[1996-08-06-NJPW-G1 Climax] Riki Choshu vs Masa Chono

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

This match shows me how well-booked this tournament was. Chono knows his role well and continues to heel it up. Great past vs present dynamic with Chono dominating and Choshu selling most of the way. I love Fujinami at ringside slapping Choshu around to try to get him back into it, with the crowd loudly chanting his name. Choshu locks on the scorpion, which no one buys as the finish, probably because Choshu had taken so much punishment and Chono had taken so little. The second time he does, he gets a little more heat than before, as he gives him a great lariat first, but the finish still seems anti-climatic because it was unexpected. Still, great ending to a good tournament.

[Zenjo]

Earlier in the card Chono had gone through a 25m war whereas Choshu was coming in fresh. Because of Chono's exceptional G-1 record and better conditioning it was well set up for the final though. He beat on the veteran for a while which got the crowd going. When the counter attack came it was decisive, as Riki Lariato wins his only Climax. A highly popular decision it was too in a very well booked tournament. There were heated rivalries built up for the coming months, classic rivalries revisited, injuries being perfectly utilised for storyline purposes, as well as plenty of upsets and surprises. It was a huge commercial success too. These days not even Sumo can pack the Ryogoku Kokugikan 5 days in a row.

[PeteF3]

Definitely the best G1 since '91, and the most wide-open tournament since then. Great old vs. new vibe here with Fujinami in Choshu's corner, and the old dog managing to pull out the win really feels earned, as opposed to a booker jacking off.

[soup23]

Pretty beautiful pro wrestling match showing the old guard rising up one more time against the king of the G-1. Chono was dominant on top and really put Choshu against the odds. Fujinami slapping him around was a great moment and the eruption at the submission on the scorpion was highly rewarding. The last two matches really made the G-1 feel great overall. ***3/4

[tim]

It's been one hell of a G1 and at this point I'm actually sucked into the gravitas of this being the final. As far as the work goes, I don't really think this was that good -- but it doesn't really matter, the atmosphere and crowd heat carry it. Fujinami firing Choshu up was one hell of a high spot and Choshu's comeback worked really well. Nice feel-good post-match celebration.

[Superstar Sleeze]

Riki Choshu vs Masahiro Chono - NJPW G-1 Climax Finals 8/6/96

Riki is a Punk Rocker; Riki is a Punk Rocket; Riki is a Punk Rocker. When All Japan went progressive, Choshu & New Japan keeps it short, sweet and packing a punch. I have seen the famous CHOSHUUUUUU match many years ago which I love. Never really much hype for the Final but it is a great match but it only really works with Choshu the old gunslinger in one last shootout at the OK Corral. This is about as Hollywood Cinematic as wrestling gets and still works. Something magical about the 20th Century.

Chono is NOT a favorite of mine. He is serviceable here. He plays the Heel well as he is a Wolf 4 Life here. This is all Choshu’s charisma and a lifetime of work elevating this match and this tournament. Chono bum rushes him to start even attempts to slap on the Scorpion on its maker. Reverse Atomic Drop. CHOSHU HAS BALLS OF STEEL!!! This match is all Testicles and I love it. He drops Chono on his head three times with Saito Suplexes before they take their toll. Choshu starts to clubber. Chono goes low and attacks the injured knee of Choshu. It is all Hollywood after that. Can the old timer be as good as he was once was one more time? STFs, piledrivers and slaps by old rival turned respectful peer Fujinami stoke anticipation of the crowd and me thirty years later to see a THUNDEROUS CHOSHU LARIAT! BANG~! I am popping the crowd is popping, youre popping ready this dont show this to my wife my baby might pop out and I am not ready yet! THUNDER STRIKES AGAIN! AGAIN! SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Old Gunslinger, the Punk Rocker does it again! Fuck yeah! ****