- Published on
NJPW G1 Climax 26 - Tag 1
- Authors
- Name
- Tails Azimuth
NJPW's Sapporo Spectacle: Lively Crowd Enjoys Thrilling Card
Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center in Sapporo, Japan played host to New Japan Pro Wrestling's latest TV taping on July 18th, featuring a stacked card that left the sold-out crowd of 5533 delighted. The event saw some familiar faces shine, while others continued their G1 Climax 2016 journey.
The evening began with an energetic eight-man tag team match, as Jushin Thunder Liger, Katsuyori Shibata, Manabu Nakanishi, and Tiger Mask took on Captain New Japan, KUSHIDA, Ryusuke Taguchi, and Tomoaki Honma. The veterans put on a show, trading holds and near-falls before the winning team secured the pin at 10:39.
Next up, Katsuhiko Nakajima and Toru Yano partnered to take down Juice Robinson and Satoshi Kojima in a tag team bout. Despite being the underdogs, the duo of Nakajima and Yano managed to overcome their opponents' aggression, securing the win in 9:37 minutes.
The BULLET CLUB's Kenny Omega and Yujiro Takahashi then clashed with CHAOS representatives Gedo and YOSHI-HASHI. In a match filled with quick sequences and high-flying action, the BULLET CLUB emerged victorious at 10:09.
Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, EVIL, and Tetsuya Naito) made their presence felt in the following six-man tag team contest, as they defeated David Finlay, Michael Elgin, and Yuji Nagata. The trio's signature chaos reigned supreme, culminating in a pinfall victory at 12:04.
G1 Climax 2016 action commenced with Hiroyoshi Tenzan facing off against Tomohiro Ishii. In a bout marked by stiff strikes and grappling exchanges, Tenzan emerged victorious at 14:08.
Togi Makabe then got the better of Tama Tonga in a battle that showcased both men's strength and resilience, ending with Makabe securing the win at 10:37.
Hirooki Goto looked to capitalize on his momentum against Bad Luck Fale. The two competitors engaged in an intense, physical contest before Goto emerged victorious at 9:18.
The main event saw SANADA face off against Hiroshi Tanahashi, with both men leaving everything in the ring. In a thrilling encounter that lasted nearly 20 minutes, SANADA ultimately gained the upper hand and submitted Tanahashi to the cross-armed choke at 19:30.
Naomichi Marufuji's bout with Kazuchika Okada was another highlight of the evening. The two competitors exchanged high-flying moves and grappling sequences before Marufuji secured a swift pinfall victory at 19:07, further solidifying his G1 Climax 2016 aspirations.
As the dust settled on an action-packed night in Sapporo, one thing is clear: New Japan Pro Wrestling continues to deliver top-notch performances that leave fans craving more. With the G1 Climax 2016 well underway and the road to the Tokyo Dome's King of Pro-Wrestling tournament already shaping up to be a thrilling one, this writer can't wait to see what the future holds for NJPW.
Card Details
- Date: 18 Jul 2016
- Promotion: New Japan Pro Wrestling
- Arena: Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center
- Attendance: 5533
- Type: TV-Show
- Broadcast Type: Live
- Broadcast Date: 18 Jul 2016
Matches
Jushin Thunder Liger, Katsuyori Shibata, Manabu Nakanishi and Tiger Mask defeat Captain New Japan, KUSHIDA, Ryusuke Taguchi and Tomoaki Honma in a Eight Man Tag Team Match
Match Time: 10:39Katsuhiko Nakajima and Toru Yano defeat Juice Robinson and Satoshi Kojima in a Tag Team Match
Match Time: 09:37BULLET CLUB (Kenny Omega and Yujiro Takahashi) defeat CHAOS (Gedo and YOSHI-HASHI) in a Tag Team Match
Match Time: 10:09Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, EVIL and Tetsuya Naito) defeat David Finlay, Michael Elgin and Yuji Nagata in a Six Man Tag Team Match
Match Time: 12:04Hiroyoshi Tenzan defeat Tomohiro Ishii in a G1 Climax 2016 Block A Match
Match Time: 14:08Togi Makabe defeat Tama Tonga in a G1 Climax 2016 Block A Match
Match Time: 10:37Hirooki Goto defeat Bad Luck Fale in a G1 Climax 2016 Block A Match
Match Time: 09:18SANADA defeat Hiroshi Tanahashi in a G1 Climax 2016 Block A Match
Match Time: 19:30Naomichi Marufuji defeat Kazuchika Okada in a G1 Climax 2016 Block A Match
Match Time: 19:07