10 Best Wrestling Matches Of The Week (July 29)

I really did not expect to be writing enthusiastically about Hiroyoshi Tenzan singles matches in 2016. Heck, I didn't expect to be writing about him at all, especially when his name was missing from the original list of G1 Climax participants. His old buddy Satoshi Kojima gave Tenzan his spot however, and the story of Tenzan has arguably been the highlight of the G1 so far.

The resurrection of Naomichi Marufuji as a top performer is close behind, and the battle between the two on night five of the G1 was the best match on a show that also featured Kazuchika Okada vs. Hirooki Goto. I'd go so far as to say this was the best match I've ever seen that was heavy on chops.

Yes, this match was full of the things, but holy moly were they ever so slightly more than chops. Marufuji has a reputation in that regard, and Tenzan too, so this almost became a battle of who will cave first.

But the real story is and was Tenzan, who is putting in his best performances in years. This match saw him pull out everything he could to avoid being taken down by the better man, including countering a kick by headbutting Marufuji's knee. No, that isn't a typo.

It all ended up being too much for the three-time winner of the tournament however, and Marufuji handed Tenzan his first defeat following a Shiranui.