Pro Wrestling Report Card

New Japan Pro Wrestling
G1 Climax 32, Day 15
Aug. 10, 2022
Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall; Hiroshima, Japan

The undercard

Will Ospreay, Aaron Henare^W, Jeff Cobb sub. Ryohei Oiwa, Yuto Nakashima^L, YOSHI-HASHI (Ultima).

Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano^W p. JONAH, Bad Dude Tito^L (rollup).

Lance Archer, TAKA Michinoku, Taichi^W p. KENTA, Juice Robinson, Gedo^L (Yokozuna Forearm).

Chase Owens^W, Bad Luck Fale, Yujiro Takahashi, SHO p. BUSHI^W, Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi, SANADA (C-Trigger).

The report card

David Finlay vs. El Phantasmo (D Block)
Result: Phantasmo p. Finlay (crucifix pin).
In short: An entertaining start to the block action. Finlay stepping on the banana peel was predictable, but thank God this was nothing like ELP’s last match …
Highlights
+ ELP used the top rope to hit Finlay with an enziguri, which set up a super hurricanrana and Thunder Kiss ’86.
+ Finlay added a great touch when ELP slipped out the back on a Trash Panda attempt. Finlay dropped to a knee to follow through with the move. That started a fun ending sequence during which Phantasmo got Finlay in the crucifix.
+ Finlay did a great job working the fall. He actually struggled against the flash pin, rather than just kicking his feet futilely — he may have brought his shoulder off the mat, though.
Grade: B+

Great-O-Khan vs. Tama Tonga (B Block)
Result: Tama p. Great-O-Khan (Gun Stun).
In short: It was a back-and-forth bout with a few creative spots. The result was necessary to build Tama’s B Block showdown with Jay White.
Highlights
+ O-Khan plucked Tama out of midair to stop a Superman Punch.
+ O-Khan airplane spun Tama while maintaining his grip of the Claw. It was a creative move and the first time he’s used it during the tour.
+ Tama countered the Eliminator with a Gun Stun for a good-looking finish, but …
Lowlights
– Tama took too long to cover O-Khan at the end.
Grade: B

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. EVIL (C Block)
Result: Sabre p. EVIL (European Clutch).
In short: After some prematch antics, the match was 44 seconds from bell to bell. For the sake of diversity, it’s necessary for some of these G1 matches to go quickly. Forty-four seconds isn’t enough time to earn a very high mark, but this was an amusing surprise.
Highlights
+ Sabre dressed young lion Kosei Fujita in his ring jacket and sent him out to get jumped by EVIL and Dick Togo. He then celebrated with Fujita before escaping after the three count.
Grade: D

Kazuchika Okada vs. Tom Lawlor (A Block)
Result: Okada p. Lawlor (flash pin).
In short: Another match with admirable ring psychology from Lawlor, who pounded Okada’s left arm. The work paid off when Okada couldn’t rip-cord Filthy for the Rainmaker. It didn’t, however, get Lawlor a “W.”
Highlights
+ Lawlor dodged a dropkick, hit his own spinning heelkick and then — predictably — ate the trademark dropkick.
+ Filthy countered Okada’s flying elbow with an armbar.
+ Lawlor, playing the role of a greasy ZSJ, contorted Okada with submissions.
+ Filthy punted Okada’s left arm for a good reaction prior to the finish.
Grade: A-

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hirooki Goto (C Block)
Result: Goto p. Tanahashi (GTR).
In short: Tanahashi acted a little heelish and allowed Goto to assume an underdog role. That setup was enhanced when Goto got busted open. The blood added to Goto’s fire and enhanced how he overcame the odds at the end.
Highlights
+ Tanahashi ripped Goto’s mouth wide open with a slap.
Lowlights
– Tanahashi used an “accidental” low-blow headbutt. Don’t like it when SANADA does a similar spot; don’t like it here, either.
Grade: A-

Block standings

A Block
Kazuchika Okada 4-1-0 (8)
JONAH 3-2-0 (6)
Lance Archer 3-2-0 (6)
Jeff Cobb 2-2-0 (4)
Tom Lawlor 2-3-0 (4)
Bad Luck Fale 2-3-0 (4)
Toru Yano 1-4-0 (2)

B Block
Jay White 4-0-0 (8)
Tama Tonga 4-1-0 (8)
SANADA 3-2-0 (6)
Taichi 2-2-0 (4)
Chase Owens 2-4-0 (4)
Great-O-Khan 1-4-0 (2)
Tomohiro Ishii 1-4-0 (2)

C Block
Zack Sabre Jr. 4-1-0 (8)
Hirooki Goto 3-2-0 (6)
Hiroshi Tanahashi 3-2-0 (6)
Tetsuya Naito 3-2-0 (6)
EVIL 2-3-0 (4)
KENTA 1-3-0 (2)
Aaron Henare 1-4-0 (2)

D Block
Yujiro Takahashi 3-2-0 (6)
David Finlay 3-2-0 (6)
Shingo Takagi 2-2-0 (4)
Will Ospreay 2-2-0 (4)
YOSHI-HASHI 2-2-0 (4)
Juice Robinson 2-3-0 (4)
El Phantasmo 2-3-0 (4)

Contact Pro Wrestling Report Card at prowrestlingreportcard@proton.me.