By Sean Radican, Torch columnist

RADICAN'S NJPW REVIEW SERIES
G1 CLIMAX 24: NIGHT 2
JULY 23, 2014
AOMORI, JAPAN
BY SEAN RADICAN, TORCH COLUMNIST

(1) Satoshi Kojima vs. Tomohiro Ishii in a G1 Climax A Block match. The crowd was hot at the start as they began exchanging blows in the middle of the ring. Kojima got the upper hand on the outside and hit a big DDT on the apron. The crowd was red hot and fired up for a big exchange of chops and strikes I'm the middle of the ring a short time later. Ishii hit a chop to the throat that slowed Kojima. They went up too and Ishii hit a delayed vertical superplex and the fans popped huge. The fans chanted for Kojima, who fired back and hit an ace crusher that left both men down. They went back up top and Kojima hit an ace crusher off the second turnbuckle, but Ishii kicked out at the last second. Ishii fired back and hit a huge powerbomb for a 2 count. Kojima blocked a lariat and hit another ace crusher. They went to another big exchange and Kojima hit a big lariat to the back of Ishii's head that left both men down. Kojima simply could not put Ishii away. Ishii fired back with a flurry of stokes capped by a huge clothesline. He finally finished off Kojima with a high-angle brain buster for the win. Wow!

Winner: Tomohiro Ishii

Star rating: (***3/4) - this was a fantastic opening match with Ishii refusing to stay down despite absorbing a ton of punishment from Kojima. This match featured incredible hard-hitting action.

(2) Shelton Benjamin vs. IC Champion Bad Luck Fale in an s G1 Climax A Block match. Fale dominated with his power early, but Benjamin fired back and went to work on Fale's leg. Benjamin ducked a thumb to the throat and hit a Rock bottom that left both men down on the mat. Benjamin escaped the bad luck fall and hit a superkick followed by paydirt for the win.

Winner: Shelton Benjamin

Star rating: (**1/2) - This was a good physical match with Benjamin being unable to overpower Fale, but in the end he was able to do just enough to hit his finish.

(3) Hirooki Goto vs. Champion NEVER Openweight Champion Yujiro Takahashi in a G1 Climax B Block match. Takahashi took control on the outside early and Goto barely beat the 20 count. Takahashi finally ate huge clothesline from Goto, BJ ended up raking his eyes a short time later before eventually getting the upper hand. They went to a huge exchange off the ropes and the fans fired up after Goto connected with a neck breaker over his knee. Takahashi sent Goto neck-first over the top rope and followed up with a clothesline for a near fall. Goto blocked a buckle bomb attempt and they went to a big strike exchange. Takahashi eventually hit a German with a bridge for a near fall and the fans fired up. Goto blocked Takahashi's finisher and wiped him out with a clothesline for a near fall. Takahashi then hit the hellavator for the win.

Winner: Hirooki Goto

Star rating: (***1/2) - fantastic match with the crowd red hot for Goto down the stretch. Takahashi took short cuts constantly throughout the match. They had some good near falls down the stretch leading into to finish.

(4) Tetsuya Naito vs. Lance Archer in a G1 Climax B Block match. Archer got the upper hand after sweeping Naito’s legs out from under him so that his head connected with the top of the turnbuckle pad. Archer dominated Naito with his power for a long period of time. The crowd tried to rally behind Naito, but he ate a huge charge in the corner from Archer. Naito finally managed to roll out of the way of a running splash from Archer. He nailed Archer with an elbow as he came off the ropes and followed up with a sick kick and a running senton. Naito continued to run wild on Archer and he went up top and connected with a missile dropkick for a 2 count. Archer eventually cut off Naito by blocking a running kick and sweeping his leg out from under him. Naito fired back and hit a scorpion death drop and went for a phoenix splash, but Archer got out of the way. Naito grabbed his leg after falling to the mat. Archer caught Naito coming off the ropes a short time later and eventually connected with a big German suplex. He then hit a big choke slam, but Naito kicked out at the last second. Naito countered a dragon suplex and rolled up Archer for the win.

