First ever event in Yokohama Budokan sees last block action before final weekend

New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s first ever event at the brand new Yokohama Budokan this Wednesday October 14 will see critical B Block action ahead of the block finals on Saturday. With a crowded middle of the table, it’s still all to play for with only one member completely mathematically eliminated and every match on the card proving vital. 

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Hiroshi Tanahashi (3-4) vs SANADA (4-3)

Singles record: 2-2 G1 record 1-1

Tanahashi must win and have Naito and EVIL lose to have any chance. 

If SANADA loses and EVIL or Naito win, he is eliminated

SANADA’s second Yokohama main event in three years sees him face Hiroshi Tanahashi in a critical match, and one that on paper seems too hard to call. Cold Skull made an instant statement in his first G1 in 2016 by defeating the Ace, a win that Tanahashi was able to deliver a receipt for that November at Power Struggle. Three years on, they met twice again, SANADA defeating Tanahashi to move to the finals of the New Japan Cup before again being handed a receipt during the G1. 

Now SANADA and Tanahashi are effectively in a single elimination bout. For SANADA, a win means he’s in control of his own destiny, while Tanahashi needs help even with a victory; a loss and he’s out. For the two mentors of Keiji Muto, a classical battle surely awaits the Yokohama crowd; the question is whether SANADA can assume the mantle of genius and ascend to potential Ryogoku glory, or whether Tanahashi can once again assert his claim to the top. 

Hirooki Goto (4-3) vs EVIL (5-2)

Singles record: 3-2 Goto  

If EVIL wins and SANADA Naito and ZSJ all lose, he wins B Block 

Goto must win to remain in contention

Hirooki Goto has had a lot of experience with EVIL over the years. At Power Struggle in 2015, he was the King of Darkness’ very first singles opponent, a match he won, but via disqualification thanks to then pareja Tetsuya Naito’s interference. After the two hard hitters traded victories over the years, they came together most recently in the second round of the New Japan Cup, a match that EVIL emerged from victorious in controversial form, albeit before flying the BULLET CLUB colours and aligning himself with Dick Togo. 

Now against EVIL once more in Yokohama, does he have a chance? Certainly he was unable to best EVIL during the cup, and that was before the Spoiler Togo was present and ready to interfere whenever there was the slightest sign of danger for his charge. But then again, once should never discount Goto in the closing stages of any G1. While Ryogoku victory has evaded him for 12 years, Goto is almost always in the mix in the final stretch, and is inspired to his greatest performances, something that saw him as a rank outside competitor in the finals in 2016. Now Goto will absolutely do all it takes to keep his hope of the final shining bright. 

Toru Yano (3-4) vs Tetsuya Naito (5-2)

Singles record: 6-3 Naito G1 record 5-3 Naito

Naito heads the block, but has been pinned by EVIL. 

Yano must best Naito and have Goto beat EVIL to have any chance

Toru Yano’s G1 started in mighty form with three successive wins, but fell off a precipitous cliff from match four onward. Now with a negative record for the first time in his campaign, his chances of the final are painfully slim, and can only remain alive with a victory over Tetsuya Naito. 

Not like that’s impossible; the two men have met a remarkable eight times in the G1, and Yano has picked up three victories of those eight, and has an even record against the double IWGP Champion in Yokohama, a town where Yano is, on the whole, very successful. He is 6-4 in Yokohama, with wins in the last two years in the city spoiling chances for Taichi and Kenny Omega. 

Could Yano keep his hopes alive by beating Naito then? If he did, and EVIL were to lose to Goto tonight, things will be looking up for the master producer, with key tiebreakers in his pocket to boot. He’ll be pulling every trick out of his pocket, and every roll of tape out of his tights, to make sure that happens. 

Juice Robinson (3-4) vs Zack Sabre Junior (4-3)

Singles record: 2-0 ZSJ G1 record 1-0 ZSJ

If Zack Sabre Junior loses and Naito wins, he is eliminated

Juice is effectively eliminated

Juice Robinson’s narrow defeat to SANADA in Aichi this weekend effectively sealed his chances of making it to the G1 finals; although he could theoretically make it to a ten point standard, his losses to Tanahashi, Naito EVIL and SANADA will seal his fate in tiebreakers. The best he could hope for is a chaotic mix of draws and no contests, but for Robinson a greater pride takes precedent; not to lift the trophy but just to make his G1 record of ten points means the world to him. 

Making that standard of a positive win/loss record will also likely result in the end of the line for Zack Sabre Junior. An early tournament win over EVIL is certainly something important for the Briton to keep in his back pocket, but the fact remains he needs to win and still have some help to be in the running this weekend. The record between the two competitors is certainly in Sabre’s favour, with a 2018 G1 victory and a win in the inaugural IWGP US Heavyweight Champion determining tournament. There’s also the matter of Pulp Friction, a hold Juice has consistently failed to land in his recent matches, all with direct counters leading to defeat. If anyone can read an opponent’s game plan it’s ZSJ; could Robinson have an extra tactic up his metaphorical sleeve for Yokohama?

YOSHI-HASHI (1-6) vs KENTA (3-4)

Singles record 1-0 KENTA

KENTA must win and have EVIL and Naito lose.

YOSHI-HASHI is mathematically eliminated

KENTA broke a long losing streak and a curse with the NJPW World cameraman this weekend in Aichi to move to three wins and four losses. It’s a tall order indeed for KENTA to make the finals, and he will need a crowded house at the top of the table, with his final match Saturday against Naito also coming into play.

For now, he needs to get past YOSHI-HASHI, whose G1 campaign has been full of stellar performances and disappointing results. A last spurt will help how the Headhunter is perceived post tournament though, and memories of a crushing defeat in New York last year for the NEVER Openweight Championship will be encouragement for revenge. 

Yota Tsuji (4-4-2 this tour) vs Yuya Uemura (5-4-1 this tour)

Singles record: 10-7-22 Tsuji (2-2-1 this tour)

Tsuji and Uemura kick off the action in Tsuji’s home town of Yokohama completely even at 2-2-1 in this tour. With all three Young Lions so evenly matches after 15 events, this is the last chance for one of the Noge Dojo rivals to assert superiority over the other. Tsuji made his home town debut last year in the G1 Climax, in a match that saw he and Uemura team together in a losing effort against the now graduated to excursion Ren Narita and Shota Uemura. Appropriately as both men seek to prove they are worthy to take their own next steps, they now compete head to head.