New Japan Professional Wrestling
G1 Climax 34: Evening 3
July twenty third, 2024
Hiroshima Solar Plaza
Hiroshima, Japan
Watch: NJPWWorld
After two back-to-back nights in Osaka, G1 Climax 34 hits the street and heads to Hiroshima for the primary of the cut up block reveals (though this isn’t a completely cut up block occasion, however extra on that in somewhat bit). Popping out of Osaka, EVIL and Zack Sabre Jr. had been main the A Block, whereas Yuya Uemura and HENARE had been on high within the B Block. On the opposite finish of the desk, quite a few notable names have but to attain any factors, together with IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito. Can he lastly get on the board within the metropolis that’s residence to his favourite baseball group (the Hiroshima Toyo Carp)?
Let’s discover out!
Listed below are the outcomes from the undercard tags:
- Oleg Boltin, Toru Yano, & Katsuya Murashima def. Hirooki Goto, Tomoaki Honma, & Shoma Kato
- LIJ (Yota Tsuji & BUSHI) def. G.O.D. (El Phantasmo & Jado)
- United Empire (HENARE & Francesco Akira) def. Bullet Membership Struggle Canines (David Finlay & Gedo)
G1 Climax 34 – B Block
Konosuke Takeshita (4) def. Jeff Cobb (2)
Konosuke Takeshita was unable to be on the second Osaka card as a result of he was wrestling Masato Tanaka on DDT’s Wrestle Peter Pan occasion in Tokyo that very same day. Thus, this match with Jeff Cobb was pushed to Evening 3. It was an enormous one too, because the winner would be a part of HENARE and Yuya Uemura at 4 factors. When the mud settled, Takeshita finally scored the victory after connecting with Raging Fireplace (his twisting Falcon Arrow). This bout solely went somewhat over ten minutes, but it surely was an absolute blast to observe whereas it lasted. Takeshita would bust out the Takeshita Line and an enormous dive to the ground within the opening jiffy, whereas Cobb (at one level) simply despatched Takeshita FLYING (it was virtually comedic to see how excessive he obtained, but it surely rocked on the similar time). At one other level, Takeshita linked with a large superplex that each the referee and the cameraman bought huge time (once more….somewhat over-the-top, but it surely completely labored for me on this occasion). The second half featured some cool exchanges between the 2 earlier than Takeshita put Cobb away. I’m positive these guys may’ve had an excellent higher match if that they had extra time out there to them. They undoubtedly made the more often than not they obtained, not less than. A powerful begin to the event portion of this card as Takeshita strikes to 4 factors. ****
G1 Climax 34 – A Block
Zack Sabre Jr. (6) def. Callum Newman (2)
The primary A Block match of the evening featured a battle between two British wrestlers as Zack Sabre Jr. took on Callum Newman. Using a submission that concerned trapping Newman’s head and his legs, Sabre was capable of choose up the win, and have become the primary wrestler on this 12 months’s G1 Climax to achieve six factors. This went a tad longer than the Cobb/Takeshita match, and whereas it actually wasn’t on that unimaginable stage, it was nonetheless a fairly good contest that was Newman’s greatest outing within the event to this point (shouldn’t be a lot of a shock as Sabre is the most effective wrestler he’s confronted up up to now). After the preliminary grappling change, Newman was capable of join with a few of his offense (together with a moonsault to the ground), whereas Sabre labored over numerous physique components along with his plethora of submissions and holds. That they had a enjoyable closing stretch earlier than Sabre locked in what proved to be the successful submission. At this level, it’s not likely a query of if Sabre will make it to the A Block playoff, however the place he’ll be seeded. Whereas it’s nonetheless potential that he wins the block, it wouldn’t shock me if he takes just a few losses developing that carry him again into the clutches of the remainder of the sector. As for Newman, he’s persevering with to have a wonderful event. He’s not having blow-away performances or something like that, however he’s been enjoyable to observe in these lower-card G1 matches. ***1/2
G1 Climax 34 – A Block
Shingo Takagi (4) def. Nice O-Khan (0)
In addition to Tetsuya Naito, the opposite wrestler within the A Block that had but to attain any factors coming into Evening 3 was Nice O-Khan. Sadly for O-Khan, that winless streak would proceed as he got here up quick right here in opposition to Shingo Takagi. Very like the 2 earlier event bouts, this solely went ten or eleven minutes, but it surely was nonetheless fairly entertaining. There was a good quantity of back-and-forth motion, with loads of hard-hitting exchanges all through. O-Khan had talked about how he needed to wrestle his opponent’s type of match over the course of the event, and this was undoubtedly a Shingo Takagi match. The one spot that stood out to me essentially the most was really the end. At one level, they determined to begin operating the ropes on the similar time, in a battle of who may hit the subsequent huge transfer first (kind of just like the charging-at-each-other spot within the Bryan Danielson/Will Ospreay match from AEW Dynasty). Effectively, Shingo obtained his lariat off first, and that was what obtained him the pin. I simply love the concept these two bulls determined to simply cost at one another, and whoever obtained their transfer off first was going to win the match. Just a little sudden, but it surely undoubtedly labored. Shingo’s win retains him in contact with leaders, whereas Nice O-Khan (who’s had an excellent satisfying event from an in-ring standpoint) is already in a fairly deep gap. It’s going to be onerous for him to make that rally within the standings, however with three individuals going by from every block this 12 months, he’s actually not out of it simply but. ***1/2
