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RADICAN’S G1 CLIMAX 27: NIGHT 18 REPORT
AUG. 12, 2017
TOKYO, JAPAN
SUMO HALL
AIRED LIVE ON NJPWWORLD.COM
This show had a multi-camera shoot with Kevin Kelly, Don Callis, and Rocky Romero providing English commentary.
I will not be reviewing any of the non-tournament matches this year, but I will provide the daily results. If any undercard match turns out to be extremely noteworthy, I will make an exception in certain cases.
UNDERCARD RESULTS
(1) Yoshinobu Kanemaru &Taichi & El Desperado & TAKA Michinoku beat KUSHIDA & Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV Hirai Kawato
(2) CHAOS (Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI) beat Bullet Club (Tanga Loa & Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens).
(3) Zack Sabre Jr. & Takashi Iizuka beat Togi Makabe & Yuji Nagata
(4) Bullet Club (Cody, Hangman Page & Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson & Bad Luck Fale)beat Raymond Rowe & Hanson & Ryusuke Taguchi & Ricochet & Katsuya Kitamuyra
(5) Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi & David Finlay beat L.I.J. (Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi
B BLOCK RESULTS & ANALYSIS
(6) Juice Robinson (6) vs. Michael Elgin (8) in a G1 Climax 27 B Block match. Robinson hit a belly to back suplex to get on track during the early going. Elgin fired back and whipped Robinson into the corner and he ended up spilling to the floor. Elgin then nailed him with a flip senton off the apron to the floor. The announcers said Elgin fell out of contention when he got DQ’d against Yano earlier in the tournament. Romero, who is in Chaos, said his internet got fuzzy when the DQ occurred. Robinson hit a cross-body, but Elgin rolled through. Elgin slipped out of Elgin’s grasp and went for the KO punch, but Elgin duked it. He eventually hit an inverted DDT for a 2 count. Robinson hit a full nelson slam a short time later for a 2 count. Elgin fired up and hit a series of blows and a jumping enzuguri. The fans fired up and they went back and forth. Both men eventually hit clotheslines at the same time. They repeated the spot, but neither man would go down. Robinson hit a huge clothesline and went for a kick, but Elgin turned it into a one arm powerbomb! Elgin set up and hit a huge lariat for a 2 count. Robinson set up for a cannonball, but Elgin nailed him with a superkick. Elgin went up top, but Juice popped up and hit a powerbomb out of the corner for a 2 count! Robinson went for pulp friction, but Elgin fought out of it. Robinson then hit a double gutbuster. His legs seem much better tonight. Robinson went for a cannonball, but Elgin caught him and hit a powerbomb. He picked Robinson up and hit a buckle bomb. He went for the Elgin bomb, but Robinson countered it into a pinning combination for a near fall. WOW!
Elgin placed Robinson up top. He set up Robinson for the burning hammer, but he slipped out of it. He went for pulp friction and when Elgin fought out of it, he hit the big left hand. Elgin hit a huge backfist, but Robinson no-sold it and hit pulp friction for the win! WOW!
After the match, Elgin raised Robinson’s hand.
Winner: Juice Robinson (8 pts)
Star rating: (***3/4) – This was a very good match. They went back and forth and the finish was electric. Robinson’s story in the tournament has been great. He went on a long losing streak, but now he’s making a case for a shot at the U.S. title.
(7) SANADA (8) vs. Tama Tonga (4) in a G1 Climax 27 B Block match. SANADA tried to put a paradise lock on Tonga in the entranceway to get the count out win. Takahashi and Loa came out and eventually they rolled him over and he barely beat the 20 count. There was a very long pause between 19 and 20. Tonga worked over SANADA inside the ring for several minutes, but SANADA fired back with a great looking springboard dropkick and then a slingshot splash. SANADA had the skull end on the floor, but Takahashi came out to distract the ref and Loa wiped out SANADA. Both men barely beat the 20 count. SANADA favored his shoulder after Tonga had worked it over earlier in the match. They had a crazy exchange. SANADA blocked the gun stun and got the skull end. Tonga went for a rollup after SANADA countered him and got the gun stun again. They went back and forth and SANADA hit a gun stun for a near fall! Tonga countered the skull end and hit the Tonga twist. He went for the gun stun, but SANADA rolled him up for a 2 count. Tonga then hit the gun stun for the win.
