Yuji Nagata vs Keiji Muto | August 12, 2001 NJPWRyogoku Kokugikan
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00Folks, it's a blast from the past, and we are taking it back to G1 Climax 11, night
00:0617.
00:07It is August 12, 2001, and I am Walker Stewart, alongside the professor of pro wrestling,
00:12Chris Charlton.
00:13Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.
00:14Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.
00:15I like how you've patterned your facial hair over Keiichi Miura's Osaka 2001.
00:20No problem.
00:21I can exactly call that intention.
00:24Our pal Keiichi Tanaka letting us know that this is the G1 Climax final for 2001.
00:55There we go.
01:00Block A representative Yuji Nagata beat Nasuhiro Chono last night in the semi-finals to get
01:10where he is tonight.
01:12Meanwhile, on the Block B side of things, Keiichi Muto defeating Tadao Kasuda.
01:20And we are on broadcast tonight from Ryogoku Sumo Hall.
01:30Ryogoku Sumo Hall, seemingly by my ears, behind Keiichi Muto, who is on a hell of a stretch
01:41actually in the G1, representing as All Japan Pro Wrestling's Triple Crown Champion, while
01:48still wrestling at this point in time under a full-time contract in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
01:53But that would change early in the following year.
02:01You know, part of the fun of going back and watching these matches and getting to call
02:05them for a new audience who might not have seen them back in 2001 is the contextualization,
02:10Chris.
02:11And I got to ask you, was there a controversy surrounding that, Keiichi Muto being on a
02:15full-time contract with New Japan and still Triple Crown Champion in All Japan?
02:19Well, I think All Japan is at quite a unique state and position at this point in time.
02:27I mean, we're less than a year out from the grand exodus from All Japan Pro Wrestling
02:35to Mitsuhiro Misawa forming Pro Wrestling NOAH.
02:39And that really sort of changed the shape, went on to change the shape of the IWGP Heavyweight
02:45Championship scene as well, because everybody had left.
02:49It was Kawada that was left and wrestled Kensuke Sasaki.
02:53You know, and at the Tokyo Dome, what happened there in a non-title match, Kensuke Sasaki
02:58lost, but so upset with losing the honor of being IWGP Champion and losing to an outsider
03:06that he voluntarily vacated the championship belt.
03:10Yuji Nagata was actually part of the tournament that happened in January the 4th this year
03:15in 2001 to crown a new IWGP Heavyweight Champion, was unsuccessful.
03:22And now we're in a position where Yuji Nagata has tried once earlier this year to become
03:32IWGP Heavyweight Champion, wrestled Kazuki Fujita back in June, came up short there.
03:41This is his next best shot for another opportunity.
03:45There's a bit of an elephant in the room tonight in Ryogoku Sumo Hall with the fact that Yuji
03:49Nagata has never beaten Keiji Muto in singles action.
03:52It's 0-3, 3-0 to Muto.
03:56An impressive 4-1 record for Keiji Muto over the course of his league as well.
04:03The only loss was to Satoshi Kojima.
04:09He, Osamu Nishimura, Jushin Thunder Liger, who was in as a junior heavyweight, Hiroyoshi
04:14Tenzan and Masahiro Chono.
04:17There's Yuji Nagata, 3-1 and 1 over in the A Block.
04:22A double count out to Kazunari Murakami.
04:25A loss to Minami Nakanishi.
04:28And then wins over Minoru Tanaka, Tadao Yasta and Tatsumi Fujinami.
04:38You also see, everybody sort of would talk about, Tetsuya Naito had talked about how Keiji
04:47Muto is deceptively large and at this point in very, very good shape.
04:53Really, you could argue, he's primed physically and still agile and yet able to use his size
05:00to really smother his opponent.
05:02Not so much the case here, though, Walker.
05:05Nagata's got his hooks in there from trying to make Muto sprawl and get into a rear mount
05:12situation.
05:13The background of Yuji Nagata, highly documented.
05:17Professional acumen on the mat as Nagata continuing this assault here on to Keiji Muto.
05:23You see how Muto actually hooked that leg, though.
05:26He's got that as an option if he can get free.
05:30And still, that's the second time now.
05:32Wow.
