Strong 5th Day of The G1 & FTR Vs Jay White/Juice Robinson MOTYC

NJPW G1 Climax 33 - Day 5 - 21/07/2023

G1 Climax 2023 Block A Match: Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Shota Umino

Umino was really over in this match. His stock has only risen since the G1 began due to some solid booking and good performances to match it, but the main factor is that he’s the New Japan wrestler against the NOAH representative. Home turf takes precedence over such things. The match started off fine. Fast paced counters, setting a quick tempo which led to a quick strike exchange (thankfully). The match finally settled on a story - Kiyomiya working the leg. It’s a decent impression of Mutoh, if I’m honest. The dragon screws and figure four leg locks were on point and they were able to get a good amount of drama out of them. Umino proved himself to be a very good underdog throughout the tournament and I got the same impression here. Once he finds his character that isn’t him aping 3 different people, he’ll be a hell of an act. The match was good but I do think another draw is a bit odd. Just give Kiyomiya the win. He’s a former GHC Heavyweight champion. Come on. ***1/2

G1 Climax 2023 Block B Match: Taichi vs. Kazuchika Okada

I’m sorry did Taichi just no-sold both the tombstone and a variation of a rainmaker not even a minute into the match? And no, him holding his neck like he slept funny doesn’t mean he sold it. Despite the brain dead start to the match, it nonetheless leads into the main story of the match which has Taichi in a dangerously vulnerable position, with a hurt neck, having to  fight back against Okada. And I think the match does a splendid job at that. It’s a genuinely compelling performance by Taichi with a solid one by Okada. ***3/4

G1 Climax 2023 Block A Match: SANADA vs. Yota Tsuji

If this era of New Japan will have main events that more resemble classics like Mutoh and Chono than Ishii vs Shibata, perhaps Japanese wrestling will be in safe hands. SANADA isn’t a wrestler who always hits in the ring but he has so much chemistry with Yota Tsuji, which SANADA thrives on. The counters were great, of course, especially in the closing stretch but it was their charisma - yes, SANADA included - that held it all together. SANADA felt like a real champion holding his position against a hungry young star, one who is booming in popularity right now, and that made for an amazingly compelling bout. **** 

AEW Collision 2023 - 15/07/2023

AEW World Tag Team Title Best Two Out Of Three Falls Match: FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) (c) vs. Bullet Club Gold (Jay White & Juice Robinson)

While the match last week failed to really be compelling for the near 30 minute run time (it was good but ultimately too long), this did double that and actually improved, honed and, in some cases, perfected upon itself. I think this was superb throughout with its very segmented structure. The first fall was the first mix of solid character work with quick tags that had a great finish. The second fall was essentially a single match in one with a fantastic heat section that showed the strengths of Jay White as a worker while showing that FTR are just as compelling in the baby face role as they are working on top. The whole match was sensational by this point, and while the third fall was the weakest of the lot, it kept with the strong fundamentals ending with a cool finish. The striking in the match was top class, very little pointless strike exchanges that no one sells were to be seen through, every strike thrown was sold and meant to push the match's narrative, the bumps were all appropriate, the tag team dynamics were excellent and they were able to keep the match flowing without wasting time or spinning their wheels too much. Jay White, in particular, was fantastic. After a poor start in AEW, he's found himself doing some brilliant work. My favourite part of the match was Jay White teasing doing the sweet chin music to noted Bret Hart fanatic. Just a small sample of a brilliant performance. ****1/4