamin
I really think Shelton Benjamin doesn't get old, if everything he looks younger. He makes me feel like shit! I don't think I need to give you a background on the "Gold Standard", he's a solid midcarder and always will be. Tenzan on the other hand he's an old dude, he looks older than he really is. He's been a staple in NJPW for almost 20 years! Two decades for god sake! He's a former four time world champion and a legend in the tag team division, in fact he's currently one half of the IWGP Tag Team Champions with Kojima so this one had everything to be a fun match. But it really wasn't... They never seemed to click and they actually lost the crowd. Few pinfalls and signature moves aside from occasional suplexes, oh sorry, brainbusters. You can easily skip this one. Shelton Benjamin won with the Paydirt, still a pretty good win.

Rating: - 1,5/5 - I feel bad for giving that note...
Winner: Shelton Benjamin (2 Points)

(4) A BLOCK Match: Katsuyori Shibata vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
So this one was actually one of the matches I really wanted to see. Shibata has been great and he can be considered a favorite to win this G1 Climax, I mean this guy can't really tell the difference between a worked match and a real fight, so I'm telling you that going to the ring with that guy, is just crazy but damn, is he effective. The other kid is very well known, his name is Harry Smith, he's the NWA Tag Team Champion with Lance Archer and he's one of the best foreigner wrestlers that NJPW have, probably #2 after Prince Devitt. If you want to see a really good match, go watch him vs. Nakamura. I may be wrong, but WWE can regret his release without giving him a proper shot. The match was somehow slow paced, a lot of mat wrestling and few time, but I enjoyed it. Shibata won after releasing a triangle hold into a soccer kick right in Davey's body, and it was a matter of a three count.

Rating: 2/5 - I think I'm expecting too much from all of them...
Winner: Katsuyori Shibata (2 Points)

(5) B BLOCK Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. Yujiro Takahashi
This match is kinda cool and already has a story out of the bat. Those two guys are former partners, both Junior wrestlers too and former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. Naito had a pretty strong showing in G1 Climax last year, ending in second place right before Okada in his Block. He got injured, and he returned with a win over Takahashi, but can he do it again? Takahashi will easily be an internet favorite, thanks to his entrance in a Val Venis way but more action packed, like grabbing a female fan by the neck and trying to make her at least, smell your junk... :Japanese: Well, the match was actually very cool, specially the final sequence. Takahashi won the match after a reversal into an Olympic Slam, a dead-weight lift for a German Suplex and the most devastating "Dominator" I've ever seen.

Rating: - 2,5/5 - They are tied 1 to 1. I see a third match in the future!
Winner: Yujiro Takahashi (2 Points)

- They have like those interviews that I obviously didn't watch because apparently I have to know Japanese too. I barely know my native language and english...

(6) B BLOCK Match: Yuji Nagata vs. Minoru Suzuki
Some of you may remember Yuji Nagata from his sting in WCW... no? Well, he was cool. He's 45 years old, one of the veterans than can still go in the ring and make me laugh most of the times. Former two time World Heavyweight Champion, former Tag Team Champion, he already won the G1 Climax, etc... a hot shot from the past! Suzuki is former IWGP Tag Team Champion with Lance Archer. He also did something with Ken Shamrock that made both famous in the MMA world that wrestling fans know nothing about. Also, these two have an old rivalry that seems that will never have an end, not really excited for this... but it was not that bad. It felt longer than the other matches before. It was a slugfest, a lot of punches, and elbows in the jaw. Suzuki tried to aim to Nagata's knee in during the half of the match, but he seemed to forget about it and Nagata won the two points for his block.

