{"id":104776,"date":"2020-09-20T19:58:55","date_gmt":"2020-09-21T00:58:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=104776"},"modified":"2020-09-20T19:58:55","modified_gmt":"2020-09-21T00:58:55","slug":"9-20-new-japan-g1-climax-report-night-2-b-block-naito-vs-tanahashi-yoshi-hashi-vs-juice-robinson-sanada-vs-yano-kenta-vs-goto-evil-vs-zsj-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2020\/09\/20\/9-20-new-japan-g1-climax-report-night-2-b-block-naito-vs-tanahashi-yoshi-hashi-vs-juice-robinson-sanada-vs-yano-kenta-vs-goto-evil-vs-zsj-more\/","title":{"rendered":"9\/20 NEW JAPAN G1 CLIMAX REPORT \u2013 NIGHT 2 (B Block): Naito vs. Tanahashi, Yoshi-Hashi vs. Juice Robinson, Sanada vs. Yano, Kenta vs. Goto, Evil vs. ZSJ, more"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-2388187788\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><h3>NEW JAPAN G1 CLIMAX &#8211; DAY 2 (B Block)<br \/>\nSEPTEMBER 20, 2020<br \/>\nOSAKA, JAPAN AT EDION ARENA AT OSAKA PREFECTURAL GYM<br \/>\nAIRED LIVE ON NJPWWORLD.COM<br \/>\nREPORT BY RICH FANN, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR<\/h3>\n<p><strong>(1) Yota Tsuji vs. Gabriel Kidd<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The show kicked off with a Young Lion battle that was short and sweet. Kidd has been focused on living up to the challenge of NJ USA dojo trainer Shibata and Tsuji the respect\/honor of the mainland trainees. Tsuji got the win via a late Boston Crab on Kidd.<\/p>\n<p>WINNER: Yota Tsuji by submission (Boston Crab) in 9:15 (**)<\/p>\n<p><em>(Fann\u2019s Analysis: Solid open, and it\u2019s clear that Kidd took the chastisement from Shibata to heart &#8211; and is focused on making these opener matches akin to the \u201cC block\u201d of 2 years ago.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>(2) YOSHI-HASHI vs. Juice Robinson &#8211; Block B Match<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This next match was a battle of the returning Juice Robinson, who came in looking like the Brooklyn Brawler gear-wise, and YOSHI-HASHI IWGP 6-man Tag Champ, with belt to boot. The end came for YOSHI-HASHI after a Karma attempt was blocked and Juice nailed a hard right and his Pulp Friction to get 2 points in block B.<\/p>\n<p>WINNER: Juice Robinson by pinfall on YOSHI-HASHI (Pulp Friction) in 15:57 (**1\/2)<\/p>\n<p><em>(Fann\u2019s Analysis: Robinson noted going into the tournament that he wasn\u2019t sure of the crowd energy and how that would affect his wrestling, and it seemed both were on the money today. The crowd was completely into Juice and his \u201cWe Will Rock You\u201d stomps, to the point he yelled \u201cagain\u201d in Japanese prior to a continued beat down of YOSHI-HASHI, which they obliged. With his return to the G-1, YOSHI-HASHI was figured to be a struggler in the tournament, but my hope is 6-8 points for his &#8211; and my friend Chris\u2019 &#8211; sake.)<\/em><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-352088444\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><strong>(3) SANADA vs. Toru Yano &#8211; Block B Match<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The match was your traditional comedy G-1 match with Yano, which started with the master thief\u2019s usage of the cleaning spray to \u201cclean\u201d the ref. SANADA thought that a Paradise Lock on the outside would get him a win. However, one of the young lions at ringside rolled Yano over &#8211; and once Yano was free the king of cheats taped SANADA to said lion and gleefully sprinted back to the ring in time to get the win.<\/p>\n<p>WINNER: Toru Yano by count out in 6:16 (*)<\/p>\n<p><em>(Fann\u2019s Analysis: Typically, I would be beside myself with the result of this match &#8211; as I am of the opinion that SANADA will have a great G-1 this year. However, this loss to Yano made sense, as it was a direct payback from last year\u2019s match between the two, where SANADA used the Paradise Lock and tape to get the count out. Instead, a more-honest-than-needed young lion thwarted SANADA\u2019s plans.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>(4) KENTA vs. Hirooki Goto &#8211; Block B Match<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Goto spent most of the match trying to avoid KENTA\u2019s focus on the arm by in turn putting focus on KENTA\u2019s arm as well. KENTA was the more vicious of the two however, and got the win with his Game Over submission after a hellacious shotgun dropkick<\/p>\n<p>WINNER: KENTA by submission (Game Over) in 17:15 (***1\/2)<\/p>\n<p><em>(Fann\u2019s Analysis: Li\u2019l K is one of my favorites in this tournament not only because of his G-1 29, but because of his social media interaction since his heel turn in 2019. To wit, prior to this match, KENTA called he would win his match with Game Over, because he\u2019d done the same to win NOAH\u2019s GHC title in the same venue. That\u2019s a level of smug one aspires to. Goto was his usual G-1 self, and acquitted himself well.)