{"id":182576,"date":"2024-08-03T10:56:11","date_gmt":"2024-08-03T15:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=182576"},"modified":"2024-08-03T10:56:11","modified_gmt":"2024-08-03T15:56:11","slug":"njpw-g1-climax-34-results-night-9-8-3-fanns-report-and-analysis-on-naito-vs-kidd-umino-vs-sanada-shingo-vs-sabre-jr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2024\/08\/03\/njpw-g1-climax-34-results-night-9-8-3-fanns-report-and-analysis-on-naito-vs-kidd-umino-vs-sanada-shingo-vs-sabre-jr\/","title":{"rendered":"NJPW G1 CLIMAX 34 RESULTS \u2013 NIGHT 9 (8\/3): Fann\u2019s report and analysis on Naito vs. Kidd, Umino vs. Sanada, Shingo vs. Sabre Jr."},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-2208189301\" 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><strong>NJPW G1 CLIMAX 34 &#8211; NIGHT 8 REPORT<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>AUGUST 3, 2024<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>OSAKA, JAPAN IN THE YAMATO ARENA<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>AIRED LIVE ON NJPW WORLD<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>REPORT BY RICH FANN, TORCH COLUMNIST<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><em>Commentator: Walker Stewart solo until G-1 matches; David Finlay joined during G-1 matches<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>UNDERCARD TAG MATCHES<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>(A) Yota Tsuji &amp; Bushi defeated Ren Narita &amp; Yoshinobu Kanemaru<\/p>\n<p>(B) Taka Michinoku &amp; Yuya Uemura defeated El Phantasmo &amp; Jado<\/p>\n<p>(C) Toru Yano &amp; Oleg Boltin defeated David Finlay<\/p>\n<p>(D) Konosuke Takeshita, Henare, Jeff Cobb &amp; Akira defeated Hirooki Goto, Shoma Kato, Tomoaki Honma &amp; Katsuya Murashima<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>G-1 CLIMAX BLOCK A MATCHES<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>(5) CALLUM NEWMAN (4 pts) vs JAKE LEE (2 pts) &#8211; BLOCK A MATCH<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While Newman made his entrance, Walker Stewart expressed surprise that David Finlay joined him for commentary.<\/p>\n<p>Newman opened the match with a lot of energy in his offense, to try and get the crowd into the match. While he did what he could, the crowd remained less than energized. Both men then tried to speed things up, but it was near misses in the best way, of a fight that both men are more worried about landing a kill shot than landing a jab so to speak.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3887195107\" 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>Lee eventually got the advantage outside of the ring, which continued inside. Lee, however, was a silly man and decided to celebrate video game style and gave Newman a chance to recover and fight back into the match.<\/p>\n<p>Newman tried to push the pace again, this time with outside dives and an Oscutter attempt, but Lee hit a choke-slam instead for a near fall.<\/p>\n<p>Lee then hit his Face Break Shot for the win and two points.<\/p>\n<p>Winner: Jake Lee via pinfall in 11:15. ***<\/p>\n<p><em>(Fann\u2019s Thoughts: Jake Lee continued to be a work in progress in his Bullet Club version. Fans in the front row however were enamored with him, heel antics or no. Callum Newman tried his best to bring energy to the match, and was rewarded with a game opponent. I look forward to seeing both men continue their journeys in the G-1 and beyond &#8211; though Jake Lee\u2019s journey in New Japan is far less interesting to me.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>(6) GREAT O-KHAN (2 pts) vs. EVIL W\/DICK TOGO (10 pts) &#8211; BLOCK A MATCH<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This match started with a brawl outside after an Evil sneak attack and devolved into a House of Torture&#x2122; classic &#8211; tons of interference, the referee was bumped several times, and Dick Togo blatantly interfered so much I thought it was a 2-on-1 handicap match. After yet another ref bump and a Magic Killer by Evil &amp; Togo, O-Khan kicked out. Evil continued to push the offense and ran into a complete shot and an Eliminator from Great O-Khan, who snatched victory from the corrupt House of Torture.