After taking a few days to rest their battered bodies, the competitors in the G1 Climax were once again on the road. Night 8 took part in Hiroshima, a city that holds a special place in Tetsuya Naito’s heart as it was the place where he unveiled his “Destino” signature move. It would be him and Ishii in the main event as the G1 Climax came back to Hiroshima for the first time in 4 years.
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*****
Match 9: Tetsuya Naito defeated Tomohiro Ishii with a Destino
The match started off in a strong, hard-hitting fashion with a rough exchange in the middle of the ring. Naito was seeking to prove his strong-style chops against the modern master of the brawl. Ishii however was right in his element and ended-up getting the better of him. Naito decided to revert back to his more usual fast-paced aggressive “tranquilo” style which was much more successful and ended-up with Ishii spitting blood. Not to be out-done, Ishii too stepped up his game and unloaded a barrage of furious strikes and suplexes to overpower El Ingobernable. Naito answered with some of his most aggressive offense of this tournament. The action was fast & furious. As Naito pulled out all the stops, Ishii answered in kind and was able to pull through. The battle was intense in its heat and power. In the end though, it has Naito who emerged victorious and after a barrage of destino variants, he was able to survive the raw power of Ishii and and emerge victorious.
Match 8: Jay White defeated Jeff Cobb with a Bladerunner
Cobb was dominant early in the match. Jay’s early tactics to take him head on floundered somewhat and, sensing the need to change, he reverted to his usual dirty tactics attempting to weaken his opponent by using the ropes and submission holds to gain an advantage. Every time Cobb seemed to get ahead, White had an answer for his opponent. Cobb however was not to be taken lightly and just started tossing White around the ring at will. Cobb’s sheer strength was an advantage in and of itself as he was eventually able to just completely overpower his opponent. The wits of White were up against the sheer brawn of his opponent. White tried everything in his book but by the time Cobb did a deadlift superplex a devastated White was on his last legs. However, he was finally counter a Tour of the Islands into a blade runner.
Match 7: Jon Moxley defeated Shingo Takagi with a Texas Cloverleaf
The match started in violent fashion. Takagi was seeking to prove that he was able to hang with a powerful heavyweight like Jon Moxley and went after him full force. As they went to the outside though Moxley decided to start going after Takagi’s legs and started to take control of the match. Setting-up a table Moxley sought not only to defeat Takagi, but also to damage hum as much as possible. Takagi bearly escaped and, frustrated, Moxley started seriously going after Takagi’s left knee heavily damaging and slowing the dragon. From there Moxley went for a figure-4 leg lock and, as Takagi attempted to come back, it was obvious that the damage had taken its toll. Knowing that he was now hobbled, he attempted to get the win by turning another one of Moxley’s leg locks into an inside cradle. Takagi managed to come back and deliver a pumping bomber, but it was clear the damage was done and became even worse when he was sent through the table outside. From there Moxley started making judicious use of his Regal knee and despite an effort with a Made in Japan, Takagi eventually submitted to another figure Texas Cloverleaf.
Match 6: Taichi defeated Hirooki Goto with a Taichi-style Gedo clutch
Taichi went after Young Lion Karl Fredericks early and robbed him of his T-shirt to try and antagonize Goto, which worked a charm. Goto was furious with his attacks against Taichi. Once Taichi finally managed to escape he once again went after Fredericks and gained the upper hand by sending the unfortunate Young Lion into his opponent. The two then entered a brutal fight in the ring. Goto’s powerful chops & strikes did damage, but Taichi was strong. Both men had grown since their last meeting. When Taichi tried to regain control by taking off his trousers, Goto shifted into a new gear. Goto was linking Ushigoroshi into suplexes. Goto was utterly dominant over his opponent but Taichi manhandled the referee and eventually stole a win using his version of the Gedo clutch.
Match 5: Juice Robinson defeated Toru Yano with a Pulp Friction