Winner: Tetsuya Naito

Star rating: (**3/4) – This was a good match with Naito fighting from underneath the entire time. The crowd was hot for Naito and the action was solid, although they told an incomplete story with Archer going after Naito’s leg at times, but ultimately it didn’t play into the end of the match.

(5) Yuji Nagata vs. Tomoaki Honma in a G1 Climax A Block match. Nagata nailed Honma with a big slap and he looked surprised. Honma fired back a short time later and returned the favor. Honma went for a running headbutt, but Nagata got out of the way. Honma went for another diving headbutt a short time later, but Nagata got out of the way once again. Nagata hit a big running knee that really seemed to hurt Honma. He made the cover, but Honma managed to get his foot on the ropes. Nagata continued to target Honma’s mid-section for a long period of time. Honma ate a series of kicks and fired up. Nagata went for a suplex, but Honma blocked it and dead-lifted Nagata into a vertical suplex. The fans applauded as Honma went on the attack. Honma finally connected with a running headbutt and the fans applauded. Honma grabbed a single leg crab in the middle of the ring a short time later. Nagata struggled, but managed to get the ropes. Nagata countered Honma a short time later and grabbed an arm submission. He pulled back on Honma’s arm as his eyes rolled back into his head. Honma struggled, but managed to get the ropes and the fans applauded.

Nagata went for a Saito suplex, but Honma landed on top him. Nagata went for a running knee in the corner a short time later, but Honma blocked it and hit a powerbomb followed by a brainbuster for a near fall and the fans fired up. Honma went up top and the fans began clapping in unison. He went for a diving headbutt off the top, but Nagata rolled out of the way. Honma has about as much chance of his headbutt connecting as the WWE Champion has of winning a Four-Way match. They began exchanging strikes in the middle of the ring a short time later. Honma hit several forearms, but Nagata screamed and returned fire with a slap. They continued to exchange blow in the middle of the ring. Honma ducked a clothesline and got a pinning combination for a nearfall. Nagata fired right back with a German, but Honma got right to his feet. Nagata hit a big kick to the head followed by a brainbuster for a near fall and the fans gasped. Nagata signaled for the ring and hit a Saito suplex with a bridge for the win.

Winner:Yuji Nagata

Star rating: (***3/4) – This was a hot match with the crowd firmly behind Honma in the underdog role. They had some great exchanges and Nagata did a heck of a job working over Honma’s chest and arm during the match. I loved Nagata’s facials when he grabbed the arm bar. Honma continues to have really good performances despite losing.

(6) Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr. in a G1 Climax A Block match. After some back and forth exchanges, Nakamura hit a jumping knee strike to Smith’s throat and posed on top of him. Smith countered Nakamura a short time later and nailed him with a big clothesline. He then sent Nakamura flying off the apron into the guardrail with a running forearm. Smith methodically worked over Nakamura inside the ring for a long period of time. He connected with a big belly-to-belly suplex, but Nakamura managed to kick out. Nakamura showed some signs of life and nailed Smith with several kicks and an enzuguri. He then did his signature boot choke in the corner and the fans fired up. Nakamura connected with his signature running knee in the corner a short time later for a 2 count and the fans applauded. Nakamura went off the ropes, but Smith caught him with a power slam and both men were down.

