G1 Climax: Every Modern Final Ranked
4. Kenny Omega Vs. Hirooki Goto (2016)
In 2016, Kenny Omega received the push of a lifetime. With New Japan losing Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles, Omega was slotted in as fresh main-eventer, culminating with him reaching the G1 Climax finals on his first go. His opponent? Hirooki Goto, who had won the A Block thanks to Okada and Tanahashi wrestling to a draw in their match. While fans were under no impression Goto had a chance of winning, he and Omega still put on a fun, heated encounter with great storytelling.
The main point of interest for this match was the frequent shift in crowd mood. Although Omega was the leader of New Japan's biggest heel faction, he was unanimously cheered at the start of the match, with any of Goto's offence getting booed. This was the early sign that Omega couldn't stay a heel forever. However, once Goto was able to muster a comeback, the crowd shifted back to his side. But Kenny wasn't going to stay down, and he hit Goto with a flurry of moves, including Kota Ibushi's Last Ride, Prince Devitt's Bloody Sunday, and the Styles Clash, before finally getting the One-Winged Angel for the victory.
If you thought Dave Meltzer was off his rocker for giving Goto-Omega from this year's G1 5 stars, but not this match, you're right to have questions. This was Omega's coming out party, and it's a great party all the way through.