Rating: - 2,75/5 - I suck at giving wrestling matches a rating, so don't take it as a better match than the others.
Winner: Yuji Nagata (2 Points)

(7) A BLOCK Match: Togi Makabe vs. Hirooki Goto
I'm not really interested in this match-up, even though this two can make it nasty and great. Togi Makabe is a 15 year veteran in NJPW, already a former IWGP World Champion, a former Tag Team Champion and already won G1 Climax back at 2009. He's a solid uppercard and he's facing a very similar guy, but more versatil as far as in-ring ability goes. I like Goto, I think he's deserving of a World Championship run, but not for now since he just got his momentum back up with the three great matches he had with Shibata. He also already won G1 Climax and is a solid uppercard. This was best match so far, easily. I enjoyed it a lot really. Very fast paced, very cool and the crowd really seemed to wake up with it.

Rating: 3/5 - I really enjoyed it, probably low expectations I don't know.
Winner: Togi Makabe (2 Points)

(8) B BLOCK Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. “The Machine Gun” Karl Anderson
Really fun match, and you probably heard about this two guys in the past. Karl Anderson has been appearing in ROH since the beginning of this year and he's already established in Japan as a very solid foreigner. He's in that role of a great guy that can be Tag Team Champion and have a good match with pretty much anybody and at the same time, is not a guy to hold single championships because, he isn't really a draw. He is the former tag team partner of Tensai, one of the best teams of this century and currently a member of The Bullet Club (a group of heel foreigners). Shinsuke Nakamura is a top name from Japan, probably #3 after Tanahashi and Okada. He's only 33 years old, already a 4x IWGP World Champion and current IWGP Intercontinental Champion. This was really good, I enjoyed their chemistry and they did worked the crowd in their match. Shinsuke lost cleanly to Anderson, he didn't look really strong in the match, specially his lack of offense in the end given the fact that he pretty much suffered all Anderson finishing and signature moves to lose. I'm happy to see the foreigners getting some wins today!

Rating: 3,25/5 - A must from day 1.´
Winner: Karl Anderson (2 Points)

(9) A BLOCK Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Satoshi Kojima
Its impossible for one to not enjoy a Tanahashi match, because the guy is a real professional wrestle. Everything he does looks good and you probably never watched him and already know his name. He's the japanese John Cena in terms of popularity but he isn't being booked as strong as he was some months ago. I don't know why, but the crowd was 99% in favor of Kojima, who is also a veteran in the company like his tag team partner that I previously mentioned here. Kojima looked like a beast in that match, getting real offense and doing some of best lariatoooos (clotheslines) you can get in Japan. The end of the match had two botches, one with a Lariat not really hitting and that looked bad to a point that Kojima actually hit another and in the pinfall, the referee stopped before counting three for a while and people really disconnected. It pissed me off, even though is just two small things in a 15 minute match.

Rating: 3/5 - Another must watch and the co-main event. I really don't know why Kojima had so much love from the crowd.
Winner: Satoshi Kojima (2 Points)

(10) A BLOCK Match: Kazuchika Okada vs. Prince Devitt
This was the main event of the night and a rematch from Kizuna Road, but this time the World Champion Okada didn't put his title on the line against the Jr. Champion Devitt. Some of you may know Okada since he's being groomed to be the top guy for almost two years now. He's loved by the fans, he's fresh and in top of all a fantastic worker that can get a classic with anybody they put in front of him. Prince Devitt is the #1 heel in the company, specially being like the leader of Bullet Club. He had a shot at the world championship, but was defeated. I'm biased to him since he's easily my favorite wrestler in Japan and I hope he can get higher, because he's a really nice, humble wrestler that just loves what he does - a normal Irish I may say! The match in itself isn't a MOTY candidate or even the best of the night, but it was a good one yet again. Devitt was led to the ring by former Bullet Club member, Bad Luck Fale and his presence really affected the match outcome.

I would love to see Devitt winning the G1 Climax, but that will probably never happen. I see him as this guy with a fantastic look, like a freaking model that can go to the ring and pretty much outwrestle every opponent. His facial expressions in this match was just fantastic, look at my sig and you'll see.

