[2016-07-18-NJPW-G1 Climax] Kazuchika Okada vs Naomichi Marufuji

[Superstar Sleeze]

Kazuchika Okada vs Naomichi Marufuji - NJPW G1 Climax 7/18/16

Will wonders ever cease? Marufuji is one of my least favorite wrestlers. Is he the one I have to blame for those terrible Question Mark Kicks? Okada is someone I think who can be carried to a great match but not someone I expect to have a great match when I think he is better wrestler. Well KO and behold this is a great match But the catch is my Okada Theory holds true Marufuji was the better wrestler on thsi night.

Pretty standard Okada opening he goes to set Marufuji on the top rope for his dropkick but Marufuji kicks him off and like Ohtani/Samurai crashes down on Okada’s arm as he is holding the top rope. They never look back. Okada’s selling is pretty good and consistent throughout which is his contribution to the match but Marufuji runs this match like a pro through the arm. Really enjoyed the outside Arm work to establish Okada’s bad wing with the post and railing. Okada seems to get the advantage when he puts Marufuji in motion back body drop and Flapjack but it is never for long as Marufuji just keeps working that arm. There is a great slingshot over the top rope crashing down on the arm to the floor loved it. Marufuji wrestled this match weighty as a heavyweight and kept his annoying junior tendencies of the 2000s to a minimum. Even though the obligatory strike exchange is better because Okada crumples to the match because of his bad wing. Oh interesting note they worked the right arm which is Okada’s dominant Arm his Rainmaker arm. Great springboard dropkick to the arm. Really crashing into it. Marufuji goes for Sliced Bread twice and both times fails why because he deviated from his strategy gave his back to his opponent and gave Okada precious space. Loved that psychology. The first time Okada hit White Noise and Top Rope Elbow but the bad arm! Grits his teeth through a tough RAINMAKER POSE~! What a hero But Cant hit the Rainmaker and Marufuji goes back to Sliced Bread this time we do get the Dropkick to the Back on top rope. Nice how they worked that in there. Goes for the Tombstone, nope! DROPKICK~! Can The Champ pull out the Rainmaker Nope KNEE TO THE BAD ARM! Ugh question mark kick and knee to head! Crazy Emerald Flowsion thing for Marufuji the win! Shock upset to start the G1 Climax over the reigning Champion! Great finish!

2016 is all about heating up new challengers now obviously Thats Omega and Naito but they needed one challenger for October and who better than an outside invader with some name cache who wins one match at G1 Climax and bang you got yourself and October Title Defense Main Event! Great booking! Such a great first match. No Rainmaker. No Sliced Bread. So you leave yourself a lot to work with on the rematch. Arm psychology was great and the finish run was efficient and logical! Awesome match! **** 1/4