10 LIVE Observations From The NJPW/ROH G1 Supercard

6. How To Work A Technical Match In Front Of An Arena

Kazuchika Okada
NJPW/ROH

What makes a pro wrestling master?

Hiroshi Tanahashi last night manipulated the reeling crowd into forgetting that they had just witnessed a G.O.A.T worked shoot. In minutes, his exquisite pure wrestling match opposite Zack Sabre, Jr. reprogrammed an entire crowd. I was very taken by this, and not least because I love Tanahashi so much that he is currently wearing a low-cut apron on my phone's background picture. I was also struck by just how much the crowd reacted to such intricate strategic limb work in an arena environment. Zack Sabre, Jr. drew a booming reaction by countering Tana's wicked dragon screw by twisting the tendons around his neck.

This was a low-key joy of a match received in high volume. Very good technical wrestling doesn't always get over in this context. The best technical wrestler on the planet sure as sh*t did.

The result was the brave move I expect of a company, too. Tanahashi is always fancied for the G1 Climax, and now, Zack has shot himself into the conversation.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!