Rating: 3,25/5 - It was a great win for Devitt, I'm happy for him.
Winner: Prince Devitt (2 Points)

Overall Show: It was a fun show, good PPV wrestling calibre matches. Every guy gave what he had and they are continuing to do it for pretty much ten days non stop. The guy that really stole the show was Ishii in his match against Archer as I enjoyed the story, but the match of the night was probably Karl Anderson vs Nakamura.

I'm not doing this per everyday. However I did it just to give you guys some background on the participants. I'm not a "reviewer", I don't like to tell you what moves happened, however I'm a fan and I like to share my opinion so I hope this can get some of you to watch Japanese wrestling more often. I'll try and review the second day best matches of the night, and so on. I'm pumped for this year's G1 Climax, specially the Block A matches.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

For those who want to get into the G1 Climax, but agree with me that there aren't enough gimmicks, dusty finishes or item-on-a-pole matches, they can check out the subbed version of the press conference here.

[youtube]zp3HJcdAWuI[/youtube]

You get a bit of personality out of it, if thats your bag.

If you are on break at your place of work and can't watch 44 minutes, I'll give you the CliffsNotes.

The wrestlers are, in order of appearance:

Block A

Hiroshi Tanahashi - Japanese John Cena

Main events over the champ. Is over as hell. Plays air guitar. A fun fact, Tanahashi used to tag with Yoshi Tatsu. In every sense of the word, Yoshi is the Jannetty of that tag team. A fun drinking game is to do a shot every time he uses a Dragon Screw. Enjoy liver disease.


Togi Makabe - Unchained Gorilla

The Japanese Junkyard Dog. Calls out "that fucking Prince Devitt and Karl Anderson." No doubt he'll perform some Hirohito-era racial cleansing on these waito piggus.

Hirooki Goto - The Brave Warrior

Didn't have much to say. Was classmates with Shibata in high school, and no doubt beat the shit out of him.


Satoshi Kojima - Cozy man

Current Tag Team champion with Hiroyoshi Tenzan, who is in Block B. Won G1 3 years ago. Known as the man with the Coziest lariat in the world.


Prince Devitt - Real Rock 'n' Rolla'

I COULDN'T GIVE A FIDDLERS, DIDDLY DEE POTATO, YOU'RE ALL ********S


Kazuchika Okada - Rainmaker

The Current reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion. He's over as all hell, as well as being a stylish, sexy badass rebel. Received a monster push in the last year to reach new heights, and show how ultra-talented he is putting on 5 star matches earlier in the year. TNA used him as a jobber. Vintage TNA.

Tomohiro Ishii - Underrated

If you didn't watch last night, put on a classic with Tanahashi in the main event. Meltzer named Ishii one of the most underrated in wrestling. The Nippon William Regal.

Lance/Vance Archer - The American Psycho

Keep an eye out for Archer's tramp stamp, which looks like Celtic ovaries. Doesn't play guitar hero anymore.

David Hart Smith - Bulldog II

Yes, that DH Smith. Will bop you right in the gabber m8. Doesn't look like he could hurt a fly. Not as roided up as Dad.

Katsuyori Shibata - The Wrestler

P-Please don't give me a concussion, Shibata-san. Hardcore Holly has nothing on him. Is a shootfighter that pretty much kills everyone he's in the ring with. Legitimately put someone in a coma and killed them. Otherwise a pleasant guy.



Block B

Hiroyoshi Tenzan - Ignore my Nasty Boys haircut

The other half of the Tag Team Champions. Wants to face his partner in the finals. Fuck he has bad hair. Watch out for his top rope face-buster bulldog, which has the distinction of the worst looking move of all time.


Yuji Nagata - Blue Justice

A perennial tweener, has had a heated rivalry with Suzuki. Also lost to both Fedor and Kro Kop in MMA and lived to tell the tale.

Tetsuya Naito - Stardust Genius

Looks like a Thai Ladyboy. I'm trying to think of something to say, but he really is quite ugly. Suffered a legit knee injury in last years tournament and worked through it and is out to prove himself. Was also in TNA and got jobbed out to Kevin Nash.

