Fansided

New Japan G1 Climax 29: Fallout, takeaways, what’s next

By Robert McCauley

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Kota Ibushi celebrates the victory with the trophy following the final bout during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 29 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Kota Ibushi celebrates the victory with the trophy following the final bout during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 29 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
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Jeff Cobb (4-5) – B-Block

Wins: Juice Robinson, Taichi, Shingo Takagi & Toru Yano
Losses: Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, Jon Moxley, Tetsuya Naito & Jay White

As the lone import from Ring of Honor, the former NEVER Openweight Champion came in with the opportunity to upset three NJPW title holders for his company. While he came up 0-3 in those chances, Cobb showed personal growth by being able to beat those he had fallen to earlier this year.

Back in May it was Taichi who won the NEVER Openweight Championship off of Cobb. Despite the fact that Taichi no longer holds the title, Cobb got his revenge and evened their series. He did the same against Hirooki Goto, another man he’s had NEVER battles with in the past.

Cobb wasn’t able to come home with any title opportunities but he can hold his head high knowing that he got his wins back and proved he can hang with the NJPW roster.

Bad Luck Fale (4-5) – A-Block

Wins: EVIL, KENTA, SANADA & Hiroshi Tanahashi
Losses: Lance Archer, Kota Ibushi, Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay & Zack Sabre Jr.

A monster turned wrestler, no one saw a bigger shift in character throughout the tournament than Bad Luck Fale. The one-time big man threat to top guys like Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi, Bad Luck Fale changed his strategy in the latter stages, picking up wins via counter wrestling a la Zack Sabre Jr.

As strange as his new ways may seem, it was an effective strategy to pick up wins. This new side of Fale may be a passing trend but he was able to show a range of victories very few could have believed if they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes.

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