With NXT Takeover only three days away, we have a final episode of NXT leading into the show. The show opens with a recap of NXT TV from last week, where the Triple Threat match for Takeover was announced. We also see that Aleister Black was assaulted outside the Full Sail venue. He was previously announced from the triple threat match, making it just Gargano and Ciampa.

The Street Profits vs. The Mighty

The first fight of the evening was The Street Profits against The Mighty (formerly known as TM61). Street Profits had the crowd completely behind them for this match. Montez Ford for The Street Profits got a hot tag, taking out both of The Mighty. He hit a Sunset Flip for a two count. When an attempted roll-up with tights pulled was tried on Ford he turned the tables to win the match. The Street Profits celebrated in the seats afterwards. I thought that this match was very entertaining. The Street Profits are pretty good wrestlers and their glowing personalities make up for whatever is missing in the ring.

Kairi Sane vs. Aliyah

After a short break we saw a backstage conversation between the Undisputed Era. They cut a decent promo. The next match is Kairi Sane facing Aliyah. Sane has a match at NXT Takeover, facing Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women’s Championship. Just as the bell was about to ring, Baszler came out to watch the match. Sane seemed visibly disturbed by this. Baszler was on commentary for this match. Sane hit three elbow drops, but did not let Aliyah lose as she wants to send a message to Baszler. Aliyah eventually tapped out via submission. I’m very excited to see how this match turns out on Saturday. Baszler was a little rough on commentary, seeming to have a little trouble with the improv that it throws at you. That’s okay though, improving on that is what NXT is for.

EC3 Confronts The Velveteen Dream

The Velveteen Dream comes out to talk to the crowd. He was discussing his opponent on Saturday, EC3. As he was talking, EC3 himself came out. Velveteen Dream attacked EC3 after quite the discussion. EC3 fought back and won the fight. Didn’t seem like a very babyface thing to do, to just attack someone like that.

We now see a full analysis of the attack on Aleister Black attack, trying to find out who did it. This was a very funny segment, showing lots of wrestlers just hanging around the incident. They did not find a definitive answer to who attacked Aleister.

Tyler Bate w/ Trent Seven vs. Roderick Strong w/ Kyle O’Reilly

After another break it is announced that Pete Dunne with defend his United Kingdom Championship against Zack Gibson next week on NXT. The main event for this episode of NXT is Tyler Bate versus Roderick Strong. The match plays as a preview to the tag match between these guys and the other half of their teams. Early in the match Kyle O’Reilly was involved, playing as a distraction, letting Strong get back in control of the match. Tyler Bate did that move where it looks like he’s diving out of the ring but he’s just bouncing off of the ropes. That move messes with your brain. He followed it up with a clothesline then did an actual dive. He hit a Tyler Driver to win the match. The babyfaces are on top heading into the big show. This was a great preview for the match on Saturday. The competition between these two teams should be really something to watch.

On Monday night, RAW delivered a lackluster show that had its moments. The biggest moment of all was Dean Ambrose’s long awaited return. On this week’s Smackdown, people possibly look for a better go-home, leaving a good impression heading into Summerslam. Let’s look at how the show kicked off.

Smackdown started off with Charlotte, Becky Lynch and Carmella having a “face-to-face-to-face” before their triple threat match on Sunday. Carmella says she is not happy that she is forced to do this segment, but since she is the champ “life is good, baby.” After trash talk between the three, which was lead by Carmella, Paige came out to the ramp. She sets up a tag match including Charlotte and Becky, as Carmella joins the commentary team. This wasn’t a good nor bad segment, but it did show how well Carmella is at cutting promos.

Charlotte & Becky Lynch vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville

The first match of the evening is Charlotte and Becky versus Mandy and Sonya. After a few minutes of messing around Becky Lynch won the match for her team via the Disarmer. This match was consumed by commercials but didn’t have anything that interesting in it anyways.

The program airs a video of The Miz and Maryse announcing that their show “Miz and Mrs” has been renewed for season 2.

The Triple Threat (locals) vs. The Bludgeon Brothers

Up next we get a three-on-two handicap match, with the Smackdown Tag Team Champions facing locals who are called “The Triple Threat.” It feels so odd, or even lazy that this is how The Bludgeon Brothers are being booked on the final show before Summerslam. A squash match? Seriously? It feels like these guys have been doing squash matches for a whole year now. The match never got started since, I don’t know. But they murdered these guys. This felt cheap.