Kota Ibushi - Golden Star

Famous for tagging with Kenny Omega and wrestling against a blow up doll, its Kota Ibushi. Is deliciously androgynous and also does flippy things like the PENIX SPLASHU. Probably won't win but is sure to do some cool spots. Think Kofi Kingston but not shit.

Karl Anderson - Machine Gun

Screams and yells like only a MURRICAN knows how. Used to be in a tag team with Sweet T. Obviously Tensai has the better career now. Keeps yelling to the camera that he is a REAL HERO and a REAL HUMAN BEAN. Is in a heel stable with Prince Devitt called "Bullet Club".

Shinsuke Nakamura - SWAG

I've heard Nakamura described as Fandango, except good. The current Intercontinental Champion. Has a neat move called the Boma Ye replete with tuning up the band. Also, corpses during Takahashi's promo. SEND FOR THE MAN.

Toru Yano - Noble Thief

BUY MY DVD ON WWESHOP.COM. PLEASE BUY MY DVD, I NEED TO FEED MY KIDS. Looks like the Blue Meanie. Buy 2000 copies of his DVD. Nakamura corpses along with Okada at this promo too. Shit, get it together man.


Yujiro Takahashi - Mr. Rated R

Japanese Dolph Ziggler brought a porn star to the press conference. Proceeds to make out with her and generally be a pimp. Makes her ride Space Mountain, because he can go all night long. Please note, the "scantily clad" porn star is wearing pretty much what a WWE diva wears at a formal event.

Minoru Suzuki - The Man with the Worst Personality in the World

Just watch his promo. 29:15, this man is a god.

Shelton X. Benjamin - Invader X

The last baka-gaijin, he rambles about hoes and being the champ. Promo's always were your strong suit, Shelton.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

~~ AUGUST 2ND - 2013 ~~

(1) B BLOCK Match: “The Machine Gun” Karl Anderson vs. Shelton “X” Benjamin
Cool ten minute match to open the second day. Karl Anderson tried to be more funny, but it came out looking good as he's a good villain. Good back aand forth in the final and it could go to either one of them. Karl Anderson won and him and Nakamura should be the favorites to advance to the finals in B Block.

Rating: 2,5/5
Winner: Karl Anderson (4 Points)
Loser: Shelton Benjamin (2 Points)

(2) B BLOCK Match: Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Yujiro Takahashi
Didn't watch the match since none of them is really any favorite to anything. Saw the finish though, a little bit botched the "Dominator" but they changed it for two moonsaults in a row and Takahashi scores yet another victory, letting Tenzan with two straight losses. It will be fun to see how far they'll be at the end of the tournament.

Winner: Yujiro Takahashi (4 Points)
Loser: Hiroyoshi Tenzan (0 Points)

(3) B BLOCK Match: Yuji Nagata vs. Toru Yano
Watched bits of it only, it seemed like an ugly brawlfest and didn't really care for any of them. The finish saw Nagata using a high knee in the corner and capitalizing on the confused opponent to apply a German Suplex with a bridge for the victory. Nagata scores his second victory in the tournament while Toru Yano is doing what he pretty much always does. Yano reminds me a lot of Jim Duggan.

Winner: Yuji Nagata (4 Points)
Loser: Toru Yano (0 Points)

(4) A BLOCK Match: Prince Devitt vs. Lance Archer
I was not expecting that outcome, I really wasn't but hell it looked good. Archer wanted to be the heel of the match at first, but as I mentioned in the review of the first day, Devitt is now the #1 heel and people really hate him, so therefore in this match the crowd was 100% in Archer's corner. A David vs. Goliath type of battle, with Devitt using every trick in the book as far as heelish things go. They had some chairshots, and we even saw a 6 feet 8 (2 metres) guy doing a moonsault. Anyhow, the match ended with Archer getting rid of Fale (Bullet Club member, a big guy that helps Devitt) and catching Deviit mid air only to use his silly crazy finishing move for the win. (reversed crucifix powerbomb).