Both men got up and exchanged blows in the middle of the ring. Smith hit a big knee to Nakamura’s gut to drop him and he followed up with a double under hook suplex for a near fall. Smith hit Nakamura with a suplex and held on for another, but Nakamura nailed him with a kick to the head and followed up with a running boot. He hit a suplex on Smith and set up his signature kick, but Smith got out of the way and nailed with a huge clothesline for a 2 count. Smith hit a high angle suplex, but Nakamura kicked out once again. Nakamura blocked a double under hook attempt and hit a back cracker. He then transitioned around Smith on the mat and went for a cross-arm breaker, but Smith held his hands together. Nakamura continued to try to get the hold, but Smith rolled on top of him. Nakamura got a triangle and Smith tried to shove the ref away. He eventually lifted Nakamura and slammed him to the mat to break the hold. That was a great exchange there. Smith got up and hit a double under hook suplex, but Nakamura kicked out at the last second. Smith sold anger on his face and set up for a big powerbomb, but Nakamura fought out of it. Nakamura hit a dropkick off the second turnbuckle and connected with a running kick to Smith’s head, but he kicked out at the last second. Nakamura then followed up with the Boma Ye kick for the win.

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

Star rating: (***1/2) – The match started slowly with Smith in control dominated the action with his power and size. Once Nakamura made his comeback, the second half of the match was fantastic. They had a great sequence where Nakamura went for an arm-bar and Smith fought it before Nakamura eventually countered it into a triangle. Smith then escaped the hold by slamming Nakamura to the mat. They also had some good near falls late and the crowd ate up the finish. Nakamura has so much charisma and he’s a blast to watch in the ring.

(7) Toru Yano vs. IWGP Hvt. Champion A.J. Styles in a G1 Climax B Block match. Yano laughed at Styles and spit water in the face once he got into the ring. Yano asked for a handshake and the fans applauded. Styles blew him off and nailed Yano with a huge forearm. Yano’s expressions when he’s being a jerk are priceless. He’s like a big kid that knows he’s doing something wrong, but he’s enjoying it anyway. Styles lit up Yano with a series of strikes capped with a big clothesline and Yano crumpled to the mat. Yano tried to fire back with an eye rake, but Styles nailed him with his signature dropkick. Styles followed up with a dropkick through the ropes and told the ref to shut up. Styles worked a last chancery and then switched the hold so that both men were sitting upright. Yano struggled for a long time before finally grabbing the ropes to break the hold. Yano no-sold Styles slamming him head-first into the corner. He then undid the padding with the ref distracted. Styles charged at him in the corner, but ended up eating the exposed turnbuckles. Yano went after Styles with a chair, but styles ducked and hit a basement dropkick. Styles charged at Yano again a short time later, but Yano ducked and shoved him into the exposed turnbuckles again, which was good for a near fall. Styles countered Yano and suplexed him into the exposed turnbuckles and Yano rolled to the floor. Yano ducked a dropkick through the ropes and tossed his chair at Styles. The fans applauded as Yano rolled into the ring and laughed. The ref began counting, but Styles recovered and tried to get back into the ring.

Yano cut him off on the apron, but Styles snapped his neck over the top rope and followed up with a springboard forearm for a 2 count. Styles followed up with a northern lights suplex for a near fall. Yano caught Styles and hit an atomic drop. He then catapulted Styles into the exposed turnbuckles and hit a powerbomb for a near fall. Yano shoved Styles towards the ref and hit a low blow with the ref distracted. He tried to get a dirty pinning combination, but Styles managed to catch out at the last second. Styles then countered Yano a short time later and hit the Styles clash for the win.

Winner: A.J. Styles

Star rating: (***) – This match was much better than I was expecting. Yano certainly is charming in the way he cheats and he was fantastic in this match. I really like how he went for another dirty win against Styles, which worked for him on night 1 of the tournament.

