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00:00I
00:30Steve, when we called the action of G1 Climax, saw the finals unfold, and Hiroki Goto walked
00:43into the finals of A Block competition, and was it odds on Longshot to advance the finals?
00:51He needed a lot of help, including a very unlikely draw between Tanahashi and Okada.
00:58That's exactly what he got.
01:00Okada went to the finals of G1, and walked in, I think a lot of people said, was again
01:07the underdog.
01:09But Goto didn't fight like an underdog, he pushed Omega to the limit, but at the end Omega
01:15was successful, but the questions still linger about Hiroki Goto and his ability to win the
01:23big one.
01:24Absolutely, I joke about it all the time, but the reality is that Goto is one of my
01:28favorites to watch.
01:29I always want to believe that he can win the big one, but each time that you put that faith
01:35in him somehow, he lets you down.
01:37Dao is a member of Chaos, he walks in here against a man that he has quite a history with.
01:43We'll go over Kevin, you have such a great background in these two warriors.
01:50I want Goto to be the guy, I believe in Goto, but my patience is wearing thin and I believe
01:58a lot of the fans are, and we can't see it on camera here, but to the left, the legend
02:05Masahiro Chaudo has joined Jushin Thunder Liger for guest commentary.
02:09You know, Goto was talking about retirement perhaps after losing to Okada last February,
02:16said that in a recent interview.
02:18And our pal Chris Charlton, recent JP on Twitter, providing some translation help for that.
02:24The turning point was in February, Okada said.
02:26Losing to Okada, such a beatdown, I never felt so low in my career.
02:31But I settled down, calmed myself, joined Chaos, pulled myself together, and here I am.
02:36And here he is, fighting a long time adversary.
02:56And this is a man that has battled so many injuries in 2016.
03:21And to overcome them.
03:28Just when you think that this guy needs to take time off.
03:33Shibata keeps busting through.
03:36He's a machine.
03:38I believe he's got no emotion.
03:41The second that music comes on, there is a look, there is a glaze almost that comes through his eyes.
03:49I remember years ago, I seconded Tiger Jin Sing to the ring.
03:54And the music came on.
03:56And he went from this grandfather into this maniac that didn't care about the destruction that he was about to unfold.
04:06Shibata's got those eyes too.
04:08It's all about winning the fight.
04:12And there he is.
04:19Shibata said he'd been connected with Gotoh more than anybody else in his career.
04:24But he's done with the constant talk that they were classmates, best friends, comrades in arms.
04:32He asked everybody to cut that out.
04:34We're in completely different dimensions now.
04:36He said that Gotoh's matches make him angry.
04:39We'll talk more about that.
04:40But Shibata walks down here not just holding the Never Openweight Championship.
04:45That is the title that is at stake.
04:47But he also holds the Rev Pro British Heavyweight Championship as well.
04:51Defeating Zack Sabre Jr. on November 10th.
04:54And then defeating Chris Hero to retain that title the following night as well.
04:57Right.
04:58And how about that?
04:59Two amazing wrestlers.
05:00Chris Hero, Zack Sabre Jr.
05:02It just shows the ability of not just here in Japan but worldwide that Shibata has.
05:09We saw the success he had in Ring of Honor.
05:11And there's the man Tono.
05:13And that of course those victories in Rev Pro were sandwiched in between losing and then regaining the Never Openweight Championship.
05:24Losing to Evil and then conquering Evil and regaining the title in Singapore.
05:30So, Shibata has wrestled all over the world.
05:34We saw him in Ring of Honor in America.
05:37And Gotoh, hammerlock applied, standing switch, waistlock and Shibata.
05:48Shibata.
05:49Oh!
05:51Wake up call right there.
05:53And part of the reason why he says, uh, I think it's Gotoh's, I don't know, sometimes it's his flightiness.
06:06Uh, Shibata was quoted as saying that his matches, Gotoh's matches make him angry.
06:11Thinking, are you alright?
06:12It's just hard to tell sometimes whether he cares whether he's all there in the ring or not.
06:16Perhaps that overhand chop.
06:17Just to make him...
06:18Let's get in the moment here.