Sanity vs. New Day

In what is quite the matchup for a go-home show, Sanity faced New Day in a 6-man match. When I saw that this match was happening, almost did not believe it. I was pretty excited to see it. It was Kofi Kingston’s birthday. Because of this he got a birthday chant from the crowd. After Kofi hit Trouble In Paradise, he was thrown over the ropes. He went to the top rope right after and did a dive onto two Sanity members outside the ring. Big E impressively lifted up Killian Dain to do the Up Up Down Down, with the help of Xavier Woods. This match was tons of fun. I don’t know how I feel about Sanity losing clean though.

Aiden English vs. Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega

Tonight, Aiden English says he fights for Rusev. He faces Almas. Almas made light word of English, winning the match in under a minute. After the match both Vega and Almas cut a promo on Rusev and Lana. They then come out to the stage and say that they will win on Rusev Day.

Throughout the night there was a series of clips showing the kayfabe history between Daniel Bryan and The Miz. These were very well put together. While they probably weren’t pleasing for the live crowd, I thought this was a nice bowtie on the build up to this rivalry.

Shelton Benjamin vs. Jeff Hardy

This weekend at Summerslam Jeff Hardy aims to retake his United State Championship from Shinsuke Nakamura. As a big of a warmup, he faces Shelton Benjamin. The match started during the commercial break, with Shelton ahead when we came back. To Benjamin’s detriment, Hardy won the match. Almost right after the bell rang, Nakamura came out, charging at a tired Jeff Hardy. Hardy got distracted by Shelton Benjamin, letting Nakamura strike. Hardy reversed a Kinshasa into a Twist Of Fate and a Swanton Bomb. Jeff Hardy got the last laugh heading into Sunday. We see Orton creeping in the curtains watching the segment.

AJ Styles Ending Segment

To end off Smackdown Live, AJ Styles comes to talk to the crowd. He talks about his opponent this Sunday, Samoa Joe. Joe reads a letter that was sent to him from someone in AJ’s family. It talks about how he doesn’t take care of his family because the title is all he cares about. This seems to upset AJ. If we’re being honest, why would you want to cheer for someone like AJ if that was actually someone in his family? This segment made the babyface look like a heel. This ends Smackdown Live for this week.

With Summerslam only 6 days away, Monday Night RAW and Tuesday’s Smackdown Live are the final two shows to get fans ready for the “hottest show of the summer”. Whether this show will actually have any effect on Sunday’s show will be seen as we go through the show. Let’s see the Monday Night RAW from this week.

This week’s episode of Monday Night RAW started with a welcome from Michael Cole to Greensboro, North Carolina. Ronda Rousey’s music hits and she walks out to the ring. Michael Cole welcomes Renee Young, who is making her commentary debut for RAW. Rousey addresses that Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart passed away today. She talks about how important fathers are to everyone. She tells Natalya to stay strong. A “Nattie” chant breaks out. She then ties what she is saying into how she will beat Alexa Bliss on Sunday. She then brings out Ember Moon, who is facing Bliss next.

Ember Moon vs. Alexa Bliss

Alexa Bliss makes her entrance accompanied by Alicia Fox. Bliss has a microphone, saying that Ronda is a spoiled, overrated rookie. Bliss said that she spoke to Constable Corbin, has because of that been granted security. Four security members walk onstage. Ronda took down all security guards and Alicia Fox. Back from the break, the previously mentioned match actually begins. Ember Moon was closing in on a victory hitting an Eclipse, and going for a pin. The pin was broken up by Alicia Fox, ending the match via DQ. It seems so odd that they are making Ember Moon look like shes better than Alexa Bliss. To me, this did not make sense. But implications aside, the match was pretty entertaining.

Baron Corbin vs. Tyler Breeze

Backstage we see Baron Corbin arguing with Kurt Angle. Apparently Corbin booked a match without getting anyone’s approval. Corbin chose Tyler Breeze as his opponent. Michael Cole tells the broadcast that Corbin has also arranged a match for Finn Balor later on tonight. Something that looks very uncomfortable is the fact that Corbin is fighting in his formal attire that he usually wears. Corbin hit a Deep 6 to get the victory. Corbin brings out Balor’s opponent for tonight. His opponents are Jinder Mahal and Kevin Owens. This is seriously all so boring. Nothing interesting is going on here, except a script that was made to burn through the show as much as possible. Just after Balor made his entrance, Kurt Angle came out and added to the match, making it a tag match. Balor’s partner was Braun Stroman. Since when did Kurt like Stroman so much? Anyways…

Jinder Mahal & Kevin Owens vs. Finn Balor & Braun Stroman

When Stroman eventually got a hot tag the crowd cheered. There was a good double team spot later on where Stroman slammed Balor onto Mahal. He was not expecting this slam to happen. Finn did a dive to outside the ring onto both Owens and Mahal as we went to commercials. After the break Stroman was on fire. He used Sunil Singh as a weapon when taking Owens down. He hit a Powerslam to end the match. This match had a mind numbingly boring buildup, but at the end of the day it’s always fun to watch Stroman fight. The match was fun but maybe went on a little too long. But really, everything does on an episode like this. After the match Corbin beat up Balor after Stroman chased Owens away from the scene.