05:33Nagata now has got that rear mount in.
05:37There's a lot of places you can go from here, Chris.
05:41Well, I mean, the most effective way would be to punch Keiji Muto in the back of his
05:46head.
05:47Sure.
05:48A bit of a different option here for Nagata.
05:51Trying to take the arm and Keiji Muto rolls out.
05:53I think it speaks to the sportsman-like conduct of Yuji Nagata, though, is to try.
05:57He wants to try and out-wrestle him.
05:59You say he's got that losing record, hasn't beaten Keiji Muto one on one.
06:04Yuji Nagata has never in his career been someone to take a cheap option.
06:10And that is a spirit that Yuji Nagata holds on to even today in 2024 while we do this recording.
06:16Indeed, you're right.
06:20So Yuji Nagata, in a sense, embodying that old philosophy of Antonio Inoki's.
06:29I think something that trying to modernize strong style at this point in time.
06:37The king of sports philosophy.
06:39Him with his stable of G-eggs at this point in time.
06:43Comprised of guys with martial arts backgrounds, amateur wrestling backgrounds.
06:52Would it be fair, Chris, at this point in time, we're talking 2001, to consider Yuji
06:57Nagata unproven in the main event scene.
06:59By this time, Keiji Muto, a three-time IWGP heavyweight champion, current triple crown
07:04champion.
07:05You heard it at the bell.
07:06People sort of acknowledging Keiji Muto as the guy to beat in this situation.
07:12Obviously, the old adage of to be the man, you have to beat the man.
07:18And you have to have held a championship or a top flight championship, which Yuji Nagata
07:25has not at this point in time.
07:30Muto has experience in G1 Climax victory.
07:33Takes it back to 1995.
07:35Indeed.
07:36That was the only time he had won it, though.
07:42There was a lot of talk.
07:43Keiji Muto was kind of frustrated at different times.
07:47Never won the tournament in the summer until 1995.
07:50And not a tap there.
07:52I mean, that's a judgment call for Tiger Hattori.
07:55You definitely would call it such.
07:57But Yuji Nagata holding on tight here.
07:59And you can hear this crowd come up.
08:01Maria Goku, Sumo Hall.
08:02They know exactly what they want tonight, Chris.
08:12Is there a little bit of hint of frustration there on Yuji Nagata that that shot did not
08:16work out for?
08:17Maybe.
08:18I think a little bit of frustration if he could hear or feel the tap.
08:21I think he might have had an argument with Tiger Hattori.
08:31Keiji Muto is not saying a word.
08:33Keiji Muto has never been one to tap to anybody.
08:37Just ask him.
08:38Certainly would.
08:42Can't talk enough about the great shape that Keiji Muto is in at this point in his career.
08:46Just absolutely sensational.
08:49At this point, keeping up a near full-time schedule between New Japan Pro Wrestling and
08:55All Japan Pro Wrestling.
08:57Let's see.
08:58I think that in the long run paid a heavy physical toll on Keiji Muto.
09:03But the skill and the ability in this.
09:06The flash and elbow.
09:07Bam.
09:08Explosivity right there out of Keiji Muto.
09:12Bam.
09:13Look at that.
09:14Expert takedown from Keiji Muto.
09:17Keiji Muto has...
09:19I mean, I think you could easily sort of underestimate his ability as a submission wrestler.
09:27Figure four, of course.
09:28Figure four finished with Nobuhiko Takada, notwithstanding Tokido.
09:33He was one of the guys, actually, that Antonio Inoki, back in the 80s, was trying to get
09:40a bunch of people to follow him.
09:42Actually, back in the 80s, was trying to get a bunch of people to train Sambo.
09:47That was his...
09:49He had the concept of a mixed martial arts brand at this point.
09:53I want all of my guys, all of the guys that I really like, to go and train Sambo.
09:58And Keiji Muto took one class and was of the mentality at the time of doing something once
10:04and then saying, I can do that now.
10:05I'm perfect.
10:06I understand.
10:07I don't want to do it.
10:08And that's the position that Keiji Muto had.
10:11That's the position that Keiji Muto had, I think.
10:14These huge knee shots, right to the side of the skull of Keiji Muto.