06:19Right.
06:20Like a wake up call.
06:21And, you know, as a former professional wrestler myself, I kind of look at Gotoh the same way as, you know,
06:27as a guy with unlimited potential.
06:29So much ability.
06:30I've seen matches that he's had with Masato Tanaka.
06:34I've seen matches that he's had with Okada.
06:36Different styles.
06:37And sometimes he is there and he's 100% in.
06:42I don't know if it's disappointment of not being able to win that big one or it is something that needs to click in his mind.
06:52He was so close at the finals of the G1 Climax with Kenny Omega.
06:58The crowd, who did not believe in him for the first seven minutes of the match, turned and believed in him.
07:05And then, once again, went down.
07:08Can tonight be the night that Gotoh, on this big stage, this huge stage, can he be that guy?
07:17And at some point, while Shibata does take control of the left arm, you know, there is not enough tape that I think could safely wrap Shibata.
07:33Beat his knee, shoulders, neck off.
07:36Now, very smart there to roll out of the rig.
07:40You know, and that's not to say that Gotoh hasn't had success.
07:43I believe that he just hasn't had the success that a lot of us have, whether it be from the inside or wrestling fans in general.
07:51The success that we thought that he would have.
07:55Rear naked choke, he can't win here, he's going to have a break before five.
08:01But again, it's what's the definition of success?
08:04What makes you happy?
08:06Oh!
08:10Shibata carrying the fight.
08:11And Kevin, you brought up a great point.
08:13What defines success?
08:14Is it being the top star in the biggest company in the entire world?
08:18Is it just being content with the output that you put in a certain match, a certain feud?
08:28Is it an insecurity inside that you don't believe that you're the best?
08:33It's hard to say.
08:36And I think, again, the reason why Shibata says he gets so frustrated with Gotoh is because Gotoh is not like Shibata.
08:44And he doesn't understand that.
08:46It's that machine mentality that Shibata has.
08:48He's like, Gotoh, why don't you think like me?
08:50Why don't you fight like me?
08:52Right, exactly.
08:53You know, these guys have held the IWGP Tag Team Championship together.
08:58And losses mean so much to Shibata.
09:02You know, he has that face that looks like nothing bothers him.
09:07But I was around once in Brooklyn, New York, when he lost to Kyle O'Reilly.
09:13And it bothered him.
09:15And he just, you could tell that it really affected him mentally and that he did not want that to happen again.
09:22And when they had time for a rematch, it was Shibata that capitalized on his mistakes.
09:28Gotoh kind of goes about it in a nonchalant way of like, ah, maybe tomorrow I'll get him.
09:34Right.
09:35And so that's why we have such an interesting clash of personalities in really a physical encounter that may have very little emotion to it.
09:48Cool, cool, cool.
09:49But again, Shibata has carried the fight so far to Gotoh, has focused on the left arm.
09:54And Shibata, as we've highlighted of course, is not 100%.
09:58No.
09:59Is he 90%, 80%, is he 20%?
10:02Oh no, he's never going to tell anybody.
10:04And you know he's in pain by the fact that he is all taped up.
10:12He's got that target on his neck, his shoulders, triceps, his left knee.
10:18These are things, oh, Kiwata style kicks to the face.
10:23He is owning Kiroki Gotoh right now.
10:35Five titles have changed already.
10:38Nice lariat there by Gotoh.
10:41And you hear the crowd boos a lot.
10:46They don't want to hate this guy.
10:51Disappointment boos, if you will.
10:55And now, Shibata catches Gotoh on the way in.
10:59And you can see how quick he is.
11:03I hear the impact of them.
11:06And Gotoh there with the answer.
11:08Oh!
11:09But Shibata fights through and connects.
11:12Nice Aido suplex there.
11:14Now on the back of the head of Shibata.
11:19Gotoh has to get up and capitalize quick.
11:24Shibata is not a guy that's going to let you beat him down and try and,
11:28you know, some guys will let you beat down.
11:30I was the type of wrestler that I would try and conserve my energy,
11:34take punishment, and try and make a flurry near the end.
11:38Shibata's not that.
11:39He's explosive.
