The G1 Climax 32 kicked off with intense heat - no pun intended due to Japan having their summer weather right now - with 4 really great matches to start off the opening night for free at NJPWWorld.com on July 16, 2022.
Time stamps plus summary.
Match 1: C Block
Aaron Henare vs Tanahashi - 6:02 - 14:33
When Aaron Henare arrived at NJPW, he was under the name Toa Henare. He went through the Dojo system and graduated. Henare was then placed with Main Corps which includes Tanahashi. Tanahashi has a different ideology than most wrestlers when it comes to the psychology and in-ring style for wrestling. Those teachings didn’t work for Henare and finally broke away to join United Empire.
Henare vs Tanahashi was a hard-hitting match. Tanahashi didn’t know how to deal with Henare’s new added muscle. Tanahashi put up a wonderful offense - that Tanahashi special but Henare was able to overpower Tanahashi.
Winner: Henare
Aaron Henare = 2 points
Tanahashi = 0 point
Match 2: D Block
El Phantasmo vs Will Ospreay (IWGP US Heavyweight Champion) - 14:33 - 22:41
El Phantasmo created a joke about how Will Ospreay looks during the G1 Climax 32 Press Conference. Will Ospreay wasn’t playing any games fighting El Phantasmo. El Phantasmo tried his shenanigans on Ospreay but Ospreay chopped ELP for him to get the message. Great offense and defense between the two. Felt urgent. Felt like either man couldn’t lose on the opening night of the G1 Climax 32. This match stole the show.
Winner: Will Ospreay
Will Ospreay = 2 points
El Phantasmo = 0 points
Match 3: Block B
Sanada vs Jay White (IWGP World Heavyweight Champion) - 22:41 - 33:34
Jay White tries so much to break the crowd by asking them to cheer. It doesn’t work. Jay is so good in the ring; Sanada is so good as a follower in the ring. Jay and Sanada are good at countering each other, trying to one-up on who can hit their finisher first. Jay has wrestlers breathe with him when he attacks their ribs; his oppoents will have trouble breathing. Very standard match for the opening night. Jay White just got started.
Winner: Jay White
Jay White = 2 points
Sanada = 0 points
Match 4: A Block
Okada vs Jeff Cobb - 33:32 - 47:52
Golden Boy Okada vs The Imperial Unit Jeff Cobb. Jeff Cobb overpowered Okada from start to finish but Okada manages to get that fighting, warrior, lion spirit to defeat Cobb. Okada isn’t use this kind of powerful wrestler in NJPW. Still think Cobb should have won. I explain it all.
Winner: Okada
Okada = 2 points
Jeff Cobb = 0 points
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Opening G1 Climax 32 Night 1 Review!