[4.0] "I find it unseemly that someone whose body is so-begging for an extended break will once-again make a G1 final, and just like karma bit Kenta in-the-ass in London against Ishii, soon the reaper will be present for Kota."
[7.0] "Not quite the epic the two men were hoping for but it was still good. The table spot was unfortunate and there's no doubt KENTA is a shadow of his former self, but still, ***3/4"
[9.0] "Don't understand the low rating for this match. Sure it started out slow and the heel tactics got annoying. Plus 3 count out teases seemed to be a bit excessive and the table break spot wasn't executed smoothly. All that said the last 10 minutes were fantastic, and the intensity on those strikes combined with the crowd made it very dramatic. I thought it was great by the end. Maybe just a bit too long."
[7.0] "I liked this match, I don't know why, maybe the final minutes were sick even if the sequence where KENTA send Ibushi backstage was long and a pain in the ass. At the time they returned to the ring, that was good. KENTA being KENTA for quite second was cool to watch. That wasn't just on a block final's level."
[5.0] "A very disappointing match for a block final, but it's a Kenta match in 2021 so I'm not even surprised. His heat was really unbearable sometimes but Ibushi managed to have some good returns in this match and give me interest sometimes. The countout sequences were really too long and forced in my opinion, and they broke a little bit the rythm of the match to me. Kenta did some good kicks, good strikes, but he stills not very interesting. **1/2"
[8.0] "I do not think I have ever more drastically disagreed with the average rating than this. This was an INCREDIBLE match between KENTA and Kota Ibushi that continued the stories told throughout 17 days of G1 Climax action, nine outings of Round Robin wrestling, and one A Block with a long list of instant classics. And through the aid of Bullet Club doing the unthinkable, KENTA versus Kota Ibushi was officially made the A Block Final. The stories were told day of, month of, and tournament of. And it all led to this unbelievable clash between two titans of professional wrestling. KENTA resorting to the Bullet Club tactics that have soured his name. Yes, there has been a great deal of success, but the KENTA of old showing up in brief glimpses of greatness is what has defined his G1. We all simply dream of seeing the KENTA we know and love show up full time. Kota Ibushi looked to make that happen. Ibushi, time after time, tried to bait KENTA into a battle of strikes. After all, KENTA is the man who physically DOMINATED Ibushi just two years prior in G1 action. KENTA had one goal, however, which was to win by any means necessary. And he would test how far Ibushi had recovered from pneumonia to do so. He constantly made Ibushi exert extra effort for the simplest of tasks, thus challenging his breathing from start to finish. Yes, the tactics were underhanded, but the strategy was undeniably brilliant. In response, Ibushi struck with precision and intensity in an attempt to get the Pro Wrestling NOAH to show his face, as well as to make G1 history. And when KENTA was ready to fight, he rather consistently slumped Ibushi. Perhaps the legend is closer than we think. We saw some absolutely insane moments, including the ridiculous dive to the outside of the ring and the amazing slap fest by KENTA. And yes, I loved the dive despite the table falling because wrestling is simulated fighting. Fights are not perfectly choreographed, wrestling should not be penalized when it is not and the wrestlers still make it work. And they made it work. I understand why some ratings are lower than others, but this match had me glued from start to finish. 4 stars, 8 out of 10. An absolute BATTLE in the A Block final."
[7.0] "I thought this got to being halfway good in spite of its failings, and those failings for me are pretty much entirely down to the count-out spots. I thought that Ibushi going ahead with the table dive was great and that nearly made up for the count-outs for me, but then they did another count-out spot. Ibushi should have been counted out up to three times in this match. Messing it up once, maybe you can overlook it, but it still says "This is fake and nothing matters". Three times in one match, with a completely unnecessary backstage spot? That's a lot. Putting it into words, I'm surprised my score is as high as it is, but I liked much of the rest. There's just unfortunately a lot to complain about with this one. Also a disappointing result with Ibushi reaching the finals for the fourth time in a row."
