NJPW G1 Climax 2019 Night 7 (July 20) - A BLOCK: Every Match Ranked From Worst To Best
3. KENTA Vs. EVIL
KENTA's seemingly inexorable march to the summit of New Japan Pro Wrestling continued with a powerful victory over EVIL in a match substantially better than any superfan of either could have imagined when the blocks were first announced.
A fight into the crowd (for the second time on the night) midway through the match could have appeared slightly artless, but the fight over a suplex added additional drama to a contest already loaded with heft after the pair traded EVIL's eye make-up in the first act. The fiercely-protected Go2Sleep was again employed to devastating effect, along with kicks delivered with the growing confidence of a wrestler reborn.
KENTA, like Jon Moxley, is embarrassing WWE's processes in kayfabe and real life at present. He tops his block thanks to the booker's pencil, but is believable in the spot because he continues to portray the most violent and vicious version of himself as and when required. This system - itself a controversial choice for a NOAH legend - is suiting him.
Fellow unbeaten A Block star and current IWGP Champion Kazuchika Okada is perhaps the biggest test of all either side of a fictional narrative awaits next. The G1 is f*cking brilliant.