New Japan Pro Wrestling
G1 Climax 32, Day 3
July 20, 2022
Xebio Arena; Sendai, Japan
The undercard
Bad Dude Tito, JONAHW vs. Royce IsaacsL, Tom Lawlor (Black Forest Bomb): This was a really solid opener. And with a non-tournament participant on each side, the result was actually in doubt — fancy that.
Aaron HenareW, Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb, Will Ospreay sub. Dick TogoL, SHO, El Phantasmo, EVIL (Ultima): The match highlight: As Kevin Kelly called it, “the Big Dick Stretch.”
YOSHI-HASHIW, Kazuchika Okada sub. Ryohei OiwaL, Toru Yano (Butterfly Lock).
Juice Robinson, KENTAW, Jay White sub. Kosei FujitaL, Tomohiro Ishii, Hiroshi Tanahashi (Game Over): Ishii had an excellent hot tag and flurry of action.
BUSHI, SANADAW, Shingo Takagi sub. TAKA MichinokuL, Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr. (Skull End).
The report card
David Finlay vs. Yujiro Takahashi (D Block)
Result: Takahashi p. Finlay (Big Juice).
In short: It’s tough garnering crowd reaction when wrestling Yujiro, because despite being an obvious heel, he’s a natural underdog due to his track record. This match was fine.
Highlights
+ It’s almost comical how the camera avoids lewdly showing valet Pieter’s butt while she dances. So, why make her come out in lingerie in the first place? Let her wear pants.
+ Speaking of butts, Finlay worked his ass off and had a fine accounting of himself in his first G1 match, despite the result.
Lowlights
– Yujiro landed a reverse DDT on the outside that looked more like two people falling down together — slowly.
– The outside interference from SHO was disappointing. It initially led to an exciting nearfall, but eventually resulted in a wrench shot, which prompted the finish. Trash, but that’s the House of Torture way. Why can’t Pieter help Yujiro cheat, if that’s what they want? Empower this woman.
Grade: C
Tama Tonga vs. Chase Owens (B Block)
Result: Tama Tonga p. Chase Owens (Gun Stun).
In short: This was a very fun bout. Owens’ old-school underhanded tactics are delightful. The pair had a super ending sequence before Tama finally hit the Gun Stun.
Highlights
+ Owens starched Jado with a superkick to distract Tama and gain control.
+ Owens “too-sweeted” Ryusuke Taguchi, who was ringside doing commentary. They both seemed surprised. A new member!?
+ Owens sunset-flipped Tama into the corner for a unique spot.
Grade: B+
Lance Archer vs. Bad Luck Fale (A Block)
Result: Fale d. Archer via count out.
In short: The big men outperformed expectations. The two behemoths clobbered each other and drew gasps from the crowd by teasing big power moves. The ending was ho-hum, but it protected Archer.
Highlights
+ Fale choked Archer with his own hair, clearly lashing out as a bald man.
+ Archer avoided an early countout after being slammed through a pair of open chairs.
+ A knee strike from Archer in the corner flashed his impressive athleticism.
Lowlights
– That moment where it looked like Archer was going to die as he and Fale went over the top rope together.
– The eventual countout was anticlimatic. Archer got knocked off the apron and that was that.
Grade: B
Hirooki Goto vs. Tetsuya Naito (C Block)
Result: Goto p. Naito (GTR).
In short: Goto stopped a long string of futility against Naito in a fixture worthy of the main event slot. It’s sort of surprising that this bout has so few highlights listed. It was just very good, albeit absent of stunning moments.
Highlights
+ The pace was great. Naito and Goto built a solid foundation and ended at the peak like true pros.
Grade: A-
In conclusion
Day 3 might not have jumped out as a must-see card on paper. It lived up to the G1 standard, though. It’s heartening to see some performers rise to the occasion.
Block standings
A Block
Bad Luck Fale 1-0-0 (2)
Kazuchika Okada 1-0-0 (2)
Toru Yano 1-0-0 (2)
Tom Lawlor 0-0-0 (0)
Jeff Cobb 0-1-0 (0)
JONAH 0-1-0 (0)
Lance Archer 0-1-0 (0)
B Block
Jay White 1-0-0 (2)
Taichi 1-0-0 (2)
Tama Tonga 1-0-0 (2)
Great-O-Khan 0-0-0 (0)
Chase Owens 0-1-0 (0)
SANADA 0-1-0 (0)
Tomohiro Ishii 0-1-0 (0)
C Block
Aaron Henare 1-0-0 (2)
Hirooki Goto 1-0-0 (2)
Zack Sabre Jr. 1-0-0 (2)
EVIL 0-0-0 (0)
Hiroshi Tanahashi 0-1-0 (0)
KENTA 0-1-0 (0)
Tetsuya Naito 0-1-0 (0)
D Block
Juice Robinson 1-0-0 (2)
Will Ospreay 1-0-0 (2)
Yujiro Takahashi 1-0-0 (2)
YOSHI-HASHI 0-0-0 (0)
David Finlay 0-1-0 (0)
El Phantasmo 0-1-0 (0)
Shingo Takagi 0-1-0 (0)
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