[7.0] "Really glaring underperformance from two normally elite workers, but still a below-average match from two of the best of today is still at least a 7/10. Good spots, but I sadly found the botches kind of striking, taking me out of the bout. Still fine."
[4.0] "I really don't even need to say much about this. You want proof that New Japan needs to stop booking their matches to go so long? Here's the best evidence I can give you: this match. Multiple times not making it in for the 20 count, really? This match also makes you realize that Ibushi and KENTA are both past their prime, which is really sad. A Block Finalist should've been Zack. **1/4"
[9.0] "Good match with a couple of minor flaws that didn't spoil the overall picture, better than the block final with Jay White and Tetsuya Naito in 2019"
[9.0] "Before this match, this show felt just like any other 'middle of the pack' G1 show, but this match really won me over and it felt more and more like a big match as it was building. There were some botches, different small problems and that hilarious table spot, but in a weird way, all those imperfections added to the match for me, and I actually wanted to just see Ibushi win, especially in the last 10 minutes. I watched this match before reading anything and now I'm kinda stunned seeing this reaction. ****"
[8.0] "I really was not as bothered by the botches as a lot of other people seemed to be. I thought the match told a good story about Ibushi's determination and KENTA's willingness to go to any length to win, and I enjoyed most of the in-ring work. Not a great match, but a very good one to me."
[5.0] "Awful match and a lot of botches, KENTA (since he returned to Japan) and Kota Ibushi (since he won the title in WK 15) are a total disappointment"
[7.0] "The wrestling within the ropes was not actually bad. Although, I did expect more from these two. KENTA kept trying to win by any means necessary in this match, be it by count-out or a chair shot while the ref is down. However, every near count-out win by KENTA had a long 19 count that saved Ibushi. Like, obviously longer 19 counts than what is usual. It hurt the match a bit."
[4.0] "Not at all what you'd hope for or expect from a G1 semi. The botches and unnecessary, dangerous table spot definitely took away from it, but it just wasn't too engaging besides the opening striking and some of the end stretch."
[7.0] "Some of the match lived up to being a G1 Block final match, and other parts were a bit lacking. I feel like this match could've gone a lot better, the count outs felt kind of forced, and felt like Ibushi should've been counted out a few times. I actually thought the table breaking early but Ibushi still jumping from the top rope kind of added to the match, showing the madman state Ibushi was in. I was more bothered by a weird spot where it looked like KENTA was trying to throw Ibushi into the exposed steel turnbuckle, but it looked like Ibushi blocked it but then sold it like he got hit, which didn't look good at all. All in all a pretty good match though, with signature fiery Kota Ibushi going up against the wily KENTA. I just felt like it could've been a bit better."
[5.0] "This by all rights shouldve been a better match than it was, with KENTAs identity in this G1 being "the smartest man in the room", he naturally tried to milk the clock as much as possible since he held favorable secondary tie breakers over Shingo and Ibushi, while that is a valid strategy to bring to a G1 match and a G1 final no less, it doesn't make for exciting in ring action, and especially not in this context when both athletes are clearly capable of better. The whole match was just laid out very weirdly with not one, not two, but 3 botched countout teases that were 100% Ibushi's fault, you can only argue "referee's discretion" so many times until you start to vehemently reject what you're seeing. You know 2021 can't get any weirder when a Tanga Loa match takes match of the night honors over an Ibushi main event, but especially in this G1, stranger things have happened."
[8.0] "That was good, but not great. Some botches effected on this match, but didn't spoil it at all. Ibushi in the final is better than KENTA, but next year we need to have like Zack Sabre Jr. - Jay White. So, my rating is 3.75. Quite good, but they could make it better..."
[8.0] "This was a good match. Best Match KENTA and Ibushi have had. Was some sloppy points keeping it from higher marks but this was a good A Block finals with a disappointing result that will unfortunately lead people to bury the entire match."
