Fellow faction members face off with ferocity!

After three days off, Block A is back! Will Kota Ibushi continue his momentum from beating Kazuchika Okada and be in pole position for the finals?

NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Block A – Jeff Cobb VS Shingo Takagi; Cobb wins.
• Block A – Kazuchika Okada VS Yujiro Takahashi; Okada wins.
• Block A – Minoru Suzuki VS Taichi; Taichi wins.
• Block A – Tomohiro Ishii VS Will Ospreay; Ospreay wins.
• Block A – Jay White VS Kota Ibushi; White wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Will Ospreay: 1-0, 2 points
Taichi: 1-0, 2 points
Minoru Suzuki: 1-0, 2 points
Jay White: 1-0, 2 points
Kota Ibushi: 1-0, 2 points
Kazuchika Okada: 0-1, 0 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 0-1, 0 points
Shingo Takagi: 0-1, 0 points
Jeff Cobb: 0-1, 0 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 0-1, 0 points

Block A – Jeff Cobb VS Shingo Takagi!

Neither the Hawaiian Hulk or the Dragon won in round one, but here’s their second chance! Who earns points and who falls down lower to open day 3 of the G1?

The bell rings and the two tie up right away. They are in a deadlock, but Cobb pushes Takagi back. Takagi turns things around in the corner, but lets up, to then CHOP! Fans cheer as Takagi whips but Cobb reverses. Cobb runs into a boot, Takagi runs and they collide with shoulders. Neither man backs down so they start throwing forearms! The fans rally, they shift to CHOPS, and Takagi eggs Cobb on. Cobb CHOPS and CHOPS, Takagi double CHOPS! Takagi runs, fakes Cobb out and runs him over! Cobb sits up, Takagi runs but Cobb dropkicks! Fans cheer the agility as Cobb brings Takagi back up. Cobb goes to suplex but Takagi blocks. Cobb still tries, Takagi fights back, Takagi wrenches and forearms! Takagi whips but Cobb blocks!

Cobb reverses, and catches Takagi on the rebound for an OVERHEAD Suplex! Cobb grins and the fans cheer as Cobb drags Takagi up. Cobb throws forearms, and a headbutt! Cobb brings Takagi out, clubs him down, then covers, ONE! It won’t be so easy, so Cobb brings Takagi up for a bearhug. Takagi bell claps and again, but Cobb rams him to a corner! Cobb rams his shoulder in a couple times, whips Takagi out to send him back in, for a big leaping elbow! Cobb hoists Takagi up for a RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Cobb grows annoyed. Cobb drags Takagi up, Takagi slips off the scoop and shoves Cobb to a corner. Takagi kicks low and tries the suplex, but Cobb suplexes him instead! Takagi slips out, Cobb elbows him away, then runs. Takagi elbows and JABS and LARIATS!

The fans fire up as Takagi stalks Cobb. Takagi brings Cobb up, suplexes him high and hard! Takagi clutches his back but hurries after Cobb to cover, TWO! And with power! Takagi runs for the SLIDING- NO! Cobb catches Takagi, brings him up, but Takagi fights out of the suplex! Takagi throws elbows, half hatch but Cobb fights back. Takagi changes to back suplex but Cobb fights that off, too. Takagi CLUBS Cobb on the back, then tries again. Cobb still holds the suplex off, but Takagi heads for ropes and uses the rebound in the SAIDO! Fans cheer as both men are down. Takagi fires himself up and the fans fire up with him! Takagi runs corner to corner at Cobb for the corner clothesline! Takagi keeps moving, but they both throw clotheslines!

Takagi tries again, but runs into an EXPLODER! Takagi’s right up to EXPLODER Cobb back! The two go after each other with junkyard dog headbutts, then get up to throw forearms! Takagi fires off from all sides, over and over, then eggs Cobb on. Cobb JABS, Takagi HEADBUTTS, Cobb SUPERKICKS and Takagi LARIATS! But both men stay up, fire up, and Cobb LARIATS Takagi down! Fans cheer as both men catch their breath. Cobb is up first, he whips Takagi to ropes and scoops, but Takagi slips out to Gory Especial! NOSHIGAMI! Takagi gets up, runs but ducks Cobb’s lariat to come back with PUMPING BOMBER! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Takagi keeps that fire going. Fans rally, Takagi drags Cobb up again, fireman’s carry but Cobb fights off.