(8) Kazuchika Okada (w/Gedo) vs. Hiroyoshi Tenzan in a G1 Climax B Block match. Okada teased hitting Tenzan with his signature double chop, but stopped short and did his pose. Tenzan hit a shoulder tackle and did Okada’s pose before connecting with several double chops. The crowd seemed split between Okada and Tenzan. The action spilled to the outside and Okada eventually fired back with a DDT on the floor. Okada slowed the pace and tried to wear down Tenzan, but he continued to kick out at 1. Tenzan finally fired back and caught Okada with a spinning kick to the head off the ropes. The fans fired up as Tenzan sold intensity. Okada got to his feet and ate several double chops. They went to a big strike exchange, but Tenzan caught Okada with a DVD variation off the ropes. Tenzan went for a charge in the corner, but Okada caught him and hit a variation of the kryptonite crunch. Okada then went up top and hit a big elbow off the top. He signaled for the rainmaker, but Tenzan countered it with a pair of headbutts. Tenzan then hit a slam where it looked like he was spiking Okada head-first, which was good for a 2 count. He followed up with the Anaconda vice, but Okada powered up to his feet. Tenzan held on and eventually slammed Okada to the mat while holding the anaconda vice for a 2 count.

Tenzan went up top and connected with a diving headbutt. Ugh, I wish these guys wouldn’t do that. It was good for a 2 count. The fans fired up as they sensed Tenzan gaining momentum. Tenzan slammed Okada and went up top again. He went for a moonsault, but Okada rolled out of the way. Okada got up and hit a big running boot to Tenzan’s head. Tenzan blocked a tombstone attempt, but Okada caught him with a big dropkick off the ropes. Tenzan ducked another rainmaker attempt and nailed Okada with a huge lariat that left both men down on the mat. Tenzan went for a uranagi, but Okada blocked it. Tenzan connected with several double chops, but Okada fired back and nailed him with a dropkick. He then connected with the tombstone. Okada did his pose and connected with a big rainmaker for the win.

Winner: Kazuchika Okada

Star rating: (***1/2) – This was a very good match. It started slowly, but the action picked up late with some good physical action. Okada made Tenzan look really good here, as he was on the verge of winning and Okada was unable to connect with the rainmaker until hitting at the end of the match.

(9) Karl Anderson vs. Togi Makabe in a G1 Climax Block B match. They went right at it and Anderson caught Makabe with a short right that dropped him early in the contest. The action spilled to the floor with Anderson dominating the action. Anderson rolled into the ring and Makabe was able to beat the ref’s count. The fans chanted for Makabe and Anderson mocked their chant a short time later. Anderson hit a big chop on Makabe and he smiled at him and told him to bring it. Anderson followed up with a chop to the face that grounded Makabe. Makabe went for a lariat and Anderson ducked, but walked right into a lariat from Makabe, who went on the attack with a series of clotheslines in the corner. Anderson fired back a short time later and caught Makabe with a spinebuster as he came off the ropes. Anderson hit a TKO a short time later, but Makabe kicked out at the last second. Makabe mounted a comeback and hit a powerbomb on Anderson for a 2 count. He went up top, but Anderson nailed him with a running kick. Anderson hit a TKO off the second turnbuckle, but Makabe kicked out at the last second and the fans applauded. Anderson signaled for the finish, but Makabe countered him and nailed him with a splash in the corner. Makabe placed Anderson up top and went for a German. Anderson tried to fight him off, but Makabe held on and nailed him with a German off the top. He then followed up with a flying knee to Anderson’s chest for the win.

Winner: Togi Makabe

Star rating: (***1/4) – This was a good physical battle that just seemed to be getting going when it ended. They really picked up the intensity late with a good near fall after Anderson’s TKO off the turnbuckles. The crowd was really into Makabe and he comes across as a legitimate threat in this tournament the way he carries himself, despite taking the loss on night 1 to Goto.

(10) IWGP Hvt. Tag Team Champion Doc Gallows vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi in a G1 Climax A Block match. The fans chanted for Tanahashi before he locked up with Gallows. The crowd booed as Gallows went after Tanahashi’s beautiful hair. Tanahashi fired back, but Gallows went after his hair again. Gallows wanted a test of strength and he mocked Tanahashi calling him a little guy. Tanahashi got up on the turnbuckles and challenged Gallows to a test of strength. The action picked up a short time later as Gallows hit a big slam and tossed Tanahashi to the floor. He nailed Tanahashi with a running boot that sent him flipping over the guardrail. The crowd booed after he hit Tanahashi with a chair shot to the back on the floor. Tanahashi nearly got a count out win as he popped up and dragged Gallows to the floor before jumping into the ring. Gallows managed to get back into the ring at the last second to beat the 20 count. Gallows continued to dominate the action for a long period of time, but Tanahashi managed to get his knees up when Gallows went for a splash.