<\/em><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3375311068\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><strong>(5) Zack Sabre Jr. vs. EVIL &#8211; Block B Match<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The story of this match was ZSJ in the role of babyface(??) while EVIL beat upon the smaller man. ZSJ was not without his own offense however, as EVIL\u2019s arm and neck area were the submission master\u2019s focus. Late in the match Dick Togo attempted to interfere, but when EVIL went to hit Everything is EVIL, Zack snuck a European Clutch in to steal the win and escape the ring.<\/p>\n<p>WINNER: ZSJ by pinfall (European Clutch) in 15:54 (***1\/2)<\/p>\n<p><em>(Fann\u2019s Analysis: As I mentioned during the round table preview of the G-1 Climax 30, EVIL needed to rehabilitate himself after that IWGP Double Title run and this match was a good start. Dick Togo\u2019s interference late was expected, but his match made more sense &#8211; it was more of a match worthy of the G-1 instead of the slogs that EVIL had as champion. Zack Sabre Jr. played face in peril &#8211; despite being a heel &#8211; quite well.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>(6) Tetsuya Naito vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi &#8211; Block B Match<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Main event time.<\/p>\n<p>Naito and Tanahashi had a great match, whose focus was the battle of Naito\u2019s knees being wrecked by Tanahashi. Tanahashi even had a great call-back in the middle of the match when he used the Texas Clover Hold on Naito &#8211; which he\u2019d famously used to win the Intercontinental Title a few years back. Tanahashi flew too close to the sun with a High Fly Flow that Naito moved away at the last moment from. After Tanahashi was downed, Naito pressed the advantage &#8211; and two Destino\u2019s sandwiched between Gloria and Naito had the win.<\/p>\n<p>Post match, Naito thanked the fans and closed the show out with his usual roll call.<\/p>\n<p>WINNER: Tetsuya Naito by pinfall (Destino) in 27:16 (****)<\/p>\n<p><em>(Fann\u2019s Analysis: Naito and Tanahashi, even with a smaller crowd gave a big match feel. The time limit came into play late with the announcement of time left vs. time passed and the possibility of a tie loomed. While I think Tanahashi will acquit himself well in this G-1, but he\u2019s definitely due for a veteran\u2019s 8-10, not near top of the block.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Overall Thoughts (8.5):<\/strong> Great crowd reactions, wrestling was top notch and while this has been seen as the \u201cother block\u201d compared to the heights expected in A block from a quality standpoint, tonight\u2019s show illustrated that B block is going to be able to provide some quality, even among the comedy and gaga.<\/p>\n<p><em>Contact Rich at PWTDive@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com\/rich_fann.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>CATCH UP:<\/strong> 9\/19 NEW JAPAN G1 CLIMAX REPORT \u2013 NIGHT 1 (A Block): Okada vs. Ibushi, Ospreay vs. Takahashi, Cobb vs. Taichi, White vs. Takagi, Suzuki vs. Iishi<\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-3021998148\"><div id=\"pwtor-3544653520\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>NEW JAPAN G1 CLIMAX &#8211; DAY 2 (B Block) SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 OSAKA, JAPAN AT EDION ARENA AT OSAKA PREFECTURAL GYM AIRED LIVE ON NJPWWORLD.COM REPORT BY RICH FANN, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR (1) Yota Tsuji vs. <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2020\/09\/20\/9-20-new-japan-g1-climax-report-night-2-b-block-naito-vs-tanahashi-yoshi-hashi-vs-juice-robinson-sanada-vs-yano-kenta-vs-goto-evil-vs-zsj-more\/\" title=\"9\/20 NEW JAPAN G1 CLIMAX REPORT \u2013 NIGHT 2 (B Block): Naito vs. Tanahashi, Yoshi-Hashi vs. Juice Robinson, Sanada vs. Yano, Kenta vs. Goto, Evil vs. ZSJ, more\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":102314,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,9,14,5610,542],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-104776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tvshowsandevents","category-results","category-results_japanliveevents","category-njpwg1","category-new-japan-ppvs"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2020\/08\/IMG_4950.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104776"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104776\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":104777,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104776\/revisions\/104777"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/102314"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=104776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=104776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}