Ricky Roberts is announced in the ring. It’s some guy whos dressed as a country singer, who claims that he is a big fan of Elias. Elias comes out and says something, I don’t know. I forgot it basically right after he said it. Bobby Lashley comes out and beats up Ricky Roberts after Ricky smashes a guitar on his back. Alright, I guess. Man, this was bad. Like, what purpose did this have? If any?

Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy vs. The Revival vs. The B-Team (WWE RAW Tag Team Championship Match)

The undefeated B-Team faced their biggest challenge this week when it came to defending their undefeated streak, and their tag titles. The odds are against them, facing not one but two teams. Mid-way through the match there was a deadly spot, with Dash Wilder and Matt Hardy doing a Suplex off the top rope to the outside onto everyone else. The Revival hit Wyatt with a Shatter Machine, but Curtis Axel capitalized off of it by throwing everyone out of the ring and pinning Wyatt. This was a predictable way to book the match, but still good. B-Team are an entertaining gimmick, for now at least.

Roman Reigns In The Ring

Roman Reigns cuts a promo on Brock Lesnar. He says he will send Brock back to the UFC, name dropping Dana White. Paul Heyman comes out to confront Roman. Heyman tries to offer his business to Roman, doing a whole pitch. Out of nowhere he starts to mace Roman Reigns. After Roman was recovering from this attack, Brock Lesnar came down for an attack of his own. This was a well played out segment, if it was maybe 10 minutes shorter. I did not expect Brock to attack at the end.

Bobby Roode, Apollo Crews & Titus O’Neil vs. Mojo Rawley & The Authors Of Pain

Okay so this match did not even get entrances, but I guess it’s happening. No real reason for any of these guys to be fighting, but whatever. Bobby Roode got the win for his team with a Glorious DDT. That’s the segment? Seriously? That was the definition of pointless.

After the commercial break a very nice tribute to Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart was played. He passed away the morning of the show.

Sasha Banks w/ Bayley vs. Ruby Riott w/ Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan

Sasha Banks fought Ruby Riott with their respective supporters at ringside. A lot of this match was during commercials, but one spot that caught my eye was Sasha doing a Suicide Dive  to Sarah Logan to the outside, absolutely crashing and burning. Riott did a roll-up for the win, which made the match a little lame. Crowd is dead silent at this point.

Intercontinental Championship Match Contract Signing

Kurt Angle is in the ring for a contract signing. Angle first addresses the attack on Roman Reigns earlier. He says he isn’t going to suspend Brock because he wants Roman to beat him up (sounds like a horrible GM to me). Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre’s music cut him off. Seth Rollins, who wasn’t present at the show so far in the night due to travel issues, showed up unexpectedly for this segment. Seth says that his travel issues weren’t his. He brings out Dean Ambrose, who will be in his corner for his fight at Summerslam. A brawl breaks out, with Dean hitting Dirty Deeds on to McIntyre. RAW comes to a conclusion as Seth is signing his contract.

This episode, despite having a fun ending to it, was overall a bad viewing. Too much filler, and segments that dragged for way too long. If I was a viewer who was on the fence for watching Summerslam, this would take all interest away for me.

After another long, grueling G1 tournament nearly complete, it is time for the finale show. Easily one of the most anticipated shows on the New Japan Pro Wrestling calendar, as well as most people’s wrestling calendar’s in general. The finalists for this years G1 Climax were Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi. Below them were eight other matches, one of them being a title defense, in what was a very stacked card. Let’s start with the undercard.

Shota Umino, Ayato Yoshida & Yuji Nagata vs. Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma & Michael Elgin

A six man match started off the card. Ayato Yoshida, who does not appear on many New Japan cards was touted by the English commentary throughout the match. I found it somewhat surprising how much offense he got in. This was Honma’s third match back after his scary injury back in March of 2017. He wrestled the night before defeating three CHAOS members. Makabe hit the King Kong Knee Drop on Yoshida to win the match. I was impressed with the match, especially Umino and Yoshida. Both guys are very young and have tons of potential. Nothing else really stuck out in this match.

