This is one of the most interesting G1 in years because we genuinely didn't know who would they go with. Naito at this point should just drop the championship, it's depressing to see him wrestle compared with just a couple of years ago. And yeah, Goto absolutely should win IWGP heavyweight title at some point, guy deserves it just for consistently putting on outstanding performances and never being the one with spotlight on him. Glad that House Of Torture didn't make it to the playoffs, they pissed me off throughout the tournament. Takeshita is the highlight of the G1 for me, he needs to do more business with New Japan.
4 nights in, I was totally convinced that GOK was getting slotted in as an "interesting" guy whose appeal is that he's an awkward but good worker whose appeal is that you're getting a different kind of match from him vs the NJPW stalwarts, so someone's gotta finish last and it may as well be him. Now he's in the playoffs pinning Naito. Incredible booking.
I had picked ZSJ from the star to win it all based on my own wants etc but had thought Tsuji could be the one based on some LIJ passing of the torch they could do with him and Naito at WK. but I just want to see ZSJ finally get his due
Zack is PROBABLY winning but right now, I don't know if it's the right time. Not when they've been telegraphing LIJ being the main focal point of the promotion for the fall heading into the Tokyo Dome and the fact that Naito vs. Shingo or Naito vs. Tsuji are more narratively interesting right now to headline the Dome. I kinda hope Shingo or O-Khan beats Zack lol
Not to give too much of a peak behind the curtain but I KNOW there are people in NJPW with influence that are very high on Great O-Khan and there are people with influence that are not high on Great O-Khan at all. Tetsuya Naito is one of the people in the former category; O-Khan beat him in the first round of the NJ Cup in 2021, they had a 27 minute 'epic' in Hiroshima before Wrestling Dontaku 2021 and now this match.
I think, NJPW's best option at champ is already signed to DDT and AEW. You can see from this G1 that it's a lot of possibility with him {Konosuke} and some great matches that could develop. It will be interesting to see how this works going forward .. It wont surprise me at all if he is wrestling for the NJPW title on this super show they are planning for next January.
Feels like it may be Tsuji or ZSJ. Both have a history with losing to Naito. While I would say Finlay could work. He would need to lose the global championship first cause I feel like that title needs to be defended at wrestle kingdom
I absolutely wanted ELP to give Finlay the beating he deserves and after all the commentary on Goto's family, the loss of his dad, his kids being present at shows etc., I was certain he'd win. So yeah, there were some depressing results =( but at least no House of Torture guys have made the final. (Still too much interference though! Do your job, Tana!) I think it's interesting that they seem to be making a point of showing Shota Umino befriending ELP and trying to encourage him. Shota didn't really have a standout tournament due to his injuries, maybe a teamup would be good for both of them. -- I'm on the list of people who hope Takeshita ends up returning to NJPW to stay. They really need him and he'll shine there, while in AEW he'll just waste time as part of the Don Callis Stupid Circus. Fingers crossed on that one. But man, can Tsuji beat Finlay?
This is my thought/fear as well. Finlay's done great in G1, but I still don't think he has any legitimate heat. TMDK have shown they can straddle that tweener line, and ZSJ already has history with Naito that could help paint Zack as the heel. In the end, it boils down to who they think will be the better main event for their biggest show.
Goto's loss was depressing but the fact that they're pointing towards his fan reactions gives me a ray of hope.
This is one of the most interesting G1 in years because we genuinely didn't know who would they go with. Naito at this point should just drop the championship, it's depressing to see him wrestle compared with just a couple of years ago. And yeah, Goto absolutely should win IWGP heavyweight title at some point, guy deserves it just for consistently putting on outstanding performances and never being the one with spotlight on him. Glad that House Of Torture didn't make it to the playoffs, they pissed me off throughout the tournament. Takeshita is the highlight of the G1 for me, he needs to do more business with New Japan.
4 nights in, I was totally convinced that GOK was getting slotted in as an "interesting" guy whose appeal is that he's an awkward but good worker whose appeal is that you're getting a different kind of match from him vs the NJPW stalwarts, so someone's gotta finish last and it may as well be him.
Now he's in the playoffs pinning Naito.
Incredible booking.
@@digitalstatictv definitely the most unlikely playoff participant.
I had picked ZSJ from the star to win it all based on my own wants etc but had thought Tsuji could be the one based on some LIJ passing of the torch they could do with him and Naito at WK. but I just want to see ZSJ finally get his due
@@北の王子-u8u Zack definitely deserves it, he is the closest they have to a best wrestler.
Man, I was so disappointed that Goto didn't get that win. I really do hope he gets that world title run. The tournament has been great.
Zack is PROBABLY winning but right now, I don't know if it's the right time. Not when they've been telegraphing LIJ being the main focal point of the promotion for the fall heading into the Tokyo Dome and the fact that Naito vs. Shingo or Naito vs. Tsuji are more narratively interesting right now to headline the Dome. I kinda hope Shingo or O-Khan beats Zack lol
Kidani, the CEO of Bushiroad, apparently LOVES Gabe Kidd so I expect Kidani to take a beating from Kidd very soon lol
Switch O-Khan with Umino and everything would've played out how I envisioned. Great tournament
Not to give too much of a peak behind the curtain but I KNOW there are people in NJPW with influence that are very high on Great O-Khan and there are people with influence that are not high on Great O-Khan at all. Tetsuya Naito is one of the people in the former category; O-Khan beat him in the first round of the NJ Cup in 2021, they had a 27 minute 'epic' in Hiroshima before Wrestling Dontaku 2021 and now this match.
Based on how things were going to lay out, it looked like Bolton was going to beat Yuya straight up showing how much faith they have in Oleg.
Thanks for the review
I think, NJPW's best option at champ is already signed to DDT and AEW. You can see from this G1 that it's a lot of possibility with him {Konosuke} and some great matches that could develop. It will be interesting to see how this works going forward .. It wont surprise me at all if he is wrestling for the NJPW title on this super show they are planning for next January.
I wouldn't be surprised if he beats okada for the continental classic title this year
Feels like it may be Tsuji or ZSJ.
Both have a history with losing to Naito. While I would say Finlay could work. He would need to lose the global championship first cause I feel like that title needs to be defended at wrestle kingdom
🗣️ GIVE ME GOTO AND/OR ISHII AS IWGP WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION 🙏🏽
I’m glad you think this ELP thing is a work. I’m not sure sometimes
I absolutely wanted ELP to give Finlay the beating he deserves and after all the commentary on Goto's family, the loss of his dad, his kids being present at shows etc., I was certain he'd win. So yeah, there were some depressing results =( but at least no House of Torture guys have made the final. (Still too much interference though! Do your job, Tana!) I think it's interesting that they seem to be making a point of showing Shota Umino befriending ELP and trying to encourage him. Shota didn't really have a standout tournament due to his injuries, maybe a teamup would be good for both of them. -- I'm on the list of people who hope Takeshita ends up returning to NJPW to stay. They really need him and he'll shine there, while in AEW he'll just waste time as part of the Don Callis Stupid Circus. Fingers crossed on that one. But man, can Tsuji beat Finlay?
We’re almost done! Does that mean we aren’t gonna get as many videos? Maybe try ROH?
finlay might be the winner because he is the only heel in the group to go againts babyface naito
This is my thought/fear as well. Finlay's done great in G1, but I still don't think he has any legitimate heat. TMDK have shown they can straddle that tweener line, and ZSJ already has history with Naito that could help paint Zack as the heel. In the end, it boils down to who they think will be the better main event for their biggest show.