10 LIVE Observations From NJPW's G1 Special In USA
8. Omega Is Alpha
There was perhaps nobody that fans in Long Beach wanted to see in action more than Kenny "The Cleaner" Omega, 2016's breakout star and one of the best wrestlers in the entire world. When Omega and Kazuchika Okada went to a 60-minute time limit draw at Dominion, many fans heading to G1 Special in USA undoubtedly thought they were going to see part three of the legendary rivalry.
That wasn't to be. Omega was announced as part of the U.S. Championship tournament, while Cody got the coveted title match with Okada. There was disappointment, to be sure, but after day one of the G1 Special, fans likely realized there was little to bemoan.
At the show, Omega and Michael Elgin fought in a tournament quarterfinal match that turned into an unexpected classic. Given their ladder match at last year's Dominion, everyone expected the bout to be great, but it still exceeded expectations, stealing the show. The two men pulled off some unique and bone-rattling spots (such as Elgin giving Omega a German suplex on the apron), and Omega sold his beating in spectacular fashion.
In the end, though, it was Omega who pulled off victory with the One-Winged Angel, ensuring more singles match greatness on day two.