New Japan Pro Wrestling 8/3/1997 - G1 Climax 1997 Final - Kensuke Sasaki vs Hiroyoshi Tenzan

New Japan Pro Wrestling 8/3/1997 - G1 Climax 1997 Final - Kensuke Sasaki vs Hiroyoshi Tenzan

This is the 2nd match of the night for both guys and Tenzan has a busted lip coming into it.

They rush at each other to start and Tenzan hits some headbutts and a mongolian chop. Tenzan then hits a top rope headbutt for 2. More headbutts and Sasaki hits him with right hands then bolo punches on the ropes. Tenzan clotheslines him and they both go down.

Sasaki kicks him in the leg and takes him down.then goes for the scorpion deathlock. Both of their crews try to get involved while this happens and Tenzan escapes by hitting the ropes. Sasaki STF's Tenzan likely to get at Chono but Tenzan hits the ropes.

Tenzan's ear is busted open now and he kicks out at 1 on a lariat. Tenzan reverses a move and hits a TTD tombstone for 2. He then top rope headbutts him for another 2. Tenzan hits another top rope headbutt but Sasaki kicks out. They are on their knees and trading headbutts then Sasaki hits some hard slaps followed by a northern lights bomb for 1.

Sasaki hits a big lariat and another northern lights bomb for the win. This was quick at only 8 minutes but it was bloody, stiff and the crowd was super hot. While I can get people being disappointed at a shorter final match for the G1, this was explosive and real fun. I loved this one.