Back on the main island of Honshu as we have 2 straight night of G1 action from Hiroshima. First with B Block action. Also, the first night where Tetsuya Naito doesn’t headline a B Block night. Fortunately, we have a banger in his place.
Yota Tsuji v Yuya Uemura
This is the FOURTH time Tsuji and Uemura have faced each other this tour alone. We’re at a point where it’s almost impossible for these two to have a bad match. The battle of these two Young Lions will be repeated many more times over the years and they’ll only get better.
Hirooki Goto v Toru Yano
Goto is super serious. Yano is super shenanigans. So, this is a clash of styles for sure between the Chaos stablemates. The Sublime Master Thief has had a great tournament so far but can we really see him beating Goto here? Especially given the Fierce Warrior has had a poor run this year? Expect Goto to get the win here, fair or foul.
SANADA v Zack Sabre Jr.
Sanada hasn’t had a banner year up until his victory over his LIJ stablemate and Double Champion; Tetsuya Naito. He’s been very much been a background player in LIJ, especially after Evil screwed him at the New Japan Cup and followed that with joining Bullet Club. Sanada’s response? Not much. We will see if he can get revenge later in the competition when he faces his former partner. However, we can pin point the start of this malaise right at the start of the year at Wrestle Kingdom. On night 2 he took on ZSJ for the Rev Pro Heavyweight Championship and lost, pretty comfortably too and it was downhill from there. If Sanada is going to win the block and rebuild his year then this a ghost he needs to put to rest.
Juice Robinson v EVIL
After an awful start to the G1 we’ve seen Evil pick up a couple of crucial wins including a win over stablemate Kenta that left a lot more questions than answers. Juice on the hand has had a great start until defeat to Tanahashi. Evil needs a better tournament than Juice but does that mean Evil is going to win tonight? Perhaps but you can be sure Dick Togo will shove his nose into the match.
YOSHI-HASHI v Tetsuya Naito
Our IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Champion is relegated to the semi-main here against 2 pointed Yoshi-Hashi. Surprisingly, even on two points, Yoshi-Hashi is one of the standout performers of this G1. His stock has certainly rose. Naito on the other hand was going along nicely until Sanada beat him in a classic. I expect this match to also be a belter since Yoshi-Hashi has rediscovered his fire.
Hiroshi Tanahashi v KENTA
Last year, a pre-Bullet Club Kenta defeated the Ace at the G1 to, as WWE like to call these things, a “mixed” reception. Babyface Kenta was no returning hero to Japan. Fans of rival promotions are not always forgiving when it comes to wrestlers jumping ship. Kenta of course is a NOAH legend so his instant inclusion into the prestigious G1 Climax 29 didn’t go down well with the NJPW faithful. Even less so him beating the man who personified New Japan Pro Wrestling .
Over a year later and things are very different. Kenta is an undisputed git in Bullet Club. He embraced his role and managed to get nuclear heat from the traditionally more sedate Japanese crowds at the end of Wrestle Kingdom 14. Tana needs the win but Kenta will go to any lengths to win. Either way, this could be a classic.
Check out our official store at PRO WRESTLING TEES, show us your support and buy a shirt. You can visit our store by clicking here.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter @BodySlamNet and on Instagram @BodySlamDotNet
Also check us out on Facebook and give us a like and share by clicking HERE.