Winner: Tama Tonga (6 pts)
Star rating: (***1/2) – This was short, but really good, as they countered each other throughout the match. Tonga having Takahashi and Loa come down to help him gave him an edge, but didn’t play into the finish.
(8) NEVER Openweight Champion Toru Yano (6) vs. Minoru Suzuki (Taichi) (9) in a G1 Climax B Block match. Suzuki jumped Yano while he was showing off his DVD. Taichi worked over Yano while Suzuki distracted the ref. The fans chanted Taichi go home in Japanese. Taichi and Suzuki kept taking short cuts by distracting the ref. Yano fired back and went to tape Suzuki’s feet together, but Suzuki kicked Yano and the ref into the guardrail. Suzuki got the tape and taped Yano’s legs together. The ref recovered and broke up Suzuki’s choke on Yano when he was his feet were taped. Romero left the commentary booth and wiped out Taichi. Suzuki then went after Romero and Callis told him to beat his ass. Yano made the save for Romero. Yano managed to cut his legs free somehow. He then taped Suzuki’s arms to his body. He hit a low blow and rolled him up for the win.
Winner: Toru Yano (8 pts)
Star rating: (**) – This was fun for what it was.
After the match, Suzuki got a chair and went after all of The Young Lions. He nearly toppled over a cop on the way out.
(9) Satoshi Kojima (w/Tenzan) (2) vs. EVIL (10) in a G1 Climax B Block match. The fans fired up and chanted for Kojima. EVIL got the upper hand on the floor and hit his conchairto variation on Kojima. EVIL dominated the action for a long period of time. EVIL jawed with Tenzan and Kojima went on the attack and hit a series of Mongolian chops to send EVIL down to the mat and the fans fired up. Kelly mentioned that Kojima’s first G1 was in 2006 where he lost to Tenzan in the finals. He beat Tanahashi in the G1 finals in 2010. Kojima hit the machinegun chops as the fans fired up. Kojima hit the machinegun chops again and once again the fans fired up. He hit his signature running forearm in the corner and went up top and dropped the elbow to the chest, but EVIL kicked out! EVIL used the ref to cut help cut Kojima off. They went back and forth and Kojima hit the Koji cutter. They went at it on the apron and EVIL snapped Kojima’s neck over the top rope. They continued to go at it on the apron and Kojima hit a big DDT and both men fell to the floor. Kojima hit a Koji cutter off the top, but EVIL kicked out at 2. Kojima went for the lariat, but EVIL slipped around him and eventually hit a release German. EVIL hit darkness falls for a 2 count. EVIL did the throat slice gesture on Kojima and set up for the STO, but Kojima blocked it. EVIL hit a pair of huge lariats. After the second one he paused and fell down. EVIL helped Kojima up and hit a HUGE third lariat, but Kojima got right up and hit a lariat of his own and both men were down. WOW! Kojima was up first and the fans fired up. He hit a big brainbuster and the fans roared, but EVIL kicked out at 2! Kojima set up for the lariat. EVIL ducked it and went for the STO, but Kojima slipped away and hit a western lariat to the back of EVIL’s head. Kojima tried to set up EVIL for a lariat, but EVIL hit a HUGE headbutt to the chest and then everything is evil for the win.
Winner: EVIL (12 pts)
Star rating: (***3/4) – This was a heck of a way for Kojima to go out in the tournament. He held his own against EVIL and withstood a ton of his offense before putting him away in the end.
After the match, Tenzan raised Kojima’s hand and he smiled. It looks like next year might be his swan song for the G1. He bowed on his way to the back.