11:40He wants to be on the offense 100% of the time.
11:43And now Gotoh up, down, all the way to the center of the chest from the top rope.
11:47Riches in position to count.
11:50Now Gotoh can't get frustrated.
11:52He's got to capitalize every moment.
11:59Do not waste any seconds.
12:00See what I mean?
12:01Don't waste one second.
12:07And now Shibata's starting to get into that zone.
12:12Blocking out all the pain.
12:18Kevin, this is where I would walk away.
12:20Just hang the boots up and say, that's enough.
12:24Yep, done.
12:27I know that if he gets up, he's going to whip my ass.
12:35Catches.
12:39Now these men, told you, have faced each other six times in their professional career.
12:43And their record is two, two, and two.
12:48Now it's interesting that you know those two aren't draws.
12:53No, they're not.
12:54They are double knockouts.
12:56So we are statistically just as likely to have both men knock each other out,
13:00and red shoes call for a double stoppage,
13:02than we are for one man to defeat the other.
13:04Oh, wow!
13:07High money's on Shibata knocking Goto out right now.
13:11Those kicks are lethal.
13:12Nice suplex there.
13:24Center of the ring.
13:26Two count.
13:30Trying to get a look into Goto's eyes right now.
13:33There's many times is he thinking about the next move,
13:38or is he completely defensive right now?
13:41Great abdominal stretch there.
13:42Now what you want to do is you see the left leg of Shibata behind the cap,
13:49the left cap of Goto.
13:52Stretching the oblique muscles.
13:55The right shoulder.
13:56Oh!
13:59Oh!
14:00Video back suplex.
14:01Oh, but Goto springs a life!
14:03Connects with hilarion,
14:05and Shibata says no.
14:19Oh.
14:21Whiplash going on there.
14:23Ah!
14:25Almost defiant, stubborn, refusing to give in.
14:34Stubborn is right.
14:35What a great way to describe it.
14:38Oh, another whiplash-like effect on the injured neck and shoulder of Shibata.
14:48We go into the replay here.
14:50Bam.
14:52Using that quad muscle, that strong quad muscle, you don't really get to see the amount of squats that Godot does.
15:00You don't get to see the development in his quad muscles because of the gear that he wears.
15:09And strong.
15:11Definitely one strong ombre.
15:16Shibata came down and his head went back again as his forehead met the knee.
15:21Oh.
15:22Turns him in.
15:24Oh!
15:25Goto's back up!
15:27Goto's got a fine fighting spirit.
15:31STO!
15:32Both men are down!
15:37Oh, both men are down.
15:47Red Shoes making sure both men are alert enough before he starts his 10 count.
15:57There is what is at stake, fans.
15:58The never-open weight championship.
16:01A championship that when it was first incepted upon first inception
16:07was to indicate the youth and the younger stars.
16:10But what it has morphed into because of the men that have held it
16:13is a rough and rugged style of fighting in this open weight division.
16:19Absolutely a throwback to the old strong style.
16:23We're in the ear of the new strong style of FUJPAN Pro Wrestling.
16:27The never-open weight championship is a throwback to the old style.
16:30They got to explain that to us a few months ago.
16:33And it really made sense.
16:37Caught him.
16:47Rear naked.
16:48Rear naked choke applied.
16:56Is he getting close?
16:57He's got...
16:59Great follow-up.
17:01Back to the rear naked choke.
17:03If Goto gets two, his rear gets set up with a PK kick.
17:12The lights are dimming in the house of Goto right now.
17:16He is using every last bit of energy and breath.
17:19Oh, no, now he's in trouble.
17:31And...
17:32There is no way out of this.
17:35No, there is no escape right now.
17:38There is nothing that Goto could do at this present time.
17:41The way he has it wrapped up.
17:44Yes, yes, yes, yes.
17:46He is literally choking himself out.
17:49The vice-like grip that Shibata has on Goto.
17:54And it is just by some inner strength.
17:58Can he get there?
18:00Is it strength?
18:01Is it instinct?
18:05He did it.
18:07Great job there.
18:09The one final thought in Goto's mind is he was starting to be losing consciousness.
