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[Complete Results]
For the first time since 1994, the annual tag league had both a heavyweight and junior version. Indeed, "G1 TAG LEAGUE 2001" kicked off with a junior tag league, running from 11/16 Ishikawa to 11/25 Tokyo, with six teams involved. Following a stand-alone event in Fujimi on 11/25, which featured a one night G1 Jr. 6 Man Tag League, it was on to the heavyweight version, with eight teams battling it out from 11/30 Kyoto all the way to the big climax on 12/11 at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. In addition to the major tag leagues, Keiji Muto would defend his Triple Crown in Osaka against Tatsumi Fujinami, a prelude to the big G1 Tag League finale.
Foreign participation:
Dan Devine: All shows
Giant Silva (CMLL/Team 2000): 11/30 to 12/11
Giant Singh (Team 2000): 12/7 to 12/11
Mike Barton (All Japan/Team 2000): All shows
Jim Steele (All Japan/Team 2000): All shows
Rob Rage: All shows
Scott Norton (Team 2000): 11/30 to 12/11
Super J (Team 2000): 11/30 to 12/11
Taiyo Kea (All Japan/BATT): 12/11 only
Black Tiger (CMLL): All shows
GOKU-DO (Team 2000): All shows
Special participation:
Hiroshi Hase (BATT): 12/11 only
Gran Naniwa: All shows
G1 Tag League(s) 2001 scoring system: Win (2 points), draw (1 point), loss (0 points)
G1 Tag League:
1. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi
2. Kensuke Sasaki & Dan Devine
3. Osamu Nishimura & Jushin Thunder Liger
4. Kenzo Suzuki & Hiroshi Tanahashi
5. Masahiro Chono & Giant Silva
6. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima
7. Scott Norton & Super J
8. Mike Barton & Jim Steele
G1 Jr. Tag League:
1. Jushin Thunder Liger & El Samurai
2. Minoru Tanaka & Masayuki Naruse
3. Katsuyori Shibata & Wataru Inoue
4. Kendo Kashin & Black Tiger
5. Jado & Gedo
6. Masahito Kakihara & Gran Naniwa
Points of note:
(11/16) The first G1 Jr. Tag League since 1994 began with three matches in Ishikawa. Kakihara & Naniwa downed Shibata & Inoue, a good start for the odd couple. Tanaka & Naruse defeated Kashin & Black Tiger (third generation) when Tanaka dealt Kashin his first loss since returning to New Japan, pinning him with a backslide. And in a battle of two heavy favourites, Liger & Samurai fought to a 30 minute draw with the team that took the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Title from them in July, Jado & Gedo.
(11/16) Tenzan & Kojima's woes continued on the opening day, when they lost in a six man tag match, Tenzan being cradled by President Fujinami for the defeat. A big win for Fujinami going into his Triple Crown match against Muto in Osaka.
(11/23) In a wild tournament match, Jado & Gedo defeated Kashin & Black Tiger when Kashin was DQ'd. Little was settled by the outcome, and an IWGP Jr. Tag Title match between the teams was hurriedly determined for 12/2 Aichi.
(11/23) After three successive tournament wins, Tanaka & Naruse suffered a major upset loss to Kakihara & Naniwa, who subsequently picked up their second win.
(11/23) Young lion, Tanahashi, won the support of the Korakuen Hall crowd when he teamed with Nagata against Tenzan & Kojima. Nagata and Tanahashi exploited TenKoji's shocking lack of form and breakdown in teamwork, taking the former IWGP Tag Team Champions over 20 minutes, before Tanahashi fell to Tenzan's TTD.
(11/23) Shibata & Inoue scored their first win of the tournament, amazingly beating Liger & Samurai in the main event. The finish also came as a massive shock, when Liger submitted to Wataru's Triangle Lancer, sending Korakuen into a frenzy of delight!
(11/24) On the final day of G1 Jr. Tag League group stage matches, Jado & Gedo beat Shibata & Inoue, while Liger & Samurai bested Tanaka & Naruse, setting up a rematch of Liger & Samurai vs. Jado & Gedo for the final tomorrow.
