Horangi

I did write a list of some matches the other day, but here is a full list. Matches with ** next to them are highly recommended, others are matches I enjoyed so are worth watching if you have the time and/or are a fan of those involved Pretty much Zack/Gabe/Shingo in block A, and Goto/Uemura/Takeshita/Cobb in Block B have been the stand outs. I'm all on board with one last Goto hurrah but us Goto fans know to expect disappointment.

Thought tonight's Korakuen show was a blast! The main event is right up there with the best matches this tournament. They seem to be putting Naito's body falling apart but he keeps on fighting into his story now, the Umino match was probably his best all tournament Gabe Kidd vs Jake Lee was everything I hoped it would be

Sure! Nagasaki night 5 was mostly average, but thought Umino/O-Khan was fun and ZSJ vs Jake Lee was Jake's best match so far. Night 6 in Fukuoka - thought Cobb/Uemura, Takeshita/Henare and Tsuji/Goto were good and worth seeking out. The hot crowd helped Night 7 in Fukuoka had a really good Zack/Umino match, and possible match of the tournament contender so far in Shingo vs Gabe Kidd. Thought Naito vs SANADA was fun, but crowd seemed exhausted after the semi main Night 8 in Yamaguchi - Uemura/ Henare and Takeshita/Finlay were quite good. Gabe Kidd on English commentary was unexpected Night 9 Osaka - Shingo vs Zack is in my top 3 for sure, rest of the show if skipped you wouldn't be missing much.

Hiroshima was...interesting - Takeshita vs Cobb was very good, thought Zack/Newman and Takagi/O-Khan were fun and actually did really like Umino/Gabe despite Jake vs Naito on the other hand...

I thought both nights in Osaka were really good - to add to Evil Otto's recommendations from night 1, did enjoy Finlay vs Uemura probably more than I should have. Night 2 didn't have anything as good as Tsuji vs Takeshita, but Tsuji vs Finlay, Umino vs Takagi, ZSJ vs Naito & Gabe vs O-Khan are well worth a look. Hell I even enjoyed both HOT matches. Shota looked a lot better on night 2, but still looks like he is in obvious pain. Either they are gonna write him off early or he is a finalist, I can't see it going any other way because why bother if he's hurt? Jake Lee's nickname "Smart Bastard" might be my favourite nickname in pro wrestling at the moment. I think this G1 might be decisive for the overall opinion on Jake. I stand by that I thought he was great in All Japan, but how much of that was guys like Miyahara, Yuma and Suwama carrying the load? I wont say he was dreadful in NOAH, but it wasn't good...kind of like he was just in autopilot the whole time, but was NOAH just a bad fit for him? Jury is out, so I am intrigued to see how he goes here. Naito is not looking good, better than he did against Moxley and night 2 was certainly a step up from the first night. He should not be in 20 minute main events, yet his next 3 (Jake, EVIL and SANADA) are all main events at this stage. I don't think this is his last G1, but I think its close - maybe 1 more? EDIT: Forgot to add, we look at how broken guys like Tanahashi and Naito are, on the other hand, Goto is taking the Kojima route and is looking in great shape. Certainly could be re-positioned as a proper gatekeeper for the younger generation (he and Takagi could both function here as NJPW is very much lacking in strong gatekeepers).

Gutted for Taichi, he's been the head of my boy stable (thanks OSW review) for a long time but I can certainly accept it if its pushing forward this agenda of change President Ace has been speaking about.

Block A Qualifiers: YOSHI-HASHI vs Chase, winner takes on Ishii Yujiro vs Newman, winner takes on KENTA Block B Qualifiers: Boltin vs Yano, winner takes on Tanahashi Kojima vs TJP, winner takes on Taichi Based on this I'd say Block A is winner of Ishii vs Newman final, Block B probably Boltin but could see Taichi squeezing it (and avenging his TJP loss from earlier in the year)

I saw something on Twitter about Jake Lee disbanding GLG at Budokan a week before the G1, which might fuel some of those rumours about him being more involved with New Japan going forward. Jake vs EVIL is going to be interesting, just for the collective meltdown on social media.

No real surprises (predicted Jake, had a hunch it'd either be Takeshita or Kyle Fletcher for the AEW spot) but the inner Taichi mark within me is sad (no way anyone but Boltin is winning that Block B mini tournament). Block A on paper seems more interesting despite EVIL being in it. Hoping Ishii can get through but think it will be Newman

My gut feel is there will be 1 x AEW/ROH representative and 1 x NOAH representative (Jake Lee I'd guess). Would love to see Nakajima turn up over Jake though. I also think the winner will be one of Shota, Tsuji or Zack. If Mox retains at Forbidden Door I'd say he holds until the Dome and drops to a G1 winning Shota. If Naito wins, then either Tsuji or Zack win.