10:18And right back down into the cross arm breaker.
10:22Well, quick as a flash.
10:24Now, it didn't work for Keiji Muto.
10:26Straight back onto his feet as soon as he could.
10:33Now, out of the corner.
10:34Here comes Nagata.
10:35Here we go.
10:36Space rolling.
10:37Caught.
10:38Here we go.
10:39Taken right back down.
10:40Cross face.
10:41Nagata locked in right here.
10:46And this Nagata lock could be exactly what brings Yuji Nagata into the forefront of a G1 Climax victory.
10:56Dead center of the ring here.
10:59This Nagata and Muto.
11:02Muto has a long way to go if he wants to make the ropes.
11:10Nagata! Nagata! Nagata!
11:18Nagata! Nagata! Nagata!
11:23And still walk up this crowd in Ryogoku.
11:26Solidly behind the Chip Crown champion.
11:33It's going to be on Yuji Nagata to bring this audience to a forefront on his side.
11:40And a shock victory here over the Triple Crown champion could earn just that.
11:45As Muto to the bottom rope.
11:50Just one year ago, Kensuke Sasaki won the G1 as IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
11:58Muto looking to repeat the feat as Triple Crown champion.
12:02Yuji Nagata switching levels here.
12:06Oh, caught by the Dragon Screw Leg Whip from Keiji Muto.
12:12And stays right on the attack here. You know it, you love it.
12:15Caught in the triangle with the arm.
12:17Yuji Nagata almost want to say that he baited Muto in there.
12:24Knowing he had a great counter to that Figure 4 Leg Lock.
12:30Knew that Figure 4 Leg Lock was coming and now Nagata locked in on his own.
12:36He's up.
12:40Seen this head and arm triangle come in handy for Yuji Nagata.
12:46Used it very, very effectively against Scott Norton three years ago when he first challenged for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
12:55Now trying to put Muto to sleep with it.
12:59Nagata Lock 3 locked in here for Yuji and it is Keiji Muto to the bottom rope once again.
13:13Such an expert striker is Yuji Nagata.
13:20Keiji Muto matches fire with fire.
13:23Matches fire with fire.
13:26Playing a dangerous game by switching levels and going for those.
13:35That's Hobo Nagata, you know what Muto wants.
13:46The weakening of that knee for Yuji Nagata, that's a dangerous game that's being played right now Chris.
13:52Dragon Screw Leg Whip from Keiji Muto and if we could see it, we could see the winner of G1 Climax.
14:00Figure 4 Leg Lock.
14:08And now it's Yuji Nagata who's a million miles away from the ropes.
14:21And still those hands in the air of Keiji Muto is an act of defiance and does not want to go down in this fashion or form.
14:31Trying to maintain whatever leverage he has looked there.
14:34Lifting up the left boot of Keiji Muto.
14:38Trying to ease some of that pressure.
14:42As he inches his way over to the ropes.
14:45Nagata trying as he might.
14:47Muto wants to keep this dead center.
14:50As close as he can to it.
14:58And to the bottom rope, Yuji Nagata makes it.
15:07It's this middle rope here.
15:10Once again to the knee of Nagata.
15:13Nagata didn't really have a defense for that.
15:17He thought Muto would be going high, went low instead.
15:26Dragon Screw takedown once again.
15:29Something special about Keiji Muto on this night.
15:322001, the finals of G1 Climax 11.
15:35And we could see it all come to a crescendo right here.
15:43And it's a world of agony that Yuji Nagata is in right now, Chris.
15:48Grimacing in pain is Yuji Nagata.
15:51And in the meantime, Keiji Muto looking like he's taking a nice Sunday drive.
16:00Here you see his best friend, of course, Minaba Nakanishi, rushing on from ringside.
16:07G1 Climax 9 winner.
16:09G1 Climax 9 winner.
16:12Trying to pull for his friend and rival to win G1 Climax 11.
16:17And cranking that on tight.
16:19That definitely isn't a tap walker.
16:22That's Muto applying more and more pressure.
16:24Yeah, far from it here tonight.
16:26Yuji Nagata trying as he might to make it to those bottom ropes.
16:29Trying to rotate out.
16:31Changes direction.
16:33And we gotta break this one up.