Cobb tries to lift but Takagi resists. So Cobb changes his grip for a gut wrench suplex! And he holds on, for a second gut wrench! He still holds on, and gets Takagi up for a GUT WRENCH BOMB! Cover, TWO!! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Cobb almost had Takagi there but the fans rally again. Cobb drags Takagi up, whips him to ropes, but Takagi holds ropes. Takagi boots back, runs but into the fireman’s carry! F5, turned into a DDT! Takagi drags Cobb up for elbows and crossface forearms over and over! Takagi runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Takagi fires up once more, pump handles but Cobb resists the lift! Takagi still gets him up, for MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Cobb survives and Takagi is frustrated, but Takagi is far from out of ideas.

Takagi drags Cobb up as fans rally again. Takagi fireman’s carries, but Cobb slips out again. Cobb waistlocks, Takagi elbows, Cobb tries to reel him in so Takagi elbows harder! Takagi LARIATS but Cobb stays up. And again! Cobb drops to a knee so Takagi brings him up, JAB, but Cobb HEADBUTTS! Cobb fires up, runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT! Takagi runs, Cobb dodges for a SNAP GERMAN SUPLEX! Cobb whips Takagi, scoops, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, Cobb wins!!

Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Takagi earns 0

The battle of the former NEVER Openweight Champions was intense, but it had to come to an end! The Juggernaut slays the Dragon and gets on the board, but Takagi falls further! Will Takagi have a chance to be more than a spoiler?

Block A – Kazuchika Okada VS Yujiro Takahashi!

To think the Rainmaker would start 0-1! But his new rivalry with Tokyo Pimp continues as now one of them will earn points! Will Yujiro ruin Okada’s redemption for his own satisfaction?

The bell rings and fans cheer as the two stare down. Okada and Yujiro circle, fans clap for “O-KA-DA,” and the two feel out the grapple. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Okada gets Yujiro to ropes. The ref calls for the break, Okada fakes Yujiro out but pats him on the shoulder. Yujiro rushes Okada but Okada kicks low. Okada headlocks but Yujiro BITES! When will they learn?! Yujiro kicks low, throws forearms, but Okada eggs him on. Yujiro CHOPS, Okada fires off forearms! Okada runs, into Yujiro’s clothesline! Yujiro sees Okada bail out and pursues. Yujiro drags Okada up, brings him to the ramp, and turns him for a neckbreaker! Yujiro sits Okada up, runs up the way and comes back for the sliding BOOT!

Fans cheer that as Yujiro leaves Okada behind. The ref checks on Okada but he’s okay to continue. The ring count begins, climbs to 10 of 20 before Okada gets up. Okada hurries over, clutching his neck, and is in at 14. Yujiro rains down right hands, the ref reprimands the closed fists. Yujiro drops a leg, an elbow and a headbutt fast, then covers. TWO, but Yujiro keeps his cool. Yujiro bumps Okada off buckles, throws more forearms, then throws back elbows. Yujiro whips corner to corner, BOOTS Okada, and snapmares him for another sliding boot! Cover, TWO! Yujiro grows annoyed now but he brings Okada up. Yujiro scoops and slams, covers, TWO! Fans cheer but Yujiro clamps on a chinlock.

Okada endures, and fans rally as he fights his way up. Yujiro wrangles Okada back down, then runs to boot him in the back! Yujiro puts the chinlock back on again, grinds Okada’s head, but fans continue to rally. Okada fights up, fights back, and is free. Yujiro kicks low, runs, blocks Okada’s boot to trip him up. Yujiro runs, Okada dodges the boot to European Uppercut Yujiro down! Fans cheer as both men are down. Okada catches his breath, gets to his feet and throws forearms over and over. Okada whips, Yujiro reverses but Okada elbows him down! “SAPPORO~!” Okada has the fans fired up as he whips Yujiro to the corner. Okada hits the back elbow, kicks and DDT’s! Yujiro gets away before the cover, but Okada slingshots for a PLANCHA! Rare that the Rainmaker flies like that!

