Had to delay because of work, plus travelling but it’s time to finish time G1!
G1 Climax 1996 Block B Match: Satoshi Kojima vs. Shiro Koshinaka
A hot match. Maybe the best Kojima match since his return. Koshinaka controls most of the match with holds to slow Kojima down but Kojima powers through with strikes. Koshinaka stubbornly tries to fight back with similar tactics but loses his edge as a result. And the closing stretch was back and forth and could’ve gone either way and came down to a reversed inside cradle by Kojima. ***1/2
G1 Climax 1996 Block A Match: Kensuke Sasaki vs. Shinya Hashimoto
The story of Hashimoto’s G1 continues here. Hashimoto’s knee has gotten progressively worse and Sasaki wastes no time in making it the worst it can be. Hashimoto is immediately on the backfoot and gets little offence during the early exchanges. His selling is excellent in this part but gets stronger as Hashimoto starts to get a little more here and there. Hardly anything he does retains his usual range of skill and control, it’s all done with vulnerability and desperation, which makes it easy for Sasaki to cut off. The finish is similar to the Choshu/Hashimoto match. Sasaki is hitting lariat after lariat with Hashimoto not going down, spitting in his face as he does it until one final lariat knocks Hashimoto backwards into the ropes with enough momentum for Sasaki to hit a seoi-nage, albeit a rough one, for the 3 count. A great recovery match for Sasaki after being bested by his mentor. And a terrific performance by Hashimoto. ****
G1 Climax 1996 Block B Match: Keiji Muto vs. Masahiro Chono
This had a wicked fast start with Muto hitting a dropkick before almost getting caught with an STF by Chono and that being followed up by a dragon screw and a figure four attempt by Muto, setting up what this match was intending to be. Parity is established further on with both having success with side headlocks and other wear down moves and both having trouble catching the other out once they try to add a little pace to it. They did a great job at getting drama out of simple holds, such as a standard switch around spot where Muto had a full nelson applied and Chono used a classic trick to escape and apply one of his own but rather than Muto escape quickly, Chono kept it locked in. A small but effective way to add to a move’s significance. The match progresses in such a way that keeps the technical wrestling involved but establishes more layers, such as Chono using dirty tricks to gain an advantage over Muto after Muto looks to be getting ahead. The match has a terrific transition to the final portion of the match with Muto setting up for a frankensteiner only for Chono to powerbomb Muto on his head and lock in an STF for an incredible false finish. There is a cool subtle heel moment where Chono gets the STF on Muto on the outside and goes back inside, showing his willingness to win the match in a cheap way like a count out but Muto makes it back in to the crowd relief. Then they fight to the crowd where Muto runs into the entrance way and back, likely to hit a running lariat, but Chono kicks him in the stomach and winds Muto. Muto finally hit the frankensteiner but missed the moonsault! STF is applied but Muto gets the ropes after a moment. Chono tries to follow up with the kick but gets the dragon screw instead. Muto hits the moonsault but has his knee kicked out from under him by Chono in a piece of genius from Chono and rolled up to lose the match. Chono advances!!! Incredible match. Terrific escalation from the grappling to the closing stretch. Great character work from Chono and what a finish. ****1/2
G1 Climax 1996 Final Match: Masahiro Chono vs. Riki Choshu
There are two main stories in the match: Choshu’s last ride and Chono is hurt, tired and vulnerable after working an incredible bout against his main rival while Choshu is fresh without working a match. Choshu takes advantage with his quick start. No waiting around as he hit 3 consecutive suplexes with no reply from Chono. Chono instead goes for the knee which has been given Choshu trouble all G1, similar to Hashimoto, doing cool knee bar before basically doing a STF without the F. Choshu is hurt and in trouble as both Kensuke Sasaki and Tatstumi Fujinami cheer and encourage him to continue on. The closing stretch wasn’t amazing but the heat was off the charts for the match and utilised Choshu’s strengths well. Choshu wins his final G1 after a long scorpion hold, beating the former three time winner. ****
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