7 Awesome Wrestling Matches (That The Critics Hated)
5. Kenny Omega Vs. Toru Yano - NJPW G1 Climax 2017 Day 6
"Ridiculous," is how Meltzer put it, awarding the match just one star. Davey Boy Smith Jr., overlooked for the G1 Climax tournament in which it was fought, was even less kind. He wrote it off as a load of cr*p.
Omega, in response, tweeted "What’s worse, successful comedy within the confines of a ring or a failed attempt at being entertaining while wrestling serious?"
This was a victory for the Cleaner, ultimately. Smith Jr. p*ssed off one of New Japan's top stars, which hardly helped his chances of entering the 2018 G1 Climax, and ultimately, it did not tarnish Omega's mega aura. Omega evolved from a ******1/4 to a ******* act over the next year.
Successful comedy was right, and it helped that Omega was so skilled and experienced in this regard. He leaned heavily into his former DDT self, completely hamming up his supposed terror in the face of the mischievous prankster that is Yano. Yano hid throwing salt in his ever-present DVD case, setting up an impeccable punchline in which Omega almost delivered the One-Winged Angel to referee Red Shoes. That was an absurd, silly and blackly comedic sight gag, given the deadly threat of the move and its helpless, utterly undeserving recipient. Even when he plays it one-dimensional, Omega has a way of finding layers.
Some deemed it offensive, especially in the context of the G1. But surely, Yano defeating Katsuyori Shibata in a nothing match - no comedy, no anything - was far more ridiculous.