Rating: 3/5
Winner: Lance Archer (4 Points)
Loser: Prince Devitt (2 Points)

(5) A BLOCK Match: Satoshi Kojima vs. Katsuyori Shibata
The crowd was hot for this match, they all loved both wrestlers and I for once am starting to enjoy Kojima a lot in singles action. Kojima has the catchphrase, that I obviously don't know what, he has that signature chop mode in the corner and the craziest, most vicious looking Lariats. Shibata is cool too, he looks good and fights legit but he come up short this time. Impressive showing given the fact that the match only had a lot of elbows and striking and few grappling, submission and mat wrestling. Well, anyway second big win for Kojima.

Rating: 2,25/5
Winner: Satoshi Kojima (4 Points)
Loser: Katsuyori Shibata (2 Points)

(6) A BLOCK Match: Togi Makabe vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
It was a good day for the Killer Elite Squad with Davey Jr. getting a good victory over Makabe. The match was dull and they lost the crowd, once again a lot of brawling and few grappling, but I understand that they need to maintain healthy for the rest of the week. Overall I only enjoyed the last three minutes of the match. Davey Boy can't seem to show his personality, at least not a normal one. He's as cliché as you can possibly get and that may be the sole reason 'E fired him.

Rating: 1,5/5
Winner: Davey Boy Smith (2 Points)
Loser: Togi Makabe (2 Points)

(7) B BLOCK Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi
This is one I wouldn't miss for anything, it had two great highflyers in the ring, and please don't judge an highflyer as a spot monkey before watching. Naito came from a loss against Takahashi, while Kota Ibushi won his first match - Kota is pretty much the only Jr. japanese wrestler I like to follow. It was easily best match so far, it started slow, specially a submission and tactical match, but as the match progressed Ibushi started to get some momentum behind him and the pace started to pick up. Some cool spots like a Sitdown Powerbomb from Ibushi to Naito, that set up the finishing Corkscrew 450º Splash that gave Ibushi his second victory in a row in his G1 Climax debut.

Rating: 3,5/5 - A must of that night, really. Slow, middle and fast pace.
Winner: Kota Ibushi (4 Points)
Loser: Tetsuya Naito (0 Points)

(8) B BLOCK Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Minoru Suzuki
Didn't watch the match even though I like Nakamura a lot, saw bits of it like the striking sequence from Suzuki middle of the match. Also I enjoyed a lot of Suzuki's entrance theme, an "Eye of The Tiger" remix. Well the finish saw Suzuki reversing a "Cross Armbreaker" into a "Piledriver" that got him the victory. Looks like the IWGP Intercontinental Champion isn't having much luck with two straight clean falls.

Winner: Minoru Suzuki (2 Points)
Loser: Shinsuke Nakamura (0 Points)

(9) A BLOCK Match: Hirooki Goto vs. Kazuchika Okada
It's time for the co-main event and it's a rematch from the finals of the New Japan Cup, won by Okada obviously. Goto has been great as of late and it's a matter of time for him to have his shot at Okada's IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. This match surely helped that goal and I for one really enjoyed it. The crowd was hot for this match, really cool storytelling and the thing that impresses me the most in Okada is his selling. Goto has all the tools to be a top talent for years in Japan, specially his look and in-ring ability. I don't know if he's too stiff but he doesn't look to be which to me, makes him a better professional wrestler. Once again the World Champion loses a match cleanly in under 20 minutes and the top tier talent keeps on getting bad luck.

