The G1 match that got -1 stars | WON Flashback
Toru Yano is still going strong in New Japan and he’s still appearing in the G1 Climax tournament in 2026. However, he faced now-GHC Heavyweight Champion Shane Haste in what our own Dave Meltzer described as the “worst match of the tournament” in 2023.
You can find Dave’s review of the matches from that 2023 G1 event in the August 7, 2023 Observer Newsletter (which you can read in full with a subscription).
Toru Yano vs Shane Haste at the G1 Climax in 2023 | WON Flashback
Here is what Dave had to say about the match on August 2 2023:
“Toru Yano pinned Shane Haste in 6:09. This was the worst match of the tournament. At different times each had a hood that you’d use in a blindfold match over their heads and traded cradles. At another point, Yano went under the ring. Fujita and Haste also went under the ring. Yano came out and then Haste had a bucket taped over his head with the idea he couldn’t see. Haste barely beat the 20 count in. Finally Haste got the bucket off his head. The ref was distracted and Yano used a low blow and cradle. -*”
It wasn’t all negative star matches on that night in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall, as Dave gave the main event between Shingo Takagi and David Finlay at ****½:
“Shingo Takagi pinned David Finlay in 18:45. Finlay did a spot selling like he was injured and then got up and chop blocked Takagi from behind. Finlay took over and suplexed Finlay on the floor. Finlay also power bombed Takagi through one of those thick Japanese tables. Takagi got back into the ring at 18. Takagi used a top rope superplex. Finlay used a dominator for a near fall. Takagi hit Made in Japan for a near fall. They traded elbows and head-butts and Finlay hit the spear. Finlay hit two power bombs with two minutes left but Takagi got out of Oblivion. This was super exciting down the stretch and Takagi’s explosiveness and timing and Finlay’s timing and technical skill make for a great match. Takagi landed a hard clothesline and last of the dragon to get the win. ****½”
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