With the dust settling on the finale of another G1 Climax, there are many who feel upset or disappointed with the outcome. To many, Naito not even making the Final is another in a long line of injustices that he’s endured since his return. This opinion is not without merit as Naito’s popularity has continued to soar over the years.
But let’s take a step back for a moment and consider the current landscape within New Japan. It’s one that shifted significantly with the announcement of Ibushi finally signing a long term contract to finish his career with the company. At the time, Wilf (@Wilfamura on the Twitter) stated this would have a detrimental impact Naito’s position within the company. Myself, and I suspected many others, felt this was hyperbole as there is room for more than three megastars at the top of the card. However, as the months past this slowly became a reality. And upon reflection it’s the correct direction for New Japan to take at this time.
First, let’s take a look at Ibushi’s place in this G1 Final. I have seen some complain this is New Japan trying make Ibushi the new Ace, which couldn’t be further from the truth. At age 37 and with the mileage on his body, Ibushi will never supplant Okada regardless of his popularity. No, the story here is of the wild child finally living up to his potential. It’s a story that has fascinated New Japan crowds for years. We’ve seen Ibushi come tantalisingly close to realising the dream many have for him. Only for any momentum to be stifled due to his lack of commitment to New Japan.
Now, in 2019, NJPW finally has a focused and committed Ibushi to work with. And at the age of 37, the time is definitely now for them to push Ibushi into the spotlight. What better way to finish this fairy tale of a story than at arguably the biggest show they’ve ever produced? Yes, you can make the argument for Ibushi needing a stronger pre-G1 build. However, three of his final four G1 matches have been significant milestones for Ibushi. First, he beats one of his idols in Tanahashi and gains retribution for the loss he suffered at his hands in last year’s Final. Then the match against Okada proved that he could beat one of the greatest wrestlers on the planet while solidifying him as a true treat to Okada’s reign. All that was needed to complete his run was the ultimate heel to vanquish. In steps Jay White.
I’ve been very critical of how Jay was booked post-IWGP Heavyweight title reign and still stand by those statements. The chicken shit heel version of Jay did absolutely nothing for me and made many of his wins feel cheap. He’s far more suited to being the cold, calculated, master manipulator who knows how to get under your skin and wrestle his style of match. You hate him because he’s that damn good and he lets you know it. Thankfully, we saw the return of this version of the Switchblade in his final two G1 matches.
Against Naito, we saw two of the finest storytellers produce a deep, complex and compelling match that had Budokan rocking. More importantly, Jay was able to beat Naito with little interference from Gedo. Yes he still became involved in the match but Naito was more than ready with an answer and didn’t cheapen Jay’s win. A win that was the right call at the right time for many reasons.
Firstly, the crowd reaction after Jay’s win was incredible. You can argue that the reaction Naito garners from fans should solidify his position at the top of the card and justify him beating White. However, no one is able to manipulate a crowd and generate heat quite like White. The boos for White were just as deafening as the cheers for Naito. It demonstrates the star power White has as the ultimate heel. A character that New Japan is in very short supply of. Secondly, the win meant far more to White than it did for Naito. It helped to repair some of the damage inflicted after White lost the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Finally, it sets up a future programme with Naito for the IC title.
So the stage was set, the ultimate babyface against the ultimate heel. The Golden Star fighting against all the odds to overcome years of frustration. This is why White was the perfect opponent for Ibushi on this night. From their philosophies to their values to how they approach matches, White and Ibushi are polar opposites. Yes, a match against Naito would have been entertaining as the two of them have wonderful chemistry together. But it wouldn’t have told the story New Japan has been building to. Naito can work as a heel but he wouldn’t have received the reaction White did during the course of the match. In fact, some might have booed an Ibushi win if it had been against Naito. That is certainly not the closing image you want. Whereas a win over White is a result that the vast majority will cheer.
White’s G1 moment will come and it will be sooner rather than later. As we build towards Wrestle Kingdom, his sights will be set firmly on Naito’s IC title. A scene that has been in desperate need of a refresh for months now. A long title reign for White would be the perfect set up to a potential G1 win next year while continuing to rebuild his reputation. These final two matches have proven that he deserves to be in the position he currently is. If you don’t agree or at least acknowledge this, then you decided long ago not to like White regardless of his abilities.
As for Ibushi, he’s poised to complete a story that is years in the making. It’s a story that can’t wait another two to three years to reach its conclusion. The time is now and the time is right for it to happen. Two very interesting challengers await Ibushi in a now Bullet Club aligned KENTA and a possibly desperate EVIL. Both will provide compelling matches that will continue to feed into the story of Ibushi overcoming all the odds to vanquish past demons.
In the end, this G1 Climax Final was everything it needed to be and more. We saw a young star regain his moment and a veteran finally fulfil his potential. It built on existing stories while providing new ones on the road to Wrestle Kingdom. Ultimately, that is what the G1 is about.
Fighting Fullosophy 