Rating: 3/5 - Great match, great crowd.
Winner: Hirooki Goto (2 Points)
Loser: Kachizuka Okada (0 Points)

(10) A BLOCK Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii
I was really impressed with Ishii yesterday, as I've stated I haven't seen anything from him before. He showed a lot of heart in his match against Archer and as stated by other poster, he really is an underrated worker given the fact that he's pretty much always in the midcard to lowcard position. As you see Tanahashi is closing the show, so you can see that he's bigger than the World Champion right there. Both of them came out of a loss from Day 1, but in an upset this changed!! AND WHAT A MATCH! EASILY BEST MATCH OF THE NIGHT! Really close finishes, a crowd that was 50/50 a bunch of sequences with elbows, slaps, punches. Great grappling and a good story overall with Ishii defeating the #1 man of NJPW. I really recommend this match for all of you.

Rating: 4,25/5 - Great match really! Great story and I feel bad for giving out the result.
Winner: Tomohiro Ishii (2 Points)
Loser: Hiroshi Tanahashi (0 Points)

Overall Show: I'm really enjoying it. As a fan I enjoyed a lot more of Day 1, really thanks to Devitt's victory over Okada, but in general Day 2 was better. The surprise of the night was Archer's victory over Devitt and the match of the night was easily the main event. Once again, hope you guys enjoyed this ahm, review...

If any of you is interested in watching any of the matches from both days, the shows are on Youtube. They were uploaded by PuroresuMatche2, and since I don't know if I can post it here, I'll just leave this note.

CURRENT STANDINGS:
BLOCK A:
1. Satoshi Kojima (2W|0L|0D - 4 Points)
". Lance Archer (2W|0L|0D - 4 Points)
2. Tomohiro Ishii (1W|1L|0D - 2 Points)
". Hirooki Goto (1W|1L|0D - 2 Points)
". Prince Devitt (1W|1L|0D - 2 Points)
". Togi Makabe (1W|1L|0D - 2 Points)
". Davey Boy Smith Jr. (1W|1L|0D - 2 Points)
". Katsuyori Shibata (1W|1L|0D - 2 Points)
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi (0W|2L|0D - 0 Points)
". Kazuchika Okada (0W|2L|0D - 0 Points)

CURRENT STANDINGS:
BLOCK B:
1. Kota Ibushi (2W|0L|0D - 4 Points)
". Karl Anderson (2W|0L|0D - 4 Points)
". Yuji Nagata (2W|0L|0D - 4 Points)
". Yujiro Takahashi (2W|0L|0D - 4 Points)
2. Shelton Benjamin (1W|1L|0D - 2 Points)
". Minoru Suzuki (1W|1L|0D - 2 Points)
3. Shinsuke Nakamura (0W|2L|0D - 0 Points)
". Tetsuya Naito (0W|2L|0D - 0 Points)
". Toru Yano (0W|2L|0D - 0 Points)
". Hiroyoshi Tenzan (0W|2L|0D - 0 Points)

 

[ヒュー　G.　レックション]

I'm sure you could find a way to watch it, if you just follow your heart.

Haha I had a gander on Dailymotion but couldn't find anything. Thank you very much for that press conference video though, I'll be sure to watch it to get an idea of all the top guys at the moment!

 

[MrHashasheen]

Looking at the press conference right now...

Is there a reason none of them are wearing their fucking championships or carrying them on their shoulders? Seriously bugging me.

Also, probably would have been a lot cooler if they had done the video highlights style. Maybe intermix each guy doing his bit with some of their most famous or better moments, leave a couple of the bigger names at the end to have a bit more impact to it and have the Q & A be a separate thing?

But this was a livestream, so I can't really say shit.

I love Makabe's look. Loved his promo. He is now my new favorite Japanese wrestler.

Devitt cuts a shit promo. And for a "Real Rock N'Rolla" he looks pretty clean cut.

Okada reminds me of Joey from Friends.

Lance Archer doesn't look like a psycho. He just reminds me of Underfaker. Or Biker! Taker. Or Taker in general.

Yay, David Smith!