Toa Henare vs. Bad Luck Fale

Excluding the main event tonight, of course being the G1 final, this is the only singles match on the card. In a grudge match Toa Henare faced Bad Luck Fale. Much like something Fale would do, Henare attacked Fale as he was still entering the ring. Very early on Fale hit the Grenade and a Bad Luck Fall. Within minutes Henare was squashed. This was a very surprising finish to be quite honest. I thought this was decent storytelling since it showed that Henare is young and still has a lot to learn. Henare was a carcass being carried to the backstage as some in the crowd looked worried.

Takashi Iizuka & Taichi Ishikari w/ Miho Abe vs. YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto

Taichi and Iizuka were absent for the majority of the G1 tournament, coming back to New Japan to wrestle in this tag match. In the next tag match it was Suzuki-gun versus CHAOS. Taichi Ishikari entered with Miho Abe. Despite having music and a microphone, he was cut off my Takashi Iizuka’s music many times. Both Abe and Taichi seemed upset over this. Iizuka did not show up for the most of the entrance, with fans “keeping their heads on a swivel”, looking for him. Despite Suzuki-gun having attendance issues, both CHAOS members were on time for the match. This turned out to be for their detriment. As CHAOS made their entrance, Ishikari jumped them with a chair.

Taichi got the win for his team after a Powerbomb. Of course, he did a beatdown after the match. He also threw Goto’s NEVER Openweight title while exiting. My favourite part of this match was Goto’s hot tag, which seemed weak at first, but then had some good moves in it.

Hangman Page & Cody vs. David Finlay & Juice Robinson

Cody hasn’t been seen since the G1 Special, so it was unexpected when he was announced for this card. Cody, The Young Bucks and many others have been tied up recently with planning the All In event, which is now only days away (so crazy to say that). They face the entertaining duo of David Finlay and Juice Robinson. Juice gave two children his hat and sunglasses while entering. David Finlay is the self proclaimed C Block champion, carrying a very small trophy out with him. Juice has fought most of the G1 with a cast, giving him a significant disadvantage, but is fighting without it tonight.

The match started with very entertaining chain wrestling by Page and Finlay. Juice hit an spectacular looking Crossbody during the match. He tried following it up with his trademarked punches but was stopped. Moments later Juice turned the tables once again and hit a Cannonball in the corner to both Cody and Page. Page hit a Standing Shooting Star Press for a two count. Very impressive for a guy of his physique to be hitting moves like that so seamlessly. Cody mocked Robinson by doing his famous punches. Moments later they were both trading their See-saw-like punches. Cody hit a Disaster Kick, only to be met with a kick in Robinson’s style right after. Pulp Friction got reversed into a Piledriver of some sort. Cody got the win from this. The commentary team called this win “unexpected” (I mean, was it?). Cody cut a promo afterwards, telling Juice that Cody is the next US Champion, while holding Juice’s belt. This match was very entertaining. The final combinations of moves had me on the edge of my seat. The promo afterwards by Cody did not seem that good.

Taichi Ishimori, Tanga Loa & Tama Tonga vs. Marty Scurll, Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson (NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship Match)

Tanga Loa cut a promo before their match. Very akin to what Taka Michinoku does when managing Zack Sabre Jr. Loa introduces their opponents, asking the ring announcer who they are since he apparently does not know. They are challenging for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships. Current champions are Marty Scurll, Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson. This match was only made a title match after the champions declared it as one (and asking for approval from the ringside new President of NJPW). Nick got the hot tag late in the match and went after both Guerrillas of Destiny. Ishimori was kicked out of the ring by both Bucks, while Nick said “see you later buddy”. Tama Tonga got hit with a Swanton while being suspended on the ropes. Young Bucks tried a More Bang For Your Buck but Tonga escaped. Tama Tonga hit Marty Scurll with a Gun Stun out of nowhere, crowning new champions. This came out of nowhere because Scrull was fixated on Tonga Loa while Tonga came flying at him.

The mayhem at the end of the match was too fast to cover. It’s the aspect of New Japan Pro Wrestling tag matches which makes it most appealing for me. Lot’s of fun to watch, and the highlight of the bottom half of the card.

Before our next match it is announced that Wrestle Kingdom 13 will take place on the 4th of January in Tokyo Dome. A logo is presented, and triumphant music is played. I find it comical that it is announced, as if people expected it wouldn’t happen this year or something. Although it was nice to see the new logo. Not my favourite one, but still a good logo.