(10) IWGP Hvt. Champion Kazuchika Okada (w/Gedo) (13) vs. IWGP U.S. Champion Kenny Omega (w/The Young Bucks) (12) in a G1 Climax 27 B Block match. They went at it hot and heavy. Omega ducked a rainmaker and hit a snap dragon. He missed a V Trigger and went for the one-winged angel, but Okada blocked it. Okada placed Omega up top and hit a dropkick that sent him to the floor. The announcers mentioned both men were going for broke given the 30 minute time limit. Okada booted Omega over the guardrail and nailed him with a big running splash. Okada favored his shoulders and neck after, which were taped up. Okada dropped the elbow off the top inside the ring and hit the rainmaker pose. Omega blocked it and shot Okada to the floor. He then hit a slingshot splash and Okada sold his neck. Omega hit a missile dropkick to the back of Okada’s neck for a 2 count. Omega went to work on Okada’s neck and tore his trainers tape off. Okada finally caught Omega with a big boot to the head. He went for a senton, but Omega got his knees up. Okada blocked a piledriver and back dropped Omega. Okada popped up Omega in the corner and hit his signature neck breaker a short time later. The fans fired up and chanted for Okada. Okada tried to hit a DDT and nip up, but he couldn’t because of his neck. Okada continued to favor his neck while he had the upper hand. Okada went for a tombstone, but let go and favored his neck. Omega unloaded with several big chops on Okada’s neck. He went for a tombstone, but Okada blocked it. Omega went for the Finlay roll/moonsault combo, but Okada got his knees up. Omega caught Okada with a frankensteiner and he went to the floor. The fans then clapped as Omega set up Rise of the Terminator. Okada flew back into the ring and caught Omega by surprise with a flapjack! Okada went for a tombstone, but Omega slipped out and chopped his neck. Omega went for a springboard, but Okada nailed him with the too awesome dropkick! Omega fired back on the floor with a poison hurricanrana and the fans gasped wow!
The ref checked on Okada. The doctor also came out to check on Okada’s neck. The fans chanted for Okada. Omega shoved the trainer aside and dragged Okada up to the apron. He set up for a snap dragon on the apron. Omega hit it and Okada collapsed to the floor! Omega tossed Okada into the ring and hit the cross-legged neck breaker! The ref went down to count, but Okada kicked out at the last second! WOW! Omega lifted Okada and hit a big V Trigger at the 15 minute mark. He hit another V Trigger and Okada went down. Romero said the ref should stop the match or Gedo should throw in the towel. Okada hit a weak punch and Omega brushed it off. Omega hit a chop and Okada began to fire up. The fans fired up and Okada hit several forearms, but Omega went after Okada’s neck with some clubbing blows. Okada blocked a V Trigger and hit several forearms. Omega then caught Okada with a V Trigger and went for the one winged angel, but Okada blocked it and hit a tombstone. HOLY S—T! The fans fired up and chanted for Okada. They went up top and Omega set up for a fisherman buster. Okada sent him to the mat and hit a sick missile dropkick that sent Omega flying across the ring! Omega followed up with a shotgun dropkick. He went for the rainmaker, but Omega blocked it. Omega hit a big V Trigger a short time later. Okada then fired back with the too awesome dropkick. WOW! Omega and Okada went back and forth. Okada went for a rainmaker, but Omega turned it into a crazy Rock bottom. Omega went for the one-winged angel, but Okada hit the rainmaker!!! Both men collapsed to the mat at the 20 minute mark. Okada rolled over for the cover, but Omega kicked out at 2! The fans really fired up as both men struggled to get to their feet.
Okada was up first and he dragged Omega to his feet. Omega countered a tombstone into a rollup for a 2 count. Omega went for a backslide and got a 2 count. Okada kicked out and hit a rainmaker! Okada held onto Omega’s wrist. Holy s—t! Okada hit a second rainmaker and slumped in the corner. He screamed and went after Omega. He set up for another rainmaker, but Omega ducked it and hit a German! Omega held on and hit another German! He held on and Okada tried to elbow out of it. Omega jumped up and hit a poison hurricanrana! Omega rolled over for the cover, but Okada kicked out! Omega lifted Okada for the one winged angle. He fought out of it, but OKADA COUNTERED IT INTO CROYT’S WRATH! The ref made the count and Okada KICKED OUT! WOW! Omega went for a V Trigger, but Okada hit the too awesome dropkick. It looked like Omega was out on his feet. Okada went for a rainmaker, but Kenny countered it into a rainmaker style V TRIGGER. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Omega then hit a double underhook DDT for a near fall! WOW! The fans went nuts and Omega sold shock. Omega set up for a V Trigger and connected. He then lifted Okada up and hit the one winged angel for the win. OH MY GOD! KENNY DID IT!