G1 Climax 34 – A Block
Gabe Kidd (4) def. Shota Umino (2)
Each Gabe Kidd and Shota Umino come into Hiroshima with two factors, and (very similar to Shingo Takagi) wish to keep in contact with the leaders with a victory. Whereas Umino had his normal entrance, Kidd was rather more stoic, and took his entrance gear off on the stage as he was utterly fixated on Umino. As soon as the bell rang, these two would go on to have one of many hardest-hitting matches of your complete event to this point. Kidd and Umino simply beat absolutely the crap out of one another for over fifteen minutes, and I liked each second of it. After all, you had each guys busting out a few of their normal offense, however the onerous chops, huge forearm strikes, headbutts, and full pressure slaps to the face actually stood out. You might simply really feel that there was an actual sense of hatred between these two (a few of which I’m positive is fueled by alleged real-life points between them outdoors of the ring), and that added a lot to this one. It’s so refreshing to see guys solely targeted on beating one another up throughout matches to be able to safe the win. No foolish storylines or something like that. Carry extra of the hate, please! The large turning level of the match occurred when Kidd bit Umino’s ear and adopted up with a piledriver. From there, he weakened Umino with a Lion Tamer earlier than placing him away with a Physician Bomb. An superior match that was simply probably the greatest of the event up to now. ****1/4
G1 Climax 34 – A Block
EVIL (6) def. SANADA (2)
This was the sixth time that EVIL and SANADA have wrestled one another within the G1. 4 of these matches had been block matches, whereas their fifth assembly was within the quarterfinals of final 12 months’s event. When the mud settled, EVIL was capable of prolong that report in opposition to SANADA within the G1 to 4-2 after placing him away with….a distinct finisher that wasn’t Every part is EVIL. He kind of simply….drove SANADA face-first into the mat and obtained the pin. I’m not too positive if he’s ever used this transfer earlier than (except he has and I’m completely blanking on what the transfer is named). Regardless, this was the longest match of the evening at simply over eighteen minutes, and it was not excellent.
Earlier than the bell even rang, we obtained a bit the place EVIL gave SANADA a Home Of Torture T-Shirt, and SANADA put it on, seemingly becoming a member of the group. After all, when he went to lie down for EVIL firstly of the match, he practically caught him with a fast small bundle and tore off the Home Of Torture T-Shirt. SANADA would comply with up with the Paradise Lock, however EVIL would regain the benefit after sending SANADA into the ring announcer’s desk on the ground. From there, we obtained a lot extra Home Of Torture shenanigans, primarily involving the referee, who obtained taken out a number of instances. A chair did get entangled at one level, and after the referee obtained taken out a second time, we obtained a enjoyable change the place the 2 traded low blows. From there, SANADA managed to go on a little bit of an offensive flurry (together with stealing Every part Is EVIL), however that flurry obtained minimize off with one other low blow from EVIL, and that aforementioned faceplant transfer sealed the deal for the chief of Home Of Torture. I obtained a chuckle out of them low blowing one another, and SANADA’s late rally was enjoyable. Past that, nonetheless, there wasn’t a lot to this one. It simply went too lengthy, and so they went overboard on the Home Of Torture nonsense. It doesn’t assist that the babyface on this scenario isn’t precisely somebody that conjures up you to root for them in these kinds of situations. This wasn’t absolutely the worst match of the event up to now, but it surely was close to the underside of the pile for positive. **1/4
G1 Climax 34 – A Block
Tetsuya Naito (2) def. Jake Lee (2)
These two have had quite a few encounters already this 12 months, throughout New Japan, Professional-Wrestling NOAH, and the United Japan Professional-Wrestling All Collectively reveals. Their solely earlier singles encounter (which passed off on the All Collectively occasion in Sapporo again in June) was gained by Tetsuya Naito, and he prolonged that successful streak right here, getting his first two factors of the event within the course of.
