NJPW G1 Climax 1994 - Day 4 06/08/1994
G1 Climax 1994 Block A Match: Keiji Muto vs. Osamu Kido
A nearly but not quite match for Kido. Kido out tricks Muto several times and gets some critical submissions that almost get the win but Muto stays calm and persevered. ***
G1 Climax 1994 Block A Match: Masahiro Chono vs. Yoshiaki Yatsu
Pretty neat match. Chono took a more heelish role, clearly testing the waters for next month, making Yatsu the sympathetic one which worked. ***1/4
G1 Climax 1994 Block A Match: Riki Choshu vs. Yoshiaki Fujiwara
This was a cool little match built around submissions. Fujiwara takes Choshu back to 1987 and overwhelms him with holds. Fujiwara is so relentless and tires Choshu out until Fujiwara finds a weakness and picks at it. Choshu defended well enough but it was futile. ***1/2
NJPW G1 Climax 1994 - Day 5 07/08/1994
G1 Climax 1994 Block B Match: Power Warrior vs. Takayuki Iizuka
This was low-key amazing. Iizuka at this age is showing me something amazing. He is quick on his feet, smart with his use of minimalistic offence like stomps and holds. He matched up with Power Warrior really well. The contrast between the gimkicked up Kensuke Sasaki and clean cut young Iizuka was brought in their offence as well as Sasaki is all about Power and flash. This wow’d me honestly. ****
G1 Climax 1994 Block B Match: Shinya Hashimoto vs. Shiro Koshinaka
I have no choice to cap this match as there is only 20 minutes out of the 30 shown. But rest assured that the 20 was pretty riveting. Koshinaka working from beneath is usually a great treat for the match as his selling is really good, his connection with the crowds is one of the best in the promotion and he has impeccable timing for near falls. The match also benefits from a super performance from Hashimoto as well - Hashimoto pulled out a ton of new tricks like a butt-drop to defend against a sunset flip and a few top rope elbow drops. The hook of the match was the back and forth struggle for the win. That's what truly compelled me. ****
G1 Climax 1994 Block B Match: Tatsumi Fujinami vs. Hiroshi Hase
Super good match from Hase’s point of view. He pulls off a confident victory, picking Fujinami’s weakened arm apart with tight submission holds and laying in the traps to unleash his uranages and northern lights suplexes. Fujinami is one win away from reaching another finals against Chono (although that wasn't known at the time), fights hard and sells well but just doesn't have enough. ***1/2
G1 Climax 1994 Block A Match: Osamu Kido vs. Riki Choshu
No nonsense wrestling from these two. Choshu is the dominant one, controlling the bout and Kido with his wrestling ability and brute force. ***
G1 Climax 1994 Block A Match: Keiji Muto vs. Yoshiaki Yatsu
Yatsu has been a pleasant surprise in his G1. Solidly quality matches on every single night and this was no different. Muto also had his working boots on so these two together worked. Yatsu was the simple vet, laying in the strikes, doing a few sneaky ballshots while Muto relied on speed and technique. ***1/2
G1 Climax 1994 Block A Match: Masahiro Chono vs. Yoshiaki Fujiwara
I'm not sure what the rules were regarding tie-breakers but I believe this was the deciding match to determine who faces Power Warrior in the finals as Chono would go ahead on points and Fujiwara beat Choshu and Muto who would be on the same points should he win. But thankfully we didn't have to find out as Chono, injured arm and all, is able to survive Fujiwara’s sadism and score the deciding fall to advance. Fujiwara attacked the arm naturally and Chono had no real answer for it except to hang on until he can reach the ropes. When that didn't work, Fujiwara nailed him with his shoot headbutts but Chono still battled on with the crowd behind him and was able to turn the tide with a few Kenka kicks and the reliable STF. ***3/4
G1 Climax 1994 Final Match: Power Warrior vs. Masahiro Chono
Mr G1 does it yet again! The match isn't much to write home about unfortunately with a few too many long holds that weren't compelling before the action gets going and the drama comes to light. The crowd was HOT though. Power Warrior could've easily won this which is one of the main points of the match. Chono wins it with a long, struggling STF for a third G1. **3/4
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