Overall quality this year was higher by default since there were actually 2 blocks this year
but nothing hit the highs that Ibushi/Ishii, Kenny/Ishii, and Ibushi/Tanahashi hit last year. Looking back now knowing where everything went and where they're going, some weird shyt pops up in my mind:
Archer kicking out of Kamagoya. Obviously, even with his impressive run, Archer isn't getting any kind of serious run up the card, and him kicking out puts him above Tanahashi (the man the move was made for/named after), while also putting him on the same level as Okada and Jay White, and Jay White kicking out was diminished by two guys (one being a US title challenger at most) kicking out of it in the tournament. I get Okada kicking out of it, but really it probably should have been saved for White kicking out in the finals, or better yet not until Okada/Ibushi at the Dome. Actually Archer had the LOWEST POINTS TOTAL OF ANYONE lmao.
Ospreay going over Tanahashi decisively kind of took away from Ibushi finally beating him, to some degree in my mind. With the junior champion murdering Tana, I feel like it officially puts Tanahashi in the NJPW Dads stable and makes Ibushi's win over him seem less important and impressive. Also makes me think who the fukk could possibly be a legit challenger to Ospreay the rest of the year considering he's going over GOAT-tier heavyweights in the G1. Then again, Ospreay started off the year not only decisively beating Ibushi, but also putting him on the shelf for 3 months. Midas swell have whoever wins the Super J Cup take the title off Ospreay and move him to heavyweight officially like Shingo.
Jon Moxley starting off so hot and coming off like a superstar and then by the end he was goofy ass Dean Ambrose doing stupid shyt, acting like an idiot, and having no energy or passion left. It seemed like he was a surefire killer and top guy immediately, but by the end of the G1 it was pretty clear he was just around to swap the US title before AEW TV starts. Losing his last 4 after such a strong start and seeming completely wore out, even the crowd reaction on the finals was fairly indifferent after it seemed like he was the biggest star around the first few matches.
Jay White's comeback run mostly because it didn't feel like a comeback at all, it just felt like "oh really this is the bullshyt we're getting?"
and everyone groaning that Gedo's new toy gets put into another position no one wants him in. Moxley completely collapsing and Naito being booked like the new Goto was more key in White getting to the finals than White himself. People just do not react to anything he does except when it's Bullet Club bullshyt interference, the reactions are
because people were sick of that in 2013. His role in the finals match could have been anyone in that spot, and that's how I feel in literally every match he's in. I also think trolling the fans is the cheapest, worst kind of way to get heel heat and is especially ill-fitting in the sport focused NJPW.
Why have Sanada finally get his big win over Okada when he was going to be such a middle of the back "these guys don't matter" point total? Felt like a real waste of an opportunity for him to headline a show with Okada, finally end his losing streak against him...just to be tied with 13 other people
It's not even like Sanada was in contention to maybe win his block or anything. It should have been saved for a year where he was going to win the G1 or go to the finals.
I'm not convinced that Jay White doesn't win the briefcase and end up in the main event of WK anyway
. He meant business when he came through
. I wonder if he's actually back or was just doing what he could to get the heel turn over.
at him for the most part
at Meltzer and his bullshyt
to Ibushi 
Gedo should get on that asap and make sure you are all happy 
- there's a NOAH tournament starting next week? 
kind of lazy booking but I guess its not easy to book g1
