NJPW G1 Climax 1996 - Day 1 - 02/08/1996

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title / NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title J-Crown Tournament First Round Match: Masayoshi Motegi (c) vs. The Great Sasuke (c)

Motegi sported a beard which I thought was an improvement just like his performance. He is growing on me in these small appearances that he has. The match was underwhelming though, but it’s mostly because Great Sasuke is really bland and boring in any role that isn’t being a human highlight reel. Plus the crowd is clearly here for the real stars and these indie junior heavyweights just aren’t it unless they are kicking out of things. Sasuke wins in the end with a few moves which didn’t help the match structure feel whole. **1/2 

WAR International Junior Heavyweight Title / MPW British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Title J-Crown Tournament First Round Match: Jushin Thunder Liger (c) vs. Ultimo Dragon (c)

This was probably a huge shock at the time but it will be soon revealed that Liger is having surgery to remove his tumour so this was a good way to get the eventual finalist momentum and ease his own load before such a procedure. The match was quick and executed well. Only 3 minutes and it was a good 3 minutes at - tons of roll ups and dives from Ultimo to knock Liger loopy before he caught him over with an arm-trapped cradle. **3/4

G1 Climax 1996 Block B Match: Satoshi Kojima vs. Masahiro Chono

I thought this was a strong opening match to the G1 and I put the praise mainly on Chono who proved himself quite capable technically. He was a Lou Thesz student afterall. He was able to get a lot of mileage, compelling mileage, out of a wrist and hammerlock. Kojima didn’t always hold up his end but he’s a rough diamond and his time as a great wrestler will come gradually. The closing stretch produced some good spots, a few flubs but I thought it was a good end to a good match. ***1/4

G1 Climax 1996 Block A Match: Kensuke Sasaki vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan- NJPW G1 Climax 1996 - Day 1 - 02/08/1996

This was exactly the type of match I expected from these two. Not much moves or intricate sequences, a little working on the arm for Sasaki that would come into the finish later on, but there were tons of strikes that were very stiff and it was intense to watch from both of them. It was a little awkward but the just right amount of awkwardness, in a certain way. I enjoyed this a lot. Add a little more to it, a little more main event credibility and a stronger closing stretch would’ve made it a great match (maybe we’ll see that in 1997….). ***1/4

G1 Climax 1996 Block B Match: Keiji Muto vs. Kazuo Yamazaki

I liked this a lot. I love a cagey affair. It brought out the technical side of Mutoh that is probably his best, when he’s in the mood, and Yamazaki is the perfect dance partner for that. At one point, Mutoh was teasing working for the fujiwara only for him to stomp on Yamazaki’s other hand, which is on the floor attempting to keep him up. And then continues the stomping throughout when he needs an advantage. Yamazaki was always a danger which was shown throughout. Mutoh seemed to have him when he applied the figure four and set up for the moonsault but Yamazaki caught Mutoh dead to rights when he applied the cross armbreaker and Mutoh had to tap quickly to save his G1. Such a smart, quality bout. ***3/4

G1 Climax 1996 Block A Match: Shinya Hashimoto vs. Riki Choshu

This match obviously has a reputation and a big one. I didn't think that its one of the better matches in New Japan history but it's a stormer of a match and is soundly great. The two have a knack of crafting that battle feel. The first lock up captured it right away and it remained throughout. The match had strong momentum changes where Choshu would be roughing Hashimoto up in a corner before Hashimoto blasts him with a chop to get the advantage and vice versa. I love how it was executed. Choshu seemed in trouble once Hashimoto began throwing some forceful kicks, like truly nasty that legit sent Choshu crashing to the ground, but Hashimoto injured his knee at one point and Choshu pounced on it before finishing off Hashimoto with his many, many lariats. Hashimoto would refuse to go down, fighting against the impact in such a way that he didn't need to take the bump to sell the move. Choshu took that to hit more and it was a wise tactic since he came out the winner. Legendary finish. ****1/2