- Published on
NJPW G1 Climax 2017 - Tag 1
- Authors
- Name
- Tails Azimuth
NJPW's Sapporo Showdown: A Night of Thrills and Spills
Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan - The Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center played host to a night of electrifying action as New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) brought its unique brand of professional wrestling to the city. In front of an enthusiastic crowd of 6,189 fans, NJPW presented a stacked card that showcased the best of its talent pool.
The evening kicked off with a high-flying six-man tag team match featuring TenKoji and Jushin Thunder Liger on one side, pitted against David Finlay, Juice Robinson, and Michael Elgin. The action was fast-paced and entertaining, with all eight competitors getting their share of shine time. In the end, it was TenKoji and Liger who emerged victorious, taking down their opponents in 7:48.
Next up were Suzuki-gun (El Desperado, Minoru Suzuki, and Taichi) and BULLET CLUB (Chase Owens, Kenny Omega, and Tama Tonga) in another six-man tag team match. This contest was a hard-hitting affair, with both teams trading blows and near-falls aplenty. In the end, it was Suzuki-gun who came out on top, taking 7:04 to do so.
The first half of the show closed with a pair of tag team matches featuring Los Ingobernables de Japon (EVIL and Hiromu Takahashi) and CHAOS (Jado and Toru Yano). These two bouts were evenly matched, with each team delivering their share of punishment. EVIL and Takahashi ultimately got the better of BUSHI and SANADA in 6:52, while Jado and Yano edged out Gedo and Okada in a thrilling encounter that went the distance.
The G1 Climax 2017 block A matches took center stage for the remainder of the evening. YOSHI-HASHI made a strong case for his inclusion in this year's tournament with a dominant victory over Yuji Nagata, taking 16:29 to secure the win. Bad Luck Fale was equally impressive, dispatching Togi Makabe in 9:25.
Hirooki Goto and Tomohiro Ishii engaged in a grueling contest that saw Goto ultimately emerge victorious, claiming the win in 13:43. Zack Sabre Jr. continued his winning ways with a strong performance against Hiroshi Tanahashi, taking 17:18 to secure the victory. Finally, Tetsuya Naito capped off an incredible night of action with a thrilling victory over Kota Ibushi, setting the crowd ablaze in the process.
Naito's win was particularly noteworthy, as he and Ibushi delivered a match for the ages that left fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The time-consuming contest (24:41) featured numerous near-falls, counterattacks, and dramatic turns, ultimately ending with Naito securing the win.
In conclusion, NJPW's Sapporo show was an absolute thrill ride from start to finish. With a mix of high-flying action, hard-hitting brawls, and intense technical grappling, there was something for everyone in this stacked card. The G1 Climax matches were particularly impressive, with several competitors making strong cases for their inclusion in the tournament. As NJPW continues its summer schedule, fans can expect more of the same electrifying action that Sapporo's crowd witnessed on this memorable night.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommendation: This show is a must-watch for any fan of professional wrestling. The G1 Climax matches are particularly noteworthy, with several competitors delivering outstanding performances. If you're looking to get into NJPW, this card provides an excellent introduction to the world of New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Card Details
- Date: 17 Jul 2017
- Promotion: New Japan Pro Wrestling
- Arena: Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center
- Attendance: 6189
- Type: TV-Show
- Broadcast Type: Live
- Broadcast Date: 17 Jul 2017
Matches
TenKoji and Jushin Thunder Liger defeat David Finlay, Juice Robinson and Michael Elgin in a Six Man Tag Team Match
Match Time: 07:48Suzuki-gun (El Desperado, Minoru Suzuki and Taichi) defeat BULLET CLUB (Chase Owens, Kenny Omega and Tama Tonga) in a Six Man Tag Team Match
Match Time: 07:04Los Ingobernables de Japon (EVIL and Hiromu Takahashi) defeat Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI and SANADA) in a Tag Team Match
Match Time: 06:52CHAOS (Jado and Toru Yano) defeat CHAOS (Gedo and Kazuchika Okada) in a Tag Team Match
Match Time: 07:49YOSHI-HASHI defeat Yuji Nagata in a G1 Climax 2017 Block A Match
Match Time: 16:29Bad Luck Fale defeat Togi Makabe in a G1 Climax 2017 Block A Match
Match Time: 09:25Hirooki Goto defeat Tomohiro Ishii in a G1 Climax 2017 Block A Match
Match Time: 13:43Zack Sabre Jr. defeat Hiroshi Tanahashi in a G1 Climax 2017 Block A Match
Match Time: 17:18Tetsuya Naito defeat Kota Ibushi in a G1 Climax 2017 Block A Match
Match Time: 24:41