(11/24) In their desperate attempt to find consistent form before the G1 Tag League, TenKoji picked up another win, beating Nagata & Yoshie, a vital pre-tournament victory.
(11/25) Whatever form TenKoji had gathered with recent wins was undone when they suffered a damaging loss to the team they successfully defended the IWGP Tag Team Title against in February, Nakanishi & Nishimura, Nakanishi submitting Kojima with an armlock.
(11/25) Revenge was sweet, as in the 2001 G1 Jr. Tag League final, Liger & Samurai avenged their Sapporo Dome loss to thugs, Jado & Gedo, defeating them in a desperate struggle. The finish saw Samurai trap Jado in a chickenwing armlock for the submission, the IWGP Jr. Tag Champions failing to secure a junior tag monopoly.
(11/26) A one night G1 Jr. 6 Man Tag Team Tournament was held in Fujimi, with four trios aiming at the same prize. The semi finals saw Tanaka, Naruse & Kakihara defeat Kashin, Shibata & Inoue, and Jado, Gedo & GOKU-DO down Liger, Samurai & Naniwa, revenge of sorts for Jado & Gedo after yesterday's crushing loss. Team Tanaka captured the prize, downing Team 2000 in the main event when Kakihara slapped a cross armbreaker on GOKU-DO for the submission.
(11/26) In addition to the trios tournament, the fans enjoyed a New Japan vs. Team 2000 2/3 Falls Match, which saw Nagata, Nakanishi, Kenzo & Tanahashi beat Tenzan, Kojima, Hiro & Goto by 2-1.
(11/30) In the first G1 Tag League match, a huge upset went down, with the young lion team of Kenzo & Tanahashi defeating Norton & Super J when Suzuki cradled J. A great start to an important tour for the youngsters.
(11/30) Nagata & Nakanishi began their reunion tour as a tandem, fending off a tough threat from the underdog duo of Nishimura & Liger, Mr. Unbelievable lifting Nishimura into an Argentine backbreaker for the submission win.
(11/30) Chono & Silva also got off to a good start, beating the on-form team of Kensuke & Devine when Silva pinned Devine.
(11/30) One of All Japan's top tag teams, Mike Barton & Jim Steele, representing Chono and Team 2000, got off to a tremendous start, defeating the T2000 rebels, Tenzan & Kojima. In a heated match, the gaijin were able to take advantage of TenKoji's lack of form, Barton pinning Kojima for the win.
(12/1) Chono & Silva made it two in a row, bringing Kenzo & Tanahashi's early form to a halt when Chono pinned Suzuki.
(12/1) Barton & Steele suffered their first loss too, falling to Kensuke & Devine. Sasaki introduced Steele to New Japan the hard way, making him submit to a cross armbreaker.
(12/1) As if TenKoji's misfortune couldn't get any worse, they fell to Nishimura & Liger today. A thriller lasting over 25 minutes, it could have gone either way, but another shock finish saw Liger level Tenzan with a shotei for the 3 count!
(12/1) Norton & J got a much needed first win in the main event, downing Nagata & Nakanishi when the gaijin ace powerbombed Nagata for the pin.
(12/2) With his 1/4 Tokyo Dome opponent, Takada Dojo's Daijiro Matsui, sitting at ringside, Kashin tried to send a message to him by attempting (with Black Tiger) to capture the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title from champions, Jado & Gedo. However, Kashin's showing off would cost him, as he was humiliated in the worst way possible, falling to Gedo's Superfly splash in under 8 minute. A successful V4 defense for the dominant champions, which left Kashin red-faced under his mask.
(12/2) Barton & Steele were taken close to 17 minutes by Kenzo & Tanahashi, but scored their second win when Steele gave Tanahashi his Turbo Drop II, the outsiders continuing to make an impression.
(12/2) With at least one upset per show on the opening days, the trend continued in Aichi, with Nishimura & Liger, quickly gaining a reputation as successful underdogs, defeated Norton & J, Nishimura stunning J with a ground Cobra Twist for the win.