The Despe invitacional was something...maybe one of the craziest in a super fun way I've watched in God knows how long.

Semi finals are set!

Top 2 matches from last night I think are definitely contenders for match of the tournament. On paper, Block B looked really strong but so far I don't think anything had gone beyond fun until Hiromu vs Eagles which is my match of the tournament now. Both guys just went all out, better than their title match last year which I also loved. Desperado/TJP also delivered. Despe just has a knack for making anyone he is in the ring with look like a star (Akira last year, Fujita and TJP this year). TJP more than held up his end too...don't know where his future lies as a junior or a heavyweight but I can see a Jr Heavyweight title run if he sticks around.

Two really great matches tonight - Desperado/Fujita in particular felt really special. I don't think he's even making he final 4, but I certainly would not be against New Japan deciding to hitch their wagon on Fujita now, he has a connection that, Wato or YOH for example, did not have at this stage in their career. Hiromu vs DOUKI was great too, they just naturally gel together I think. Also really enjoyed Titan/BUSHI and Eagles/Moloney in particular. Overall it was a fun show with a hot crowd.

Surely it's not a case of EVIL being over in Japan but Gedo just refusing to back down at this point, right? The Twitter/Reddit meltdown how been hilarious though

Nemeth would be a great addition to the G1 if schedule/politics allow. The only real negative has been the lack of heat to his matches but I base that more due to the crowds just not being familiar with him. Also would love to see him mix it up with more New Japan guys - was really looking forward to the tag with Tana vs SANADA & Taichi until injuries and other changes happened.

SANADA off the All Together show, replaced by Taichi. I think this will be the first time the former Dangerous Tekkers members face off.

Block B is stacked! Always keen for Robbie/Hiromu matches. Robbie and KUSHIDA had a really good match in Ballarat a few weeks ago, looking forward to the rematch. Dragon Dia is certainly a massive upgrade from Taguchi

A list I quickly drew up, I have probably missing something very major. Vaguely in order - Zack Sabre Jr vs Bryan Danielson 11/2/2024 - Kazuchika Okada vs Bryan Danielson 4/1/2024 - War Dogs vs United Empire Cage Match 11/2/2024 - Okada/Tanahashi/Ishii vs TMDK 24/1/2024 - Tetsuya Naito vs SANADA 4/1/2024 - Yota Tsuji vs Hirooki Goto 20/3/2024 - Jon Moxley vs Shingo Takagi 13/1/2024 - Gabe Kidd vs HENARE 4/2/2024 - Shota Umino vs Jack Perry 12/4/2024 - Hiromu Takahashi vs DOUKI 24/2/2024

Apparently KUSHIDA is replacing YOH

There's also a fun looking Korakuen card with a LIJ vs War Dogs series featuring Shingo vs Clark Connors, Naito vs Drilla Moloney and Hiromu vs Shingo. KOPW is on the line on one of those Road to shows with O-Khan vs Uemura. I think Cobb beats Zack so Zack can properly move on to bigger things. I'm guessing most other champions retain, could see Hiromu finally getting a Jr tag run though.

Not a lot for me to add, I did enjoy the main event even though it was a bit slow at times. Tsuji I feel is made and doesn't need the big title win as much as say Umino would (similar to say Naito or Chono). My early guess is that Mox wins in Chicago --> Umino wins G1 and goes up against his mentor at the Dome. However if that was to happen, 2/3 of their non-Jr singles titles would be on foreigners who wont be on every major show so I'm probably wrong. Gutted for YOH, hopefully he isn't out for too long. He seems unlikely for Super Juniors so I wonder who replaces him. Thought MUSASHI would have been a lock but I guess he's booked with All Japan? My only other real thought is that I really wish one of the bigger companies (does not have to be New Japan even though I think he'd be a great fit and has history with Umino) would sign Ayato Yoshida, or at least book him regularly. He's really wasted in 2AW, and I worry he's just going to end up like Kengo Mashimo as a really talented wrestler who just never goes anywhere.

Night 1 in Sapporo is hard to defend even for a big New Japan mark like me. I will say I think the Nemeth/Finlay match is getting dragged down due to the 3 shitty matched ahead of it. It's not MOTYC but was certainly enjoyable. Nemeth cut an awesome backstage promo after. Apparently Tanahashi may have been hurt in the Riddle match, he's been pulled from tonight's show.