NJPW G1 Climax 1997 - Day 2 - 02/08/1997
G1 Climax 1997 Second Round Match: Kensuke Sasaki vs. Marcus Bagwell
The performances were a little disconnected from each other which may sound a bad match, but Bagwell’s posing and american-isms provided some comedy that the crowd enjoyed laughing at, so the match wasn’t a total loss. But it was far from a Sasaki showcase for the ages, which isn’t a good booking choice considering the results of the tournament. This also went a little too long. **1/2
G1 Climax 1997 Second Round Match: Satoshi Kojima vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Interestingly, Satoshi Kojima proved his loyalty to New Japan by tearing an NWO t-shirt likely given to him by Tenzan prior to the match. The match was about as physical as always, in fact it was so physical that Kojima had to be stretched to the back following a crippling moonsault by Tenzan. The drama was heightened by the crowd and a bigger sense of rivalry and hate between the two foes. Good match. ***1/4
G1 Climax 1997 Second Round Match: Great Muta vs. Scott Norton
Great Muta is nothing if not interesting. The civil war aspect give a bit more intrigue to this but this only had isolated moments of quality, mainly Muta spitting mist into Norton’s eyes. **1/2
G1 Climax 1997 Second Round Match: Shinya Hashimoto vs. Masahiro Chono
Chono came into the match with a severe injury, but of course he’s carrying on. Chono attacks Hashimoto quickly and early to try to gain an advantage but Hashimoto is a tough man and rallies. The crowd shockingly favours Chono though as Hashimoto ruthlessly kicks the knee. There are some hiding with the NWO guys attacking New Japan guys, but this is largely wrestled in the ring with Chono being unafraid to work his usual speed, doing some really great work to the body, using headbutts and punches. Hashimoto makes his journey to victory with a brutal brainbuster before he submits Chono with an awkward leg lock, targeting the ankle. The NWO attacks him but it gets broken up. A good match hurt by the obvious, but it being this good despite that is a positive for both guys. ***1/2
NJPW G1 Climax 1997 - Day 3 - 03/08/1997
Great Muta vs Lord Steven Regal
This looks to be a good technical match with great emphasis on wristlocks and arm holds but it never goes anywhere because Muta mists Regal in the face and wins. **1/2
G1 Climax 1997 Semi Final Match: Shinya Hashimoto vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Far and away the best match of the G1 so far. This followed up nicely from the Chono match. It also sets up Tenzan for a glorious G1 Final win, or you’d hope. It was comparative, it flowed, the drama was high with the crowd behind Tenzan and it paid off with a shock win. I love Chono interfering because it showed the NWO as rule breakers but it was also very minimal as to not detract from the result. Both looked great. ****
G1 Climax 1997 Semi Final Match: Kensuke Sasaki vs. Scott Norton
A fun and compact match between two brutes who do nothing but stiff and wack each other for less than 10 minutes. It hit the sweet spot among a very dull and uneventful tournament. ***1/4
G1 Climax 1997 Final Match: Kensuke Sasaki vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan
I could go crazy by criticising the result because Tenzan was the right winner for this match and its probbal;y the first big ding against Choshu has a booker, but the match was too awesome not to love. Both Tenzan and Sasaki work in compact settings and this was just that. The crowd truly gravitated to it being the first sign of the next generation stepping up; a fresh outcome was guaranteed here. Tenzan came in with a bloody mouth from the Hashimoto match and it ended up even worse by the end, summing up the sort of match it was. Both went crazy with the strikes and bombs, it felt like a fight to the finish, bringing a thrilling conclusion to a dire tournament. ****
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