(12/2) Somehow it managed to get worse for TenKoji, with yet another loss, and a very crushing one. With their rebellion against Chono still in effect, they faced their mentor and Silva in hopes of sending a message to him, but it went the opposite way, with Chono pinning his direct disciple, Tenzan, following a union sky high lariat.
(12/2) Kensuke & Devine continued to make their own waves when, in the main event, they took down former IWGP Tag Team Champions, Nagata & Nakanishi, Sasaki's rampage continuing when he submitted Nakanishi with a grounded headlock.
(12/3) Nishimura & Liger almost added another win to their record when they faced Barton & Steele, taking the much bigger men over 20 minutes. It wasn't to be today though, Liger falling to Barton.
(12/3) FINALLY, Tenzan & Kojima got their first win of the tournament, but they had to wait until they faced young lion opposition to get it, as Kenzo & Tanahashi fell to the New Japan's most loved tag team.
(12/3) Nagata & Nakanishi bounced back with a strong win, defeating Chono & Silva when the giant was counted out.
(12/3) Norton & J, struggling for form themselves, got their second main event win of the tournament, besting Kensuke & Devine when Norton sunk Devine into the mat with a powerbomb.
(12/7) Americans clashed, when Norton & J tackled Barton & Steele. Neither team was able to break down the other in an intense match, the 30 minute time limit expiring.
(12/7) After their opening day win, Kenzo & Tanahashi continued to lose to more experienced teams, today falling to Kensuke & Devine.
(12/7) They did it again, Nishimura & Liger securing their biggest upset victory yet when they defeated Chono & Silva! Nishimura's big run of form continued when he incredibly pinned Chono, using a ground Cobra Twist for the win!
(12/7) TenKoji picked up a critical win, beating their greatest rivals, Nagata & Nakanishi, in the main event. Tenzan hit Nakanishi with the TTD for the 1-2-3, and TenKoji earned their second win in a row after a terrible start.
(12/8) Kenzo & Tanahashi finally accomplished their elusive second win, upsetting the kings of upsets, Nishimura & Liger, when Tanahashi gave Liger a German suplex hold for the his first ever win over the junior titan.
(12/8) Norton & J also neared a place in the final, beating Chono & Silva when Norton powerbombed his T2000 leader.
(12/8) Nagata & Nakanishi prevented a definite place in the final for Barton & Steele, overcoming the All Japan unit when Nakanishi put away Steele with an Argentine backbreaker.
(12/8) TenKoji's sudden comeback continued with another win, the two today beating Kensuke & Devine when Kojima lariated Devine to tie them up with three other teams on six points.
(12/9) The final day of group stage matches began with Nagata & Nakanishi beating Kenzo & Tanahashi to put them on eight points, and possibly putting them in the final, depending on other results.
(12/9) Barton & Steele shocked the world when they directly qualified for the final with a win over Chono & Silva. Silva accidentally struck Chono with a lunge off the top rope, Chono hitting his head on the mat. He lost much feeling in his body, raising fears of a re-injury to his previously broken neck. Barton quickly pinned Chono, securing a surprise place in the final!
(12/9) Kensuke & Devine, like Nagata & Nakanishi, finished on eight points, following a win over Nishimura & Liger, Sasaki submitting Nishimura with a cross armbreaker in just 156 seconds!
(12/9) TenKoji's incredible run of form earned them a place in the finals when they downed Norton & J, winning their third consecutive main event to put them on eight points. This forced two decision matches in Osaka to see who would meet Barton & Steele in the grand final.
(12/11) In a semi finalist decision match, Nagata & Nakanishi avenged their loss to Kensuke & Devine earlier in the tour, Nagata trapping Devine in the Nagata Lock II to advance.
(12/11) BATT's Hiroshi Hase & Taiyo Kea faced Kenzo & Tanahashi, who were fresh off completing in a progressive G1 Tag League. However, they fell to the All Japan-based duo, Hase pinning Tanahashi with a Northern Light suplex hold.
