19 Ups & 4 Downs From NJPW G1 Climax 2019

16. Dragonslayer (Night 14)

Tetsuya Naito Shingo Takagi
NJPW

Tetsuya Naito will not taste a more hard-fought victory than that which he won against stablemate Shingo Takagi on night 14.

Bouts like this are why the G1 is so revered. More than a mere exhibition match, it played on the duo's years of history, stretching all the way back to their time training together in Animal Hamaguchi's gym back in 2004/2005. Positioned as a spoiler ready to end the Los Ingobernables de Japon's tournament prospects and a man running out of opportunities to prove he could make it as a heavyweight, Shingo, at his pal's behest, brought more thunder than he had in any other match up to that point, and though he lost, LIJ's 'Dragon' came out looking like a million dolllars.

Tomohiro Ishii vs. Toru Yano aside (strong style Yano is back, baby), the rest of the show wasn't up to scratch. Hirooki Goto vs. Jeff Cobb fit perfectly on both men's line of best fit for the tournament and Taichi vs. Juice Robinson was very Taichi. Jay White vs. Jon Moxley was fine, and Mox was protected in defeat, but not quite the compelling character battle it could have been.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.