El Desperado, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Zack Sabre Jr. & Minoru Suzuki w/ Taka Michinoku vs. BUSHI, SANADA, EVIL & Tetsuya Naito

An eight-man tag match was the 6th match of the evening. Taka Michinoku, who was ringside for the match cut a promo beforehand. During the Naito entrance Taka went to the English commentary saying “I can’t speak English!” ironically, in English. Right off the bat in this match everyone took a partner and started brawling outside the ring. As you’d expect, Suzuki and Naito were fighting partners. Kanemaru tried to spit liquor in SANADA’s face, but he avoided it and put on a Skulls End for the win. Naito and Suzuki brawled after the bell, with Young Lions separating them. I don’t know if there has been a Los Ingobernables versus Suzuki-gun tag match that I haven’t enjoyed. For months now they have been very easy viewings.

Toru Yano, Jay White & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Yujiro Takahashi w/ Pieter, Chase Owens & Kenny Omega

Kenny Omega, who lost to Kota Ibushi the night before gets an easier night of work as he is in a 6-man tag match, teaming with Owens and Takahashi. They faced Yano, White & Ishii. When Yano was in the ring he was trying to unwrap a turnbuckle but members of the Bullet Club kept blocking him in what was a funny comedy spot. There was another spot where all members of the Bullet Club were doing a circle of submission moves while Pieter danced in the middle. Omega didn’t like the distraction, and made her leave the ring. Owens tried for a Package Piledriver but could not lift up Ishii. Ishii got the finish with the Brainbuster onto Chase Owens. Teammates of Owens were being held off at ringside during the pinfall.

Surprisingly, it felt that Jay White was in a background role in this match. I got a similar feeling with Yano, although Yano did get some spots in at the start of the match. After the match Ishii made it obvious that he wants Omega’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

Pro-Wrestler Sengoku Enbu (Ryusuke Taguchi), KUSHIDA & Rey Mysterio vs. SHO, YOH & Kazuchika Okada

Under Ryusuke Taguchi’s new alter ego alias Pro-Wrestler Sengoku Enbu, he made a debut in a 6-man tag match. From what I have gathered online the character that Taguchi is playing in this match is related to a film or something. The biggest name in this match was Rey Mysterio. What surprised my about this match was how much it flew under everyone’s radar. Like sure, there was a G1 final and all of that, but it’s Rey Mysterio! You would expect a little press about this match. KUSHIDA was riding on a hoverboard of some sort for his entrance. Mysterio came out in a special G1 outfit. Kazuchika Okada’s entrance was a little less grand than usual since, as he pointed out on social media, balloons are not allowed in this venue. Okada ordered to start the match against Mysterio. Both KUSHIDA and Taguchi did dives to the outside, leaving YOH and Mysterio in the ring. Mysterio hit a 619 and a Springboard Frogsplash for the win. This was a short, easy to digest match. It was placed right before the main event, which is perfectly fitting for it.

Kota Ibushi vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (G1 Climax 28 Final)

Now that all of the undercard matches have happened, there was only room for one more match. The match that this whole tour revolved around, the G1 Climax Final. In Ibushi’s corner was Kenny Omega. The crowd erupted with cheers as the bell rang to begin the match. Early in the match Ibushi did a nasty double stomp on the apron. Ibushi nearly killed Tana with a Piledriver shortly after. It was deadly to watch. Tanahashi put Ibushi into a Boston Crab which really wore him down. He got to the ropes, but not after being in the hold for a long time. Tanahashi did a High Fly Flow off the top rope to outside the ring. Ibushi tried wearing Tana down with strikes but it did nothing for Tana. The two ended up exchanging blows for more than a minute. Ibushi ended it with a vicious clothesline.

With tension in the match continuing to rise, Tanahashi attempted to end it with a Frogsplash. Ibushi blocked it with his knees. While still getting up, Ibushi landed a running knee strike, then a Standing Moonsault with Double Knees when landing. Shortly after Ibushi did a German Suplex off the middle rope than a Last Ride for a two count. The crowd absolutely erupted after the kickout. A Straightjacket German Suplex was followed up with an attempted Kamigoye which Tanahashi reversed into a Twist & Shout (twice). Tanahashi hit a High Fly Flow, then a Crossbody, and then a High Fly Flow to win the match. Your 2018 G1 Climax winner is Hiroshi Tanahashi.

This was an absolutely amazing bout. Both wrestlers put absolutely everything out there, and put on what was a suitable finale for what was a great tournament. Katsuyori Shibata, who was in his corner for the match lifted him up onto his shoulders and paraded him around the ring. Tanahashi indulged in the confetti and the celebration that followed the match. This put a wrap on the show.

While the undercard had some matches that did okay or only sort-of delivered, the main event made up for all of it. The end of the tournament was as grand as it could get. It’s sad that the next New Japan show is so far down the road, but at the same time it makes sense as everyone needs to rest up.