The show is underway, it's just mid-way through Naito/Ibushi of this post.

The show started with Moxley making short work of Umino. It's pretty rare to see such a short match, especially on a show like Dominion.

Ishii regained the NEVER title after Taichi got his little push heading into the G-1.

The Tongans retained the tag team titles in the one division even NJPW purists can't care about.

Ospreay defeated Dragon Lee in another high calibre Ospreay showcase. Ospreay has strengthened his case for wrestler of the year.

Just tuned back in and Naito has regained the Intercontinental Championship.

Time for Kota to go one step further this G-1.

Ibushi vs. Jericho.

Let it happen.

No Judas for the NJPW live feed, AEW: 1, NJPW: 0.

The match has been well laid out so far. Okada did his signature 'collar-elbow break' spot on the ropes, where Jericho caught him with an eye poke. Okada was in control until Jericho brushed a missile dropkick and locked in the Walls.

Now the match has become a typical Jericho NJPW brawl. Jericho spiked Okada on the table with a DDT and has continued to dominate the champion.

Jericho really working the crowd and they're biting on everything. Jericho with a basic drop-kick got a healthy reaction.

Okada leaping over the barricade is like Flair coming off the top rope. Nice variation with Jericho hitting a (awkward) looking Codebreaker.

Don just called Red Shoes a pussy for over-selling Jericho's choke.

After surviving another Walls of Jericho attempt, Okada is mounting a comeback.

Here comes a Rainmaker, no, Jericho with an underhook powerbomb pin.

Rainmaker attempt no. 2 is countered by an enzuguri.

Codebreaker by Jericho. Okada kicks out at 2.99

Jericho then threw the corner ring protector at the commentary booth and audibly said 'oh shit'.

Jericho attempts a Rainmaker, Okada dodges and hits a Codebreaker for a 2 count.

Rainmaker attempt no. 3, Jericho spins out and locks in a Walls of Jericho for a third time and Okada eventually spins out of it.

Jericho attempts a Judas Effect, Okada ducks it, Jericho attempts a Codebreaker, Okada captures him, rolls him up and pins him.

Jericho is rabbit punching Okada, as the Rainmaker theme blares out around the arena.

Jericho is attacking Okada with a steel chair and he just laid him out with a Judas Effect.

Jericho wrapped a steel chair around Okada's head and just rammed him into a ring-post.

Tanahashi who was at the commentary booth has seen enough and is coming after Jericho. Jesus Tana, admit it, you enjoyed some of that beat-down.

Crowd is going ape as the show comes to a crawl.

Overall, I thought Okada looked good working a more American style. He worked at a slower clip than normal, with Jericho filling all the gaps and the finish of the match was really good. Jericho had the Rainmaker scouted, so Okada pulling a Bret on Jericho was appropos. Tana waited an age to come to Okada's defence, I'm pretty sure Okada's larynx is destroyed, but Tana-Jericho is the one Jericho match we've been looking forward to.

I didn't see Naito/Ibushi or Dragon/Ospreay, but I heard they were the MotN. Check out the final three matches if you can.

Moxley vs Shota Umino and Shingo vs Kojima were fun opening matches. The former was a squash match, which you rarely see in NJPW, but it was a good 'un. The second was Shingo's first match against a heavyweight. Granted, Kojima is far past his prime, but it's the first time Shingo has wrestled someone he doesn't clearly outsize, so it was a unique challenge that they presented very well. Shingo looked to be on the back foot for a while but his youthful vigour eventually led him to prevail.

After their matches, both Moxley and Takagi announced their intention to compete in the G1 Climax. Having just finished the Best of Super Juniors, Shingo is fully aware of what to expect from a long round robin tournament. Moxley is not really aware of what he's getting himself into. Both guys will be interesting wildcards to keep an eye on.

Taichi vs Ishii was a much lesser version of their New Japan Cup match from earlier in the year. I'm hoping for a long NEVER reign for Ishii. That belt has been passed around way too much.

EVIL/SANADA vs Guerrillas of Destiny was not very good.

That's where I'm at.

Shibata's music just hit. Is he introducing Ospreay?

WHAT THE FUCK IT'S KENTA

KENTA

KENTA IS IN NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING

KENTA IS IN THE G1 CLIMAX!!!!!!

Reddit is in meltdown over the Jericho/Okada ending.

It was certainly slower pace than other modern matches, but I didn't think it was horrible or anything.

Jun 9, 2019 11:13:47 GMT Emperor said:

KENTA IS IN THE G1 CLIMAX!!!!!!

This except Molly is Emperor and KENTA is Michael Schoeffling.

What a time to be alive.

KENTA vs. Jay White ********** 1/2

Naito vs Ibushi was amazing. Best match of their series this year. The match was a little on the excessive side, because that's what they do, but with the greater match length time afforded to them compared to previous bouts, the high spots had more time to breathe and the match benefited hugely as a result.

Okada vs Jericho was a downer to be honest. Didn't feel like an epic Dominion main event at all. Jericho's style worked with Naito, Omega, and even EVIL, but to me Jericho and Okada didn't click at all. That said, Jericho's heeling was entertaining, and Okada was great as always as the fiery babyface, but the closing stretch lacked drama. They tried to make it as though Okada was in real danger, but I never really believed it, so the desperate rollup victory didn't have the desired effect. I did like how Jericho ruined the typical babyface celebration ending with a post-match attack and sowing the seeds for Jericho vs Tanahashi down the line. That was a nice touch. Something different. Shame the match was lousy.

Anyway, the next G1 has the potential to be the best ever. With three new promising guys entering, you can throw out the dead weight like Tama Tonga and almost all matches have tournament stealing potential.

Jun 9, 2019 11:29:49 GMT Big Pete said:

Jun 9, 2019 11:13:47 GMT Emperor said:

KENTA IS IN THE G1 CLIMAX!!!!!!

This except Molly is Emperor and KENTA is Michael Schoeffling.

What a time to be alive.

KENTA vs. Jay White ********** 1/2

I don't understand the reference, but I agree nonetheless.

KENTA: Happy Birthday, Emperor. Now make a wish.
Emperor: It already came true

Absolutely thrilled to see KENTA entering the G1. I had a feeling it was coming but was also thinking he might just take time off and/or go back to NOAH. But then he shows up in NJPW the same night as the Misawa anniversary show. :lol:

Marufuji tweeted about it and he’s not happy. Then I read the issue was money and NOAH couldn’t pay him enough. Honestly good for KENTA. Going back to NOAH would be silly. He’s worth more than they can pay him and they’re bush league compared to New Japan. Glad he’s there and IN THE GOD DAMN G1 WOOOOOO

And so is Moxley!

And Ibushi didn’t die!

And Ospreay might literally be a superhero!

Really good show overall. The tag title match was very disappointing and Jericho has definitely slowed down compared to last year, but the rest of the show was great.

I don't know what's funnier, sandwiching "Gentleman" between "International Purveyor of Violence" and "All-around sick sunnuvabitch", or literally everything with Shota.

Jun 10, 2019 5:58:15 GMT KITN said:

I don't know what's funnier, sandwiching "Gentleman" between "International Purveyor of Violence" and "All-around sick sunnuvabitch", or literally everything with Shota.

There's a screenshot on wreddit of Moxley holding up Shota while giving his post-match presser and it's one of the funniest wrestling-related things I've ever seen. I can't link it as I'm at work at the moment but it's pretty easy to find if you go there.

People are speculating that since Moxley is in the G1 he'll need tag team partners for his off nights and he's just going to collect Young Lions that he beat the shit out of and honestly if that's the route they go I'm 1,000% on board.