<\/p>\n<p>Winner: Great O-Khan via pinfall in 16:21. (NR)<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-2187586734\" 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><em>(Fann\u2019s Thoughts: This is the type of match I\u2019ve largely avoided with my mini New Japan hiatus. The outside brawling, the copious interference and referee silliness were a reminder why there needed to be so much new blood in the G-1. My former \u201cdear son Evil\u201d has strayed far, far, far away from the plot. O-Khan I look forward to more time in the sun, as his style and energy are still a treat. Not a good match.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>(7) IWGP World Heavyweight Champion TETSUYA NAITO (4 pts) vs. NJPW Strong Champion GABE KIDD (2 pts) &#8211; BLOCK A MATCH<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Prior to the match beginning, Gabe Kidd continually mocked Naito\u2019s eye opening move, and David Finlay pointed out that Naito was wearing white boots and a black belt, which Finlay said was a fashion faux pas.<\/p>\n<p>Kidd opened the match with the advantage and took his frustration at being the top dog of NJPW Strong against the top dog of NJPW proper but not the main event (per his spokesman David Finlay) and that showed with Kidd\u2019s assault on Naito in ring and out.<\/p>\n<p>Kidd walked and brawled with Naito through the crowd, but Naito chucked that man into the crowd &#8211; who dispersed with alacrity as Kidd flew into about 4-5 rows worth of seats. Kidd then regained the advantage with a slam into the apron of Naito, then spat in Naito\u2019s face. Ugh.<\/p>\n<p>In the ring, after a water break with Finlay, Kidd maintained the advantage. While mounted over Naito, Kidd declared it was his time and rained closed fists into the injured\/degenerative eye of Naito until the ref intervened. Kidd then put Naito in a Boston crab to attempt to win in the same fashion Naito had a few days ago. Naito attempted a Destino out of nowhere which looked terrible but fits the continued story. Naito then hit an Esperanza and Kidd hit a suplex that dropped both men.<\/p>\n<p>Naito then spat in Kidd\u2019s face, to my dismay and nausea. Kidd woke up and tried for a Madman Bomb, but Naito hit a rana to counter. Naito then wailed on Kidd\u2019s head and neck and instead of a Destino, turned it into a roll up for the hilarious win. Kidd was fed up post match and wrecked all of the young lions in attendance.<\/p>\n<p>Winner: Tetsuya Naito via pinfall in 14:08. ****<\/p>\n<p><em>(Fann\u2019s Thoughts: The rumors of Tetsuya Naito\u2019s demise have been slightly exaggerated. This was a fun match, and Gabe Kidd\u2019s continued quest to embarrass and defeat Naito remains fully unfulfilled. Finlay called Kidd \u201call gas no breaks\u201d and if there ever was a wrestler that befit that phrase in word and deed it\u2019s Mr. Kidd. Match of night so far and I\u2019d greatly recommend watching. Please, no more spitting in the G-1. Naito\u2019s story of botching his finish, then him, against his biggest critic on tour turning it into a roll up was so petty as a recovering Nai-bro I had to appreciate the king doing what he does best.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>(8) SANADA (4 pts) vs. SHOTA UMINO (6 pts) &#8211; BLOCK A MATCH<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Both men opened with a flurry, which swapped into a more deliberate style upon their return to the ring. Sanada was posited as facing his \u201cseven evil exes\u201d a la Scott Pilgrim with his former challengers as champion. Finlay noted that in another life, Sanada could\u2019ve been a War Dog.<\/p>\n<p>Umino throughout this first part of the match had pockets of offense, but most of the match was in Sanada\u2019s favor, until a dropkick to the head gave Umino the advantage going into the finish. Sanada tried for a shining wizard, but Shota instead slapped him into an STF until a rope break. Sanada eventually hit the shining wizard, but Umino again countered after and prevented a pin. Umino hit a vicious shot to Sanada\u2019s head, then after Umino ate another shining wizard, hit a DDT for a long two count. Umino then hit the blaze blade, but Sanada reversed into an O\u2019Connor roll for the win.<\/p>\n<p>Post match David Finlay said he would whoop his own dad (\u201che\u2019s 64!\u201d) which I have to note because FIT FINLAY HAS OLD MAN STRENGTH AND WOULD WIN.<\/p>\n<p>Sorry.<\/p>\n<p>WINNER: Sanada by pinfall in 15:58. ****<\/p>\n<p><em>(Fann\u2019s Thoughts: Sneaky Sanada in the G-1 is always fun. I loved him and ZSJ over the years having the options they do as technicians later in the G-1 with the pins and the rolls and fun. Umino has grown and I hope continues to grow in his role.