I'm digging Karl Anderson. And he's feuding with Makabe? I might have to follow this.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

All the days are uploaded on YouTube, and there are live streams, although since most of you are American, I don't know how you feel about 4am starts.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

As for the matches last night, Day 3 didn't live up to the hype of Day 2.

The crowd wasn't as hot, and we had our first real stinker of the tournament, due to Tenzan being shit and old.

Recommendations would be:

Togi Makabe vs. Katsuyori Shibata

Holy shit was this a stiff match. I was seriously waiting for someone to get a concussion. You may as well go into this match treating it as a shoot fight. Was awesome.

Hirooko Goto vs Satoshi Kojima

Just a really solid match all around and my vote for best of the night. They threw everything at each other, and the near falls were ridiculous in true puro fashion.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

Ishii/Shibata may have just dethroned Okada/Tanahashi for MOTY

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

Since I pretty much believe that people are not giving two shits for my long ass reviews, I might as well only say what I am enjoying xd

Mantaur is way ahead of me, I'm still watching day 3:

Ibushi def. Karl Anderson
Does anybody have a better moonsault from the top rope onto the ground than Kota Ibushi? The guy is fantastic! I just love his spots, and it doesn't matter how many times I've seen them.

Prince Devitt def. Tomohiro Ishii
Great match, but somehow I'm hoping that we can have a full match with no interference featuring Prince Devitt. Good win here and Ishii has been the best on the tournament so far.

Katsuyori Shibata def. Togi Makabe
This was stiff. I'm with Mantaur, it's amazing how Makabe finished the match given the fact that he was pretty much beaten up inside a wrestling ring. That dropkick to the corner was brutal, I still hear the "pop" when it landed on Togi head. Fun match!!

Hiroshi Tanahashi def. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
Fun match to end the night, I really enjoyed it. Davey was cool here, not trying to be too much forced as a villain and Tanahashi brought the best in him. Davey is getting fat though. I enjoy watching Tanahashi doing what he loves to do, he's exciting and he pretty much works every kind of style in wrestling.

 

[.]

Any footage of these matches Nolan?

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

Any footage of these matches Nolan?

I dont know if I can post the shows here, but you just need to go on YouTube and search for "G1 Climax 23 Day" and they will appear. Or just look for "PuroresuMatche2" and you'll find the channel of someone that uploads it.

 

[Shadowmancer]

Its all on Youtube, not WZ

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

Day 4 was honestly one of the best wrestling shows I've viewed, and I don't speak Japanese.

It had something for everyone, and I'm pretty sure there was an ongoing bet backstage to see how could be the biggest heel on Osaka. With that in mind, it was an awesome show.

Toru vs Yujiro had great heel vs heel comedy.

Shelton vs Nagata had Benjamin actually giving a shit and pulling out vintage moves.

Suzuki showed why he's the best heel in wrestling today against Naito (the highlight being destroying Naito's knee on a guardrail and then rolling lazily into the ring to do aerobics)

Ishii/Shibata wasn't a match, it was attempted murder. 5 stars.

Okada showed why he's the best heel in the business by having a great match with Makabe.

Prince Devitt showed why he's the best heel in the business by having the messiest, funniest, run in filled match of the night with Japanese John Cena.

Shinsuke vs Ibushi was again, incredible and a coming out party for Kota. He's ready BROTHER.

Get your hands on this event. It's on YouTube. Every match is different and none are boring.

Top event.

 

[Perfected123]

Ishii vs Shibata. No words. Good thing it's the spam section.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

Goto and Tenzan are out of the tournament due to injury and so far my predictions are working with Shibata and Nakamura on top of each block.

 

[ヒュー　G.　レックション]

About to finish Day 2 (yeah I know I'm way behind lol) and boy I'm absolutely loving this! I'm gonna give my thoughts when I've finished Day 2 and I also have quite a few questions regarding some of the talent and some just Japanese wrestling in general I'll ask them in my next post except for one I'll post now. This really bothers me, why is it that Yano, and only Yano, is using weapons in front of the referee with no DQ?