16:40That's what I'm talking about.
16:47That's taking a tall walker using that figure four.
16:50Maybe a little bit of a top on Muto's own legs.
16:57Legs like jelly has Yuji Nagata right now.
17:02You see this whole match has been about superiority.
17:06Superiority.
17:08Technical superiority.
17:10Submission superiority.
17:12Got it!
17:14Got the ankle!
17:18Trapped in a heel hook is Keiji Muto.
17:25A little bit of desperation for Yuji Nagata but that's exactly what he needs.
17:31And we could be nearing closer and closer to the end the longer this heel hook is locked in.
17:37He's seen throughout this match just how much this has been about proving superiority of technique.
17:54I don't think anybody has won ropes once in this bout.
17:57Oh no.
17:59Muto came off the second with a drop kick earlier but everything else has been dead set in that center.
18:06Where Keiji Muto is now and where he is struggling badly.
18:10Yeah you hit it with the nail right on the head there.
18:13It's been all about technique and one man's technique will be superior to the other.
18:17And right now Keiji Muto still has a shot at this.
18:21Oh what a great look up from the upper deck there in Ryogoku Sumo Hall.
18:37Yeah after that work he did earlier on on the arm now Nagata solely focused on the leg.
18:44Got him!
18:46Yuji Gatame!
18:48No! Yuji Nagata!
18:50Salute to the crowd!
18:52Nagata Lock 1!
18:55Nagata Lock 1 locked in right here.
19:00Keiji Muto may have no choice but to tap.
19:07Yeah here almost a collective scream for the crowd who cannot believe
19:14that Nagata has Keiji Muto the favorite on the precipice of defeat.
19:30And for Yuji Nagata's crowning moment Keiji Muto has won.
19:34For Yuji Nagata's crowning moment Keiji Muto is still alive in this one
19:38but for how much longer can the triple crown champion last?
19:49See how that's even higher and tighter on the knees both of them
19:54even than Muto's figure 4 was on Nagata.
20:05Keiji Muto 10 years ago part of the very first G1 final.
20:10Oh and Nagata tries to attack for a new generation
20:14and we talked earlier Walker about how much of this match was dead set in the middle of the canvas.
20:20Twice now Yuji Nagata creating distance using the ropes and twice paying a dear dear price for it.
20:28Keiji Muto now has Nagata up Frankensteiner maybe.
20:32It's coming!
20:34Frankensteiner!
20:44Keiji Muto into the cover here now!
20:52Very few pinning attempts that we've seen throughout this match tonight Chris.
20:56It's been a lot of submission, it's been a lot of technicality
20:59and now we are straying away from that game plan.
21:01You have to do it to pick up the win tonight.
21:04Here's the game plan right now.
21:06You know what's coming round in body press.
21:09Here we go!
21:14Right down into Juji Gatame.
21:22Now is that the extension he wants?
21:24It's the one he needs and Nagata extends to that bottom rope just the same.
21:28Literally the tips and his toes right there.
21:33Nakanishi trying to offer some advice.
21:36He's beaten Muto before in a 2-1 final.
21:42It's going to take the words of Manabu Nakanishi.
21:44It's going to take the 11,500 on deck tonight
21:47and Ryogoku Sumo Hall to pull this one out in the end.
21:50Sane in the corner, no way!
21:53He kicked the top rope, no!
21:59German suplex from Juji Nagata.
22:02Keiji Muto has never won to pass the torch walk
22:06and Nagata has to seize it himself for his clutch.
22:09Exploder!
22:11Muto up!
22:13Shining Wizard!
22:14This crowd is electric tonight.
22:29This is the finals of G1 Climax 11
22:32and you can feel it in Ryogoku.
22:44Nagata!
22:51Take it!
22:53Rolling Sabat Kick.
22:56There it is!
22:58Back the other way!
23:00Matching fire with fire.
23:03Strike for strike.
23:05Muto on top and now shining.
23:08He got him, he got him, here we go!
23:11Nagata Raku, Nagata Raku locked in right now.
23:14He can do it here.
23:16Muto's got no choice now.
23:19He cracks it in tighter and tighter.
23:26Ryogoku Nagata has won G1 Climax 11.