18:16Was to get his foot over the bottom rope.
18:17And he was able to do it.
18:19Pure instinct.
18:20Rich, who's giving?
18:28Oh, no.
18:28Oh, no.
18:34Well, that's unfortunate right there.
18:37But the headbutt just cracked.
18:40Caught him again.
18:42Oh.
18:44PK and now both are down.
18:50Great decision.
18:52Part of Red Shoes not to disqualify Shibata.
18:55I don't know.
18:56I'm questioning it right now.
19:03Certainly would have been within his rights.
19:08I'm a big believer.
19:09You cannot put your hands on the referee.
19:12He's the arbitrator.
19:14Here we go.
19:14PK now.
19:15Goto's back on his feet.
19:20Right to the back of the head again.
19:25Can Goto follow up?
19:28The offensive moves that Goto's hit.
19:32Have been effective.
19:33To the back of the neck.
19:35Here we go.
19:35The GTR.
19:36No.
19:36No.
19:36Can't cover.
19:49Is it enough to?
19:51No.
19:58A shot to tag.
19:59It's a near fall.
20:00Less than half a count away from Hirookigaru claiming the never-open-weight title.
20:08Now can Goto find enough fight to get up or will disappointment cloud his judgment?
20:15He needs to get up.
20:17He needs to execute.
20:19This fierce warrior needs to push Shibata away and put him away quick.
20:25Oh.
20:25Oh.
20:25Oh.
20:25Oh.
20:26Oh.
20:26Oh.
20:27Oh.
20:27Oh.
20:28Oh.
20:28Oh.
20:28Oh.
20:29Oh.
20:29Oh.
20:29Oh.
20:30Oh.
20:32Oh.
20:33Headbox.
20:34Elbows.
20:34Mia Thoreau.
20:36Here it is.
20:37Come on.
20:44Finish him.
20:55One more time.
20:57He's got to do it and do it quick.
20:58Here we go.
20:59GTR!
21:01GTR!
21:03GTR!
21:05GTR!
21:07Blackhook!
21:09Two!
21:11He did it!
21:13He did it!
21:21What a physical war we have just seen
21:23here at Wrestle Kingdom 11!
21:25And the 15th
21:27Never Open Weight Champion
21:29is Hiroki Goto!
21:35This
21:37was the win
21:39that he needed.
21:41Hiroki Goto
21:43becomes the 15th
21:45Never Open Weight Champion
21:47but he may have done
21:49something even more important.
21:51He may have found
21:53that little bit of fighting spirit
21:55that he was missing
21:57to get him over that hump.
21:59This could be
22:01the crossroads win
22:03that he needed.
22:05Again, it was 12 months ago
22:07Wrestle Kingdom 10
22:09that Hiroki Goto
22:11bested Tetsuya Naito.
22:13And a lot of people said that
22:15this is the win that Goto needed.
22:17This was the springboard.
22:19He challenged Okada
22:21and he's the new
22:23never wonderful win class champion
22:25Hiroki Goto!
22:27But then, from there,
22:29came tumbling all down
22:31after coming up short
22:33against Okada in February.
22:35But now, 12 months later
22:37with that title in his hand
22:39You're exactly right, Steve.
22:41This is exactly
22:43what Hiroki Goto needed.
22:45This is the win
22:47that could define his future.
22:51Wow!
22:53What an event we've seen!
22:556
22:57for 6
22:59I gotta ask you this
23:01for Tanahashi
23:03and Omega
23:05are they in their locker rooms
23:07already seeing
23:09that 6 titles
23:10have been on the line
23:11and 6 titles
23:12have changed hands.
23:13But on the flip side
23:15are Naito
23:16and Okada
23:17concerned?
23:19Because tonight
23:20seems the night
23:21that the challengers
23:23have all the momentum.
23:27Tanahashi is such
23:29a major player.
23:31He has main evented
23:32Wrestle Kingdom
23:33so many times.
23:35He knows what it's like
23:36to be in this spot.
23:37Naito
23:38still angry.
23:40Still angry
23:41that he wasn't
23:42in that main event spot
23:43a few years ago.
23:46This
23:47is gonna be something.