(12/11) Tenzan & Kojima moved one step closer to tournament victory when they bested Nagata & Nakanishi for the second time in the forced G1 Tag League semi final. Having already wrestled for 15 minutes, Nagata & Nakanishi were tired, but took TenKoji another 17 1/2 minutes before Nakanishi fell to Kojima's lariat.
(12/11) Koji Kanemoto made his full-time return to the ring, after his initial return match in October, leading Jado, Gedo & GOKU-DO. However, the T2000 thugs fell to Liger, Kashin, Tanaka & Black Tiger today, with Tanaka submitting Gedo.
(12/11) History was made when Muto made his V4 defense of the Triple Crown against Fujinami, the legend making his first challenge for the prestigious title. Muto's last match of a wonderful year was a successful victory, as he pinned the Dragon after a patented Shining Wizard.
(12/11) TenKoji found themselves in a similar position to Nagata & Nakanishi earlier on, facing fresh opponents having already wrestled a grueling match. But this amazing team, after coming back from three successive losses to reach the final with five wins, wasn't about to go down easily. In a classic match of endurance and strength, Tenzan & Kojima summoned every ounce of fighting spirit left, and took Barton & Steele over 24 minutes. Not only did they take Barton & Steele that far, they also DEFEATED them! With Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium at boiling point, fans standing, dancing, screaming, Tenzan ascended the turnbuckles and dropped a moonsault press on Steele for the legendary tournament victory! One of the most epic, memorable comebacks in wrestling history was complete, TenKoji winning their first G1 Tag League and if there was any doubt before, cementing themselves as one of the greatest teams to ever live! Doing live commentary on the PPV broadcast, Chono declared in awe, "Tenzan and Kojima became a team representing Japan", and requested a handshake and reunion. Having come this far though, TenKoji refused, and both giants (Silva and Singh), along with Kanemoto, sided with them! Such success was clearly influential with the troops, Tenzan & Kojima seemingly nearing a complete overthrow of Chono's T2000 leadership!
Miscellaneous:
The final standings of the 2001 G1 Tag League looked as follows,
1. Mike Barton & Jim Steele [9]
2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima [8]
3. Kensuke Sasaki & Dan Devine [8]
4. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi [8]
5. Scott Norton & Super J [7]
6. Osamu Nishimura & Jushin Thunder Liger [6]
7. Masahiro Chono & Giant Silva [6]
8. Kenzo Suzuki & Hiroshi Tanahashi [4]
Semi Finalist Decision Match: Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi beat Kensuke Sasaki & Dan Devine (14:40) when Nagata used the Nagata Lock II on Devine.
Semi Final: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima beat Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi (17:25) when Kojima used a lariat on Nakanishi.
Final: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima beat Mike Barton & Jim Steele (24:02) when Tenzan used a moonsault press on Steele.
The final standings of the 2001 G1 Jr. Tag League looked as follows,
1. Jushin Thunder Liger & El Samurai [7]
2. Jado & Gedo [7]
3. Minoru Tanaka & Masayuki Naruse [6]
4. Kendo Kashin & Black Tiger [4]
5. Masahito Kakihara & Gran Naniwa [4]
6. Katsuyori Shibata & Wataru Inoue [2]
Final: Jushin Thunder Liger & El Samurai beat Jado & Gedo (21:10) when Samurai used a chickenwing armlock on Jado.
Stuart's 2001 G1 Tag League Awards:
MVP: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima
Best Bout: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima vs. Mike Barton & Jim Steele (12/11)
Outstanding Performance Award: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima
Fighting Spirit Award: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima
Most Inspirational Award: Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima
Stuart's 2001 G1 Jr. Tag League Awards:
MVP: Jushin Thunder Liger & El Samurai
Best Bout: Jushin Thunder Liger & El Samurai vs. Katsuyori Shibata & Wataru Inoue (11/23)
Outstanding Performance Award: Jushin Thunder Liger & El Samurai
Fighting Spirit Award: Katsuyori Shibata & Wataru Inoue
Most Inspirational Award: Katsuyori Shibata & Wataru Inoue
Back to: "OSAMU KIDO RETIREMENT SHOW" (11/2/01)
Forward to: "DREAM * WIN" (12/23/01)
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