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OKADA VS. TANAHASHI & MORE: 9/19 NJPW G1 CLIMAX DAY 2 IN OSAKA REPORT

By James Kurokawa on 2021-09-19 03:44:00

New Japan's G1 Climax 31-  9/19/21 from Osaka, Japan:

1.  Kosei Fujita vs. SHO

Fujita was eager to attack and charged at SHO.  SHO escaped to the floor.   SHO baited Fujita who charged.  SHO caught Fujita’s arm and snapped it on the ropes.   He dragged Fujita to the floor and threw him into the guardrails.   SHO hammered his chest with chops.   Back in the ring, SHO pounded on Fujita and used Bullet Club tricks on the referee.    Fujita tried to fight back.   SHO hit two deadlift German Suplexes.   SHO locked on The Snake Bite.

Fujita taps out.

SHO continues to look good in his new role.   I have concerns which I will address after the next match.

G1 Climax 31 B Block Matches:

2.  YOSHI-HASHI vs. EVIL, with Dick Togo

Both men traded headlocks in the early moments.   Togo distracted YOSHI-HASHI and he chased Togo around the ring.   This allowed EVIL to hit a lariat and whip YOSHI-HASHI into the guardrails.    EVIL distracted the referee while Togo attacked YOSHI-HASHI.    Back in the ring, YOSHI-HASHI surprises EVIL with a Headhunter.   He chops the chest of EVIL forcing him to retreat to the floor.   Togo helps get the advantage again and EVIL applies the Scorpion on the floor.   YOSHI-HASHI’s back was hurt.   EVIL was cocky and YOSHI-HASHI hit him with lariats.   Pace picks up and YOSHI-HASHI pulls out a bunch of moves but could not get a pin.   Togo distracted the referee again, which allowed EVIL to hit a low blow and EVIL hits Everything is Evil.

EVIL pins YOSHI-HASHI.

Really good match.   YOSHI-HASHI looked awesome.  Despite the loss, he looked sharp against EVIL.

The amount of cheating by EVIL and Togo is ridiculous.  I like the concept of the “House of Torture”.   The image that I have would be a submission-based group.   However, this idea fits Suzuki-Gun more than Bullet Club.   Yujiro Takahashi beat Kota Ibushi last night, but Takahashi rarely uses submissions.   SHO is a submission wrestler.  EVIL uses the Darkness Scorpion but he relies more on Togo and referee distractions to get wins.    Not everyone in Bullet Club uses as much interference as EVIL does.  EVIL is a great wrestler and does not need help to win matches.   This group needs to establish an identity.   

3.  Jeff Cobb vs. Chase Owens

Owens tried to use his speed early on.   Until Cobb hit an over the head belly to belly suplex on the floor.   Ouch!!  Cobb uses his power to break down Owens with lariats and working on Owen’s back.  Owens used his speed again to hit and run against Cobb.  Owens goes for a Package Piledriver but he could not lift Cobb.   Cobb hit an Oklahoma Stampede and a moonsault.   Two count.    Owens hit a VTrigger and a Jewel Heist.   Cobb kicks out.    The exchange shots and Cobb hits a Tour of the Islands.

Cobb pins Owens.

Good match.   Chase Owens was prepared and he was able to hit his best moves.   Jeff Cobb was just too strong.

4.  SANADA vs. Tama Tonga

The match started fast with both men showing their athleticism.   They bounced off the ropes and hit dropkicks.   Tama slowed the pace by keeping SANADA on the mat with headlocks.   SANADA rallied back and trapped him in the Paradise Lock.    Paced picked up again.  Both men have wrestled each other so much that their moves were sharp and crisp.   Tama went for a Gun Stun but SANADA trapped him in Skull End.    SANADA lets him go to hit a moonsault which he does not hit.   SANADA rolls out of another Gun Stun and rolls up Tama with an O’Conner Roll.

SANADA pins Tama Tonga.

Great match.   Tama Tonga looked chiseled and jacked.   There was a lot of good wrestling in his match.  I plan on rewatching this match again.   

5.  Hirooki Goto vs. Taichi

Miho Abe accompanies Taichi to ringside.   

Taichi trash talked Goto at the start and Goto attacked him.   Goto grabbed the IWGP Tag Title belt and almost hit Taichi with it.    The went to the floor and Goto choked out Taichi with cable wire.    Taichi tried to separate himself for a breather.   Goto followed to attack but Taichi threw him into the guardrails.  

Pace picks up and both men exchanged some great moves and reversals.   

Taichi hits Black Mephisto and pins Goto.

Damn good match!   I love watching Goto in the G1 Climax.  He can really wrestle and is more than a tag wrestler.  Taichi is the same.   The pairing of these two was awesome and I will watch this match again as well.

6.  Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada

In 2019, Tanahashi and Okada faced off against each other in Dallas, Texas on the Opening night of the A Block.  Okada beat Tanahashi that night.   

Five minutes in and both men are telling a story with a headlock and exchanging headlocks.   Good stuff here.   Tanahashi hit a dropkick to the leg of Okada, perhaps setting up a Cloverleaf.    Okada countered with DDT on the floor.  Tanahashi fought back with Dragon Screws on Okada’s leg.   Tanahashi hits Aces High on Okada who was on the floor.   Okada trapped Tanahashi in the Money Clip and Tanahashi makes it to the ropes.   

With 30 seconds before the time limit, Okada hit the Rainmaker.   Okada pins Tanahashi.

Wow!  That match was awesome.   These two men told a great story in the ring.   This could be the return of Okada to the top of the G1 and on his way to Wrestle Kingdom.

Okada took the mic and said that Rainmaker has returned.

B Block Standings as of 9/19/21

YOSHI-HASHI - 0

EVIL - 2

Jeff Cobb - 2

Chase Owens - 0

SANADA - 2

Tama Tonga - 0

Hirooki Goto - 0

Taichi - 2

Hiroshi Tanahashi - 0

Kazuchika Okada - 2

Thank you for reading.

 

 

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