[8.0] "I agree that there were too many count-out teases, but I genuinely enjoyed the building tension throughout the match. Table spot was cool but scary, and I really bought the near fall with the open turnbuckle."
[6.0] "It wasn't BAD but the constant botches kept it from being genuinely good. Obviously Ibushi winning the block is boring but the match wasn't offensive like people are making it out to be ***1/4"
[7.0] "Solid match hampered by the weird countout spots and botches. Ibushi and Kenta put on a fine performance, but things just didn't go their way. The booking decisions for this match were odd. Why do countout spots that don't make any sense? Everyone knows how to count to 20 besides the referee it seems. In any case, these two deserved better. ****"
[7.0] "This was a solid ***1/2 match, marred by a couple of mis-steps, and poor execution of the count-out spot and unfortunate table collapse (you could argue Ibushi should have re-set the table, but then if it collapses again as so often occurs, it leads to groans and increased frustration). The finish failed to generate enough feeling of major jeopardy and high stakes, with the time limit draw being also in play and Ibushi needing the 2 points. Having said that, not living up to the standards of previous Block Final classics does not make this anywhere near terrible. Failing to reach that all time classic benchmark in every major encounter, is part of what makes them all time classics. There have been plenty of very forgettable Block Finals since I started watching in 2008, i'd expect the over-reaction if it was the actual G1 Final. No issues with the booking from my perspective, as much as I would have liked ZSJ to make the final and regard him as the MVP of the whole tournament, they need to sell tickets for a weekday G1 Final and Okada vs Ibushi (quite possibly the 2020 MOTY) is the best backup option after Okada vs Naito was taken off the table."
[4.0] "I love both Kota and KENTA so much that i could watch them wrestle for 3 hours but this match was so confusing and not good at all.. there were some spots that looked good but a lot of spots that looked awful.. the match wasn't the worst thing I've ever seen but for sure the worst final block in G1 History!"
[7.0] "Normal administration for both but what a dissapointing booking of KENTA, he could at the least gave the impression to possibly win the match, some minutes next to the star there was Ibushi win signals already, to be fair this was a total down thinking it should have add drama (done only in the last minutes) as a block final."
[5.0] "I had some hype for this match, Ibushi is slowly starting to be his pre-absence self again and KENTA did a good Climax. The match isn't really bad, but it's just a mess. The Gedo spots are all awful and totally off timing, with Red Shoes stopping his count at 19, and in the ring it's not brilliant at all. They wrestle like if they were in a small show when it's a block final, with whoever winning it going to the Climax finals. The only big moment would have been the dive throug the table, but they manage to f*ck it up and it came off looking horrible, and visibly Ibushi got injured by doing it. The part where they go to the back is awful, there isn't any good strike exchange in a match where I was only waiting that to happen and the finish is very flat imo and continues to bury the Kamigoye. Ibushi won to go to his fourth (FOURTH) Climax final in a row, killing any suspense on this year's winner as NJPW will probably want to do their Shingo vs Ibushi in the ME of the Dome. An average match ended by a terrible booking decision. **1/2"
[1.0] "One of the worst matches I've ever seen, a match where the wrestlers literally couldn't get anything going and everything didn't go according to plan. Ibushi wanted to do a spot with the table, but when he put Kenta on the table, the table went down. But Kota didn't even think to wriggle out of that situation in any way, he just followed through with the unfortunate spot on the original plan! Then at the end of the match, Kenta should have reversed Ibushi's finisher, launching him into the corner of the ring, but the wrestlers didn't work together at this point and it looked as ridiculous as possible. Aside from the outright failures, the match itself was very drawn out and boring. There were also a few moments where Ibushi clearly didn't have time to get back in the ring before the count of 20, but the ref stopped the count at that point. Giving the same person the final of a tournament 4 years in a row is just a terrible decision. Especially when he makes the finals after such a terrible match. Rating: * (1)"
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