August 4th, 2013 – NJPW fans witnessed one of the best matches in company history when Tomohiro Ishii met Katsuyori Shibata in the G1 Climax. Instant hard hitting violence and a breakneck pace would make the match universally loved, and now nearly a decade later – we could see the same thing happen again. Ishii remains active full-time on the NJPW roster, but Shibata was medically retired for a few years after a match with Kazuchika Okada.
But during his time away from the ring – he’d train Ren Narita to become the Son Of Strong Style. In the first singles match since he returned from excursion with that moniker, Narita goes one on one with The Stone Pitbull, with a fifteen minute time limit as the first round of the NJPW World Television Championship tournament comes to an end.
Instant Violence Follows The Ring Bell
As the bell rang, they’d rush into each other with shoulder tackles – before Narita fought Shibata into the corner with forearm smashes. Ishii fought back, only to take the jumping big boot in the corner. A snapmare put Ishii on the mat, but a kick to the back just pissed him off.
Narita would push Ishii into the corner and choke him with both boots, before some mocking kicks to the head. Ishii would take two slaps to the face and rock Narita with one in return before a Tenyru style barrage of chops and elbow smashes in the corner. Narita would take the chops from Ishii, chest already turning red – but wanting to prove his toughness.
He’d crumble into the corner before long, but was able to get up. Ishii would be thrown into the corner, and Narita would catch him with an overhead Belly to Belly Suplex. Running back elbow was followed with Half Hatch Suplex, but Ishii kicked out of the following pinfall at two. Narita would apply the Cobra Twist in the middle of the ring, but Ishii broke free and hit a backdrop driver.
Ishii wouldn’t get to follow up before Narita was back on his feet, and nailed Ishii with a backdrop driver of his own and applied the cross armbreaker. Narita would give up the hold as Ishii fought to prevent the full extension, before hitting a kick straight to the chest – causing Ishii to fold.
Two more kicks would follow to a kneeling Ishii, but everything following the third just pissed Ishii off and had him headbutt Narita in the throat. Throat chops in the corner would follow, something that even Shibata couldn’t prepare his pupil for.
Ren Narita Proves He’s No Longer A Young Lion
Narita would avoid a powerbomb attempt, but missed the head kick – allowing Ishii to nail a German Suplex. Ishii hit the ropes with a lariat in mind, but was caught with a spinning heel kick from Narita instead. They’d exchange palm strikes in the middle of the ring, with Narita winning out and applying a sleeper hold after Ishii turned in response to the last blow.
Ishii would reach out for the bottom rope, but Narita would move into a Cobra Twist before just hitting a German Suplex. Narita sent Ishii off the ropes, only for The Stone Pitbull to thrust himself forward and nearly knock Narita to the floor. A lariat in the corner would see Narita fire up, before Ishii nailed a powerbomb for a near fall.
Narita would hit an elbow smash to the jaw, before pulling down the shin pad. The PK would be blocked, as Ishii hit two hard lariats for another near fall. Time was running out on this match, and Ishii knew it- and looked for the Vertical Drop Brainbuster. Narita would counter and apply the cross armbreaker, able to get the full extension – but Ishii fought to get foot on the ropes.
Ishii blocked a kick with a lariat, before a headbutt to the jaw rocked Narita. Sliding lariat was avoided, before the double arm suplex for a two count. Narita Special IV was blocked with more headbutts, before Ishii hit an enziguri to set up the sliding lariat. Brainbuster was attempted again, but Narita blocked and hit the head kick before Narita Special IV for the victory.
Will Ren Narita be the first ever NJPW World Television Champion? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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