New Japan Pro Wrestling - G1 Climax 23 Nights 3 & 4 Review

The 23rd G1 Climax rolls on!

NJPW G1 Climax 2013: Night Three
Nagoya, Japan 8/3/13

1.) G1 Climax - Block B - Kota Ibushi vs. "The Machine Gun" Karl Anderson: ***1/4

2.) G1 Climax - Block B - Yujiro Takahashi vs. Shelton "X" Benjamin: **1/4

3.) G1 Climax - Block A - Tomohiro Ishii vs. Prince Devitt: ***1/2

4.) G1 Climax - Block B - Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. Minoru Suzuki: **1/2

5.) G1 Climax - Block B - Yuji Nagata vs. Tetsuya Naito: ***1/2

6.) G1 Climax - Block A - Kazuchika Okada vs. Lance Archer: ***1/2

7.) G1 Climax - Block B - Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Toru Yano: **3/4

8.) G1 Climax - Block A - Hirooki Goto vs. Satoshi Kojima: ***1/2

9.) G1 Climax - Block A - Togi Makabe vs. Katsuyori Shibata: ***1/4

10.) G1 Climax - Block A - Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.: ***3/4

Overall: 7.25/10

This was not the best show of the tournament, but at the same time it wasn't the worst either. Tanahashi once again showed why he's one of the top stars in Japanese Wrestling by having another Match of the Night. Smith & Archer both continue to impress as well. At the same time, though, you can tell which guys are lacking. Tenzan has not been impressive at all and the same can be said for Yano. Benjamin I think is hit or miss, depending on who he's facing. Overall, I'd say this was a good show, but not one you need to go out of your way to see.

NJPW G1 Climax 2013: Night Four
Osaka, Japan 8/4/13

1.) G1 Climax - Block B - Toru Yano vs. Yujiro Takahashi: **3/4

2.) G1 Climax - Block B - Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs. "The Machine Gun" Karl Anderson: ***1/4

3.) G1 Climax - Block B - Yuji Nagata vs. Shelton "X" Benjamin: ***1/4

4.) G1 Climax - Block A - Satoshi Kojima vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.: ***1/2

5.) G1 Climax - Block A - Tomohiro Ishii vs. Katsuyori Shibata: ****3/4

6.) G1 Climax - Block A - Hirooki Goto vs. Lance Archer: ***1/2

7.) G1 Climax - Block B - Tetsuya Naito vs. Minoru Suzuki: ***1/2

8.) G1 Climax - Block A - Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Prince Devitt: ***3/4

9.) G1 Climax - Block A - Togi Makabe vs. Kazuchika Okada: ***3/4

10.) G1 Climax - Block B - Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kota Ibushi: ****1/2

Overall: 9.25/10

This just wasn't one of New Japan's best shows of the year, but one of the best shows in wrestling in all of 2013. Ishii & Shibata absolutely stole the show with a phenomenal match that saw the two of them just kick the tar out of each other for fifteen minutes. Right behind them though is the main event, which saw Nakamura (who has easily become my favorite New Japan star) & Ibushi put on a great main event. Not only were those two matches just insanely good, but almost the whole rest of the card was great as well. Their really is not a single bad match on here and it showcased all the things that make New Japan so awesome. Simply put....you need to go see this show right now!! You will not be disappointed.