Winner: Kenny Omega (14 pts) – B BLOCK WINNER
Star rating: (*****) This was another masterpiece from these two. Omega worked on Okada’s injured neck the entire match. He just kept going after Okada’s neck and the fans really fired up with Okada in jeopardy. Okada’s comebacks were epic, but he just couldn’t hit the final rainmaker to put Omega away. Omega finally hit the one-winged angel to get a win, which he had been unable to do in their previous matches.
After the match, Omega spoke in Japanese for the first time in long time to the fans. He said Naito was so popular, but everyone had Omega, Bullet Club, and Elite shirts. He said the fans had the Canadian flags. He said he would become the first two time gaijin winner. Omega signed off with his catch phrase as the fans chanted along. Naito is going to be looking for revenge over Omega in the finals after he knocked him out of a shot at the finals last year.
Overall thoughts: This was a really good night of B block action. Robinson ended the tournament on a high note with a big win over Michael Elgin. The other match on the undercard of the block action that stood out was Kojima-EVIL, which was very good. The fans really got behind Kojima and it looked like he might pull it off, but ultimately he fell short.
Okada has gotten worn down as the tournament went on. He has proven that he’s a class above everyone in NJPW as an in-ring performer in the tournament, but from a storyline standpoint, he lost to EVIL and then had a draw with Suzuki heading into the final night of block action to face Omega for a spot in the G1 finals.
Okada’s neck and shoulder area has been getting worse and worse from a storyline standpoint during this recent string of matches. Omega and Okada went for broke in the main event. They start hot and heavy going for finishers and Omega was dominant as he picked Okada’s neck apart. Okada rose from the ashes and mounted an incredible comeback with several rainmakers, but Omega was able to get the win after finally hitting the one-winged angel, which he couldn’t do in their previous matches this year. This was a five star match through and through. It was amazing.
The finals present an interesting scenario with Tetsuya Naito facing Kenny Omega. Both have fantastic cases to win the match from a storyline standpoint. Naito could compete his redemption after he was voted out of the Wrestle Kingdom finals after winning G1 Climax 23. He could also get revenge on Omega after he knocked him out of the tournament last year.
On the other hand seeing a rubber match between Okada and Omega would be fantastic. I think Naito will win the match and Omega will concentrate on defending the U.S. Title and stay away from Okada for a period of time. A great Tokyo Dome match for him could be against Kota Ibushi, which was teased as a possible final for G1 this year. Omega-Okada was another classic. Be sure to watch it before moving onto the finals.
STANDINGS AFTER NIGHT 18
A BLOCK
Tetsuya Naito (7-2, 14 pts) (A BLOCK WINNER)
Hiroshi Tanahashi (6-3, 12 pts)
Bad Luck Fale (6-3, 12 pts)
Kota Ibushi (5-4, 10 pts)
Zack Sabre Jr. (5-4, 10 pts)
Hirooki Goto (5-4, 10 pts)
Tomohiro Ishii (4-5, 8 pts)
Togi Makabe (4-5, 8 pts)
YOSHI-HASHI (2-6, 4 pts)
Yuji Nagata (1-8, 2 pts)
B BLOCK
Kenny Omega (7-2, 14 pts) (B BLOCK WINNER)
Kazuchika Okada (6-2-1, 13 pts)
EVIL (6-3, 12 pts)
Minoru Suzuki (4-4-1, 9pts)
SANADA (4-5, 8 pts)
Michael Elgin (4-5, 8 pts)
Tama Tonga (4-5, 8 pts)
Juice Robinson (4-5, 8 pts)
Toru Yano (3-5, 8 pts)
Satoshi Kojima (1-8, 2 pts)
I will provide a list of matches ranked at **** or higher for people just looking to watch the best matches from the tournament. This guide is also handy for those of you that are short on time and looking to sample the best of each night of G1 Climax 27.
Match recommendations for G1 Climax 27: Night 18
(10) IWGP Hvt. Champion Kazuchika Okada vs. IWGP U.S. Champion Kenny Omega (*****)
ATTENTION: Read Radican’s G1 Climax 27: Night 17 report by clicking HERE
Contact Sean at pwtorchsean@gmail.com. Follow Sean on twitter HERE. Follow and like Radican’s Wrestling Community Facebook.com HERE
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