[2017-07-26-NJPW-G1 Climax] Tomohiro Ishii vs YOSHI-HASHI

[bradhindsight]

Talk about it here.

 

PTBN review:

 

 

They got into a battle of elbows early on, won by Ishii, and he used a shoulder block to down Yoshi. Chops came next, with Yoshi faring better this time, but he again ended up floored by a shoulder block. Ishii stayed on top with more chops and elbows in the corner, as well as some dismissive slaps, but it was these that fired Yoshi up, and he hit the running blockbuster soon after. Rope-hung dropkick for two. He landed a bunch of step kicks, which only succeeded in pissing Ishii off, and despite Yoshi’s best efforts, Ishii nailed him several nasty chops to the throat. Yoshi was able to strike back with kicks, and hit a spin-out facebuster for two, but Ishii’s backdrop turned the tide. Up top, and Ishii connected with the superplex – two-count only. German suplex from Ishii, lariat ducked, lariat from Yoshi! Yoshi headed to the top-rope and the swanton hit the mark! Two-count only. He cinched in the Butterfly Lock, and dragged Ishii back to the middle of the ring, but an outstretched foot got the rope-break. Karma was blocked, but the backstabber landed, and double knees earned a near-fall. Ishii countered another Karma attempt to a DDT and both men struggled to their feet. Lariat from Ishii, followed by a folding powerbomb pin for two. Yoshi with a lariat – another two-count. Elbows from Ishii, slaps from Yoshi, headbutts from both men and Ishii clocked Yoshi to knock him down! Sliding lariat – one, two, no! Brainbuster for the win! This started slow, but built effectively to a strong finish and everything from the halfway mark was very good. ***1/2

 

[William Bologna]

Hot stuff. Yoshi-Hashi doesn't bring much to the table other than a midlife crisis haircut and general air of trying too hard, but he did enough here. Ishii is an absolute master of professional wrestling.

[soup23]

Here is where my credibility issues throughout the tournament come to a head. YH got WAY too much offense in throughout this match and actually felt like the dominant competitor for most of it which was so wonky from a psychology standpoint. To make matters worse, while it would be a stretch if he was focused on a body part or some other factor that causes him to take this much of a match, I could accept that. Instead, YH goes 50/50 on most strike exchanges and uses some pretty pitiful looking forearms and Kawada kicks throughout this one. The finishing stretch was more about YH being able to survive the onslaught from Ishii which is an improvement but he still got in too many spots including his submission which gets drug out forever and some fluke lariats. Ishii is able to win with a brainbuster but this was the most frustrating G1 match so far. **1/2