For the first time this year, New Japan comes into a major show having been merely alright last time around. Destruction didn’t set the world on fire, but, King of Pro Wrestling is not Destruction, and, on paper at least, this was one hell of a card. Let’s dish out those stars.
The New Japan camera people always catch this shot perfectly. Credit: NJPW
The Destruction tour comes to an end and it’s safe to say that in an incredible year for New Japan, these shows won’t be making the scoreboard. It’s had its moments, but it has been a B tour through and through, and 90% of the cards were made up of tag matches. That doesn’t stop us rating them, though. Let’s dish out those stars.
NJPW don’t seem to be putting up photos from these shows, sorry. Credit: NJPW
In a strange way, the pressure was off Destruction in Hiroshima. The first Destruction show was New Japan’s worst outing this year and it’s lowered the expectations for this tour. The wrestlers booked here won’t have to do much to impress, as it isn’t hard to improve on crap. Let’s dish out those stars.
Pictures aren’t up yet, but I’ll add them when they are. Credit: NJPW
With the New Japan roster all rested up post-G1 (although a lot of them headed off around the world so they might not be as rested as they want to be), they are now heading back to work for the Destruction tour. Three B Shows and a host of Road To events don’t exactly scream unmissable, but there are a few gems hidden away over the next couple of weeks. Sadly, they aren’t on this show, but we trudge into the dark anyway. Let’s hand out those stars.
We all knew that it would come down to this. There were questions about how they’d do it, but it was written in the stars. Okada vs. Omega III with the winner going to the final. Could they capture the magic of their first two matches with the constraints of a thirty-minute time-limit? Of course they fucking could, stupid.
And A Block comes to a close with the return of the English commentary team and a final day where everything came down to Tanahashi vs. Naito. The winner goes to the final, and in hindsight, that was always going to be the case. On the closing stretch it feels appropriate to go back to reviewing the undercard because you know, we haven’t watched enough wrestling in the last month. Let’s do this!
I both can’t want for this G1 to be over and hope it never ends. Having wonderful wrestling to watch every day has been brilliant, but, I used to have a lot more free time. In the days before this tournament, I was able to think about things that had nothing to do with New Japan! That’s now like a distant dream.
After the thrills and spills of day 14, the A Block suddenly has something to live up to. Can they provide anything as exciting as Juice and Evil’s wins? Well, how about Tanahashi vs. Ishii? All the stars!
Two good boys kneeing each other in the head. Credit: NJPW
Night 14 of the G1 Climax and there is a touch of magic in the air. The upsets are coming and who are we to delay them? Let’s dish out those star ratings.
You go away for a long weekend and not only do you fall behind on the G1, but New Japan dredges up a demon from the depths of hell to provide commentary. It’s brilliant to see Honma on the mend, but fuck me, I’m going to be having nightmares about that voice for weeks. Anyway, as mentioned, I’ve fallen behind so we better get on with the show.