Tanahashi ran wild on Gallows, but could not lift him for a big maneuver. Gallows fired back and hit a double hand chokeslam after a big strike exchange that left both men down on the mat. The fans fired up and chanted for Tanahashi. Gallows lifted Tanahashi and nailed him with a back breaker, but it wasn’t good enough for the pin. Gallows connected with a pair of big kicks that floored Tanahashi, but he kicked out once again at 2. Gallows yelled at the fans, who booed. He taunted Tanahashi and told him to get up. Tanahashi skinned the cat with Gallows posing for the fans and eventually connected with a spinning clothesline. Tanahashi connected with another spinning clothesline and went up top. He connected with high fly flow to Gallows’s back. He flipped Gallows over and hit high fly flow again for the win.

The fans chanted for Tanahashi after the match and he teased leaving the ring, but got back in the ring. The fans applauded and Tanahashi got on the mic. They really enjoyed what he had to say. The fans clapped and chanted for Tanahashi, who began playing air guitar. Tanahashi then did a guitar solo and bumped hitting a high note. The fans applauded as he stayed down on the mat. Tanahashi then got up and began playing his air guitar again. He then smashed his guitar and kicked it out of the ring. That was awesome. He even cleared the extra imaginary debris. Apparently he had a spare air guitar and he began playing another song much to the delight of the fans. This is amazing. Tanahashi got back on the mic and the fans roared with each word he said.

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi

Star rating: (***1/4) – This was a good main event. The crowd was way into Tanahashi, who took a long beating from Gallows and made several comebacks before getting the win in the end.

Overall thoughts: (7.5) – If this was the weakest lineup of G1 Climax 24, it sure delivered an entertaining card. There weren’t any matches that blew me away, but the action up and down the card was very good and there was enough variation in the matches that the show flowed nicely together leading into the main event.

The show started with one of the best matches featured on the card. Kojima-Ishii had a fantastic war in the ring with Ishii refusing to stay down and eventually getting the win. The fans were really hot for this match and Ishii was able to overcome Kojima and pick up 2 points in the tournament.

The show featured a series of matches that were all in the three star range. What I like about the tournament is that it seems to be wide open, although several wrestlers including Okada, Goto, and Shibata have been particularly impressive. Honma, despite taking two losses and not picking up any points seems to be the underdog of the tournament. He’s had back-to-back impressive performances despite losing and the fans have really been into him both nights. The tournament is wide open at this point, so it’s too early to make any definitive statements about the favorites at this time.

The show closed with a series of good matches. Makabe has really stood out and he stole the show on the first night with Goto and had a very good, albeit short match with Anderson that saw him pick up the win. I really like Makabe’s intensity and how he comes across as a legit tough guy.

The end of night 2 mirrored night 1. Last night it was Okada standing tall and cutting a promo to end the show where he promised to win G1 and regain the IWGP Hvt. Title. Tanahashi was simply awesome after beating Gallows in the main event of night 2. I have no idea what he was saying on the mic, but his multiple-session air guitar solo gimmick was incredible to watch and the fans were really hot for him to close the show.

This was a strong show. It certainly wasn’t nearly as good as night 1, but it’s still well-worth checking out if you have the time given the quality of action up and down the card and a red hot crowd that was came across hotter than the night 1 crowd. That’s not to say the night 1 crowd wasn’t hot, but this was a fantastic crowd from start to finish.

You can purchase NJPW “G1 Climax 24: Night 2” on Ustream by clicking HERE

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