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>(9) SHINGO TAKAGI (4 pts) vs. ZACK SABRE JR. (8 pts) &#8211; BLOCK A MATCH<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Main event time.<\/p>\n<p>This match opened with an intensity some of the prior matches attempted, but this time the crowd was fully with the participants. ZSJ focused on the head and neck with dropkicks and neck cranks, and Shingo went \u201cmuscles go boom\u201d with lariats, strikes and suplexes.<\/p>\n<p>After a prolonged period where ZSJ focused on Shingo\u2019s arm as a result of said muscle shenanigans, Shingo put ZSJ down with a superplex, but the sliding lariat was a no-go after all of the arm work. ZSJ, the shark that he is when opponents are injured, then hyper focused on the arm. Shingo hit a pumping bomber, but it was a pyrrhic victory. ZSJ\u2019s attempt to re-take advantage was countered by a made in Japan, but that wasn\u2019t enough for Shingo to get the win. Another attempt at it was countered by ZSJ into a sleeper, which the ref was about to end the match due to before Shingo grabbed him and pulled him back to see that Takagi was fighting. Shingo then Takagi\u2019d up, hit Last of the Dragon and got the win.<\/p>\n<p>Winner: Shingo Takagi by pinfall in 16:13. ****1\/2<\/p>\n<p><em>(Fann\u2019s Thoughts: Wow. Both men are as always phenomenal, but this was a war. I am so happy to have seen this, and hope you get a chance to watch if you haven\u2019t. Shingo continues to be pound for pound one of the best in the world, and ZSJ is my continued pick to win the whole thing. ZSJ has earned his place as the top non-native star and this match is another illustration why.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>FINAL THOUGHTS:<\/strong> A fun night of wrestling overall, the final three matches were well worth your time. Coming in halfway through, the A Block seems to have found its groove, and I look forward to seeing the B block in action tomorrow. Naito\u2019s continued struggles, Jake Lee\u2019s nastiness, Sanada\u2019s rediscovered purpose and the continued development of the younger talent has been a good experiment for New Japan, and I hope they continue without the ole Gedo special of going chalk late and having someone with a furious rally. Let the kids cook.<\/p>\n<p>Fann\u2019s recommended \u201cmust-watch\u201d matches on night 9: Naito vs. Kidd, Sanada vs. Umino, and Sabre Jr vs. Takagi.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>CATCH UP ON ALL PREVIOUS NEW JAPAN G1 REPORTS: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/category\/tvshowsandevents\/njpwg1\/\">CLICK HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-1837215139\"><div id=\"pwtor-3596079405\"><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>NJPW G1 CLIMAX 34 &#8211; NIGHT 8 REPORT AUGUST 3, 2024 OSAKA, JAPAN IN THE YAMATO ARENA AIRED LIVE ON NJPW WORLD REPORT BY RICH FANN, TORCH COLUMNIST Commentator: Walker Stewart solo until G-1 matches; <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2024\/08\/03\/njpw-g1-climax-34-results-night-9-8-3-fanns-report-and-analysis-on-naito-vs-kidd-umino-vs-sanada-shingo-vs-sabre-jr\/\" title=\"NJPW G1 CLIMAX 34 RESULTS \u2013 NIGHT 9 (8\/3): Fann\u2019s report and analysis on Naito vs. Kidd, Umino vs. Sanada, Shingo vs. Sabre Jr.\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":181462,"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":[18,542,6582],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-182576","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tvshowsandevents","category-new-japan-ppvs","category-newjapanstrong"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2024\/07\/Screenshot-2024-07-12-at-11.31.00\u202fAM.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182576","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=182576"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182576\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":182578,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182576\/revisions\/182578"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/181462"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=182576"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=182576"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=182576"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}