We are back into the action after a few days off. The last three nights all take place at the legendary Sumo Hall in Ryogoku. This is the last night of Block A. The only people who can win the Block are Tanahashi and Naito.
Block A Match - Yuji Nagata vs Bad Luck Fale
This is Nagata's last ever G1 match, his first was in 1999. He has been brilliant in this tournament and this was no different. This may have been Fale's best match in this year's G1. In the end it was Fale who picked up the win but that was irrelevant. After the match Fale paid respects to Nagata and so did the fans. They had Blue Justice placards and cheered his name, it was a wonderful scene. Thank you for the G1 memories you mad old bastard. ***3/4
Block A Match - Togi Makabe vs YOSHI-HASHI
This was a match. It was hard to get invested in this as there was nothing on the line and I don't particularly care about either man at this stage. **1/2
Block A Match - Tomohiro Ishii vs Zack Sabre Jr
These two had a fantastic match a month ago and while this match wasn't up to the standards of that it was still a great match. Sabre Jr has done a great job of establishing himself in this tournament and I look forward to seeing where he goes from here. The finish is really good as Ishii refuses to tap to a Sabre submission hold, I couldn't tell you what it was called as it was mental, and the referee has to stop the match. Really good stuff. ****
Block A Match - Kota Ibushi vs Hirooki Goto
This was a bit of a disappointment. It was in no way a bad match but with the quality of these two I would have expected better. They keep it relatively short and to the point. Goto wins by pinfall. ***
Block A Match - Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Tetsuya Naito
Here it is, the only match that has any bearing on the tournament and while I was somewhat disappointed that the winner of the Block was so straight forward this was an excellent main event. These two have tremendous chemistry with each other and this was further proof of that. Tanahashi heels it up during parts of this match which was a nice touch. In the end Naito manages to take everything that Tanahashi can throw at him and hits two Destinos to pick up the win and advance to the final. This wasn't quite up to the standards of their previous two matches but it's splitting hairs really as it was still brilliant. ****1/2
Final Standings
Tetsuya Naito: 7-2 - 14 points (Block A Winner)
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 6-2 - 12 points
Bad Luck Fale: 6-3 - 12 points
Hirooki Goto: 5-4 - 10 points
Kota Ibushi: 5-4 - 10 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 5-4 - 10 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 4-5 - 8 points
Togi Makabe: 4-5 - 8 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 2-7 - 4 points
Yuji Nagata: 1-8 - 2 points
Overall Grade - B
While two of the matches on this show are just kind of there the other three are well worth your time. The main event is superb, Ishii vs Sabre is great and Nagata's last G1 match is a really heartfelt moment.
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