Read on Twitter
Deep Dive! Shelton X Benjamin vs Shinsuke Nakamura, G1 Climax Block B, New Japan Pro Wrestling 2013.
(This was originally early access content for Ko-Fi patrons at http://Ko-Fi.com/CatchWrestling on November 23rd 2020).
(This was originally early access content for Ko-Fi patrons at http://Ko-Fi.com/CatchWrestling on November 23rd 2020).
Before Shinsuke Nakamura can complete his signature entrance that delights the audience, he suffers a sneak attack from Shelton Benjamin, setting the tone early on.
Indeed Benjamin continues to attack Nakamura with his own ring jacket, before adding further insult to injury by mocking his trademark pose.
Just within a couple of minutes the dynamic of protagonist and antagonist is effectively established,
Just within a couple of minutes the dynamic of protagonist and antagonist is effectively established,
Nakamura mounts a comeback as Benjamin plays too much into his game, firing off stiff strikes until his leg is caught. Benjamin drops Nakamura with a vicious looking falling kneebreaker.
It’s the left leg that Benjamin attacks and Nakamura sells: a key point going forward.
It’s the left leg that Benjamin attacks and Nakamura sells: a key point going forward.
Benjamin wrenches on the knee of Nakamura. It’s not a standing Achilles or a Half Boston Crab, which targets the foot or hip and lower back respectively.
It’s just great to see not only working of the leg he ‘hurt’ earlier, but specifically the correct part of the leg too.
It’s just great to see not only working of the leg he ‘hurt’ earlier, but specifically the correct part of the leg too.
A couple of punts to the hamstring and Benjamin shows off with a British Figure Four – a sideways version of an Indian Death Lock.
Nakamura tries to fight out of the precarious entanglement but Benjamin increases the pressure by bridging his hips up and into him. It looks vicious and completely believable.
Having fought towards and onto the Apron, Nakamura surprises Benjamin with a shin to the skull. Seeking to keep this advantage Nakamura attacks with a series of strong knee strikes – using the leg that Benjamin had been working on.
Back in the ring as Benjamin is being counted out, Nakamura is still favouring his left knee and tries to stimulate some life into it. It’s a small detail easy to glance over in real time viewing, but it shows Nakamura understands the story aspect of action and consequence.
With Benjamin beating the count, Nakamura switches attack using his healthy leg to stomp Benjamin in the corner (more subtle storytelling).
Also interesting to note is as Nakamura gets ‘carried away’ he instinctively delivers a Left knee strike, which may cost him later on.
Also interesting to note is as Nakamura gets ‘carried away’ he instinctively delivers a Left knee strike, which may cost him later on.
Nakamura delivers a series of his trademark corner knees, exciting the crowd and gets a near-fall pin attempt. Clip with sound as it’s a delight to hear the audience react 
Based on all that has happened so far this is a near perfect spot. Nakamura blocks a suplex attempt so Benjamin throws a couple of punches but importantly kicks at his bad knee.
Unstable in his footing, Benjamin takes him out with a spinning neckbreaker. Just smart, clever stuff
Unstable in his footing, Benjamin takes him out with a spinning neckbreaker. Just smart, clever stuff
Benjamin stuns Nakamura with a Superkick which leads to a German Suplex with bridge. Nakamura kicks out, but Benjamin maintains his grip and repeats.
Benjamin is showing that he wants to win the match with these techniques and isn’t just doing them for the sake of showmanship.
Benjamin is showing that he wants to win the match with these techniques and isn’t just doing them for the sake of showmanship.
Nakamura mounts a comeback with his signature strikes, a backstabber and an an inverted powerslam.
Sensing that victory is near Nakamura charges at Benjamin looking for his Bomaye – what is now known as a Kinshasa in WWE.
Benjamin gets out of the way but eats a version of the signature move as Nakamura dives off the middle rope.
Benjamin gets out of the way but eats a version of the signature move as Nakamura dives off the middle rope.
Nakamura ascends the turnbuckles perhaps to look for an even more devastating Bomaye, but Benjamin shows off his amazing athleticism by leaping from the the ring canvas to the top rope.
Benjamin sends Nakamura crashing to the mat with an avalanche Half-Halch Suplex.
Benjamin sends Nakamura crashing to the mat with an avalanche Half-Halch Suplex.
Benjamin ducks the kicks similar to the ones Nakamura tried before. Benjamin tries to push kick Nakamura but is caught, however it was a bait for his signature Dragon Whip kick.
A nice reversal of expectations as Nakamura is seen as the ‘striker’ and Benjamin the ‘grappler’.
A nice reversal of expectations as Nakamura is seen as the ‘striker’ and Benjamin the ‘grappler’.
Benjamin looks to win with a top rope diving Blockbuster but Nakamura kicks out with a fraction of a second to spare. Included with sound to again appreciate the amazing audience.
Benjamin looks for his Paydirt finish (a jumping reverse cutter / ‘complete shot’) but Nakamura avoids.
Nakamura has the rear waistlock, but Benjamin does a beautiful level change Switch, trips Nakamura and applies the Stopper Toe Hold. Simple but elegant.
Nakamura has the rear waistlock, but Benjamin does a beautiful level change Switch, trips Nakamura and applies the Stopper Toe Hold. Simple but elegant.
Nakamura counters the standing ankle lock with an Enziguri kick, delivers a knee and looks for his Bomaye but Benjamin perhaps playing a little possum catches him coming in with Paydirt for the win.
That’s the end of the Deep Dive! Big Thanks to my http://Ko-Fi.com/CatchWrestling Supporters for making this possible with your donations.
Thank you for reading, and please retweet!
Thank you for reading, and please retweet!