In my evaluation of Evening 2, I discussed how Jake Lee has zero charisma, and that I didn’t perceive why this man had been given so many possibilities in excessive profile spots throughout numerous Japanese promotions during the last a number of years. This match did completely nothing to alter my emotions on him, as he and Naito proceeded to have an extremely boring important occasion that was highlighted by Naito (as soon as once more) having troubles with the Destino. On this occasion, issues appeared to crumble mid-move as Naito and Lee fell down as Naito was going excessive of Lee. Undecided who was at fault there (Naito has been having points with the Destino currently, like I discussed, however Lee is such a dope that I’m positive he contributed to this factor getting botched), but it surely was UGLY. Naito would choose up the win just a few moments later with one other Destino that Lee didn’t appear to promote very a lot after the three rely (as he complained on the ground following the match). Exterior of that, there wasn’t something memorable about this match.
Jake Lee simply doesn’t have what it takes to make it as a serious wrestler star. He has no charisma, no presence, and he’s no method thrilling or fascinating to observe within the ring. There’s no sense of urgency in something he does. Actually the ONLY factor he has going for him is that he’s tall. That’s it. That’s all he’s obtained. If Jake Lee was just a few random man within the decrease midcard, I don’t assume I might thoughts his presence that a lot (he wouldn’t stand out that a lot, and guys in that spot are rather a lot simpler to handwave), however the truth that he’s been pushed a lot in all places he’s been simply amplifies all of flaws tenfold. Typically you need to be brutally trustworthy about some individuals. Merely put, Jake Lee sucks. He’s one of the crucial boring wrestlers I’ve ever seen, and he’s with out a shadow of a doubt the worst wrestler on this event. If any person tells you that Jake Lee is nice (do these individuals even exist), I might counsel by no means speaking to this individual ever once more, as they clearly don’t have any style. **
Closing Ideas
The event portion of this card began off fairly nicely, with two actually good matches sandwiched by two nice matches. Sadly, this present fell off a cliff with the ultimate two matches, which aren’t value your time in any respect. For those who’re not a G1 completist, you’ll be able to watch these first 4 matches (and in the event you’re actually strapped for time, simply watch Jeff Cobb vs. Konosuke Takeshita and Gabe Kidd vs. Shota Umino), and simply shut out New Japan World earlier than EVIL vs. SANADA begins taking part in.
Within the A Block standings, EVIL and Zack Sabre Jr. stay undefeated on the high of the block with 6 Factors every, whereas Konosuke Takeshita joined HENARE and Yuya Uemura on the high of the B Block with 4 Factors every. Apparently sufficient, Takeshita and Uemura are dealing with off in the principle occasion of Evening 4, so a type of two will transfer to six Factors whereas the opposite will endure their first defeat of this 12 months’s G1 Climax.
A Block
- EVIL (3-0) – 6 Factors
- Zack Sabre Jr. (3-0) – 6 Factors
- Gabe Kidd (2-1) – 4 Factors
- Shingo Takagi (2-1) – 4 Factors
- Tetsuya Naito (1-2) – 2 Factors
- Callum Newman (1-2) – 2 Factors
- Jake Lee (1-2) – 2 Factors
- SANADA (1-2) – 2 Factors
- Shota Umino (1-2) – 2 Factors
- Nice O-Khan (0-3) – 0 Factors
B Block
- HENARE (2-0) – 4 Factors
- Konosuke Takeshita (2-0) – 4 Factors
- Yuya Uemura (2-0) – 4 Factors
- Jeff Cobb (1-1) – 2 Factors
- Oleg Boltin (1-1) – 2 Factors
- Ren Narita (1-1) – 2 Factors
- Yota Tsuji (1-1) – 2 Factors
- David Finlay (0-2) – 0 Factors
- El Phantasmo (0-2) – 0 Factors
- Hirooki Goto (0-2) – 0 Factors
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