Okada catches his breath before bringing Yujiro up. The ring count is 8 of 20 as Okada puts Yujiro back in. Okada claps and stomps with the fans but Yujiro blocks the Alabama. Yujiro clubs and whips Okada, runs but is popped up to the Alabama! Yujiro fights out, forearms back, and BOOTS Okada again! Yujiro hits the FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Yujiro drags Okada up, fireman’s carries, but Okada slips off Miami Shine to throw forearms. Yujiro gives them back, the two brawl, fans rally up as they pick up the pace! Yujiro gets the edge and Okada drops to a knee. But Okada comes back with more! Yujiro kicks low, rakes eyes, but runs into a dropkick! Okada brings Yujiro up fast, gut wrench and TOMBSTONE! Then, the armlock for DEEP IN DEBT!

Yujiro endures, fans rally, but Yujiro BITES Okada again! The ref reprimands, Okada ROCKS Yujiro! Okada whips, Yujiro reverses to INCOLLE SLAM! The Olympic slam hits but both men are down! Yujiro stalks Okada, runs and BOOTS him again! Yujiro runs but Okada gets around, spins him, but no discus lariat! Yujiro backslides, Okada slips out but denies Pimp Juice! SUPERKICK! Yujiro drags Okada up, MIAMI SHINE! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and the fans fire up! Yujiro says he’ll finish it now! Yujiro sits Okada up, but still no Pimp Juice! Yujiro clubs away on Okada to get him away, then runs, into a boot! Yujiro still runs, but into an uppercut! Okada runs, into a LARIAT!

Yujiro fires up, sits Okada up again, reels him in, Canadian rack, but Okada slips out! DEEP- NO! Yujiro arm-drags out of debt, kicks and whips, but Okada reverses, only for his dropkick to be denied! Yujiro SUPERKICKS again! And then sits Okada up, for- NO! Gut wrench! Yujiro fights the tombstone off, to Canadian rack! Okada slips out, ROLLING RAINMAKER! Okada drags Yujiro back up, and puts him DEEP IN DEBT!! Yujiro has nothing to bite, he TAPS! Okada wins!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by submission; gains 2 points, Yujiro earns 0

The Rainmaker is a round late but is finally on the board! Will Okada make his way back to the top? Will Tokyo Pimp have to wait a long time to score in A Block?

Block A – Minoru Suzuki VS Taichi!

The Man with the Worst Personality takes on his own follower as Suzuki takes on the Sliest Wrestler in the World! Will the Holy Emperor dethrone the King of Pancrase and keep rolling in the G1?

Suzuki goes after Taichi even before the bell! There’s no mercy shown just because they’re allies! Taichi gets Suzuki in the corner, Suzuki pushes back and throws down forearm after forearm! Taichi turns it around to choke Suzuki! The ref tries to break these two apart but Suzuki boots Taichi into the ref! Fans fire up as the two go after each other with choke grips! Suzuki eggs Taichi on, then throws haymakers when Taichi doesn’t respond. They clinch, Taichi claws at Suzuki but Suzuki claws back. The ref literally gets between them but is part of the buckle bump! The ref falls out of the ring, Suzuki gets a chair! Taichi has one, too! Fans cheer because this is getting interesting.

They clash with chairs, the padding falling off! Taichi JAMS Suzuki in the ribs, but Suzuki throws body shots and knees! Taichi flops out of the ring, Suzuki hurries out and whips him into railing! Suzuki has another chair, stands Taichi up and JAMS him in the head! And then SMACKS him on the back! Taichi goes down but fans fire up as Suzuki looms over Taichi. Suzuki drags Taichi back up, whips him into more railing, then goes back for the chair. Suzuki brings the chair with him around the way, and puts it around Taichi’s head for a choke against the railing! Fans rally but Taichi is fading! Suzuki lets off and smacks the chair off railing. Suzuki drags Taichi up, Taichi fights back! Taichi rakes eyes but Suzuki throws haymakers and knees!

Suzuki boots Taichi against railing then throws forearms. Suzuki eggs Taichi on, Taichi hits back. They continue to brawl, boots for forearms, but Suzuki ROCKS Taichi against the railing! Suzuki drags Taichi up, bumps him off the apron then brings him around to POST shoulder first! Fans continue to clap as Suzuki goes around the way to search for something. Suzuki doesn’t find what he wanted so he just goes back to Taichi to put him in the ring. The ref finally revives, but Suzuki gets another chair! The ref sees this and won’t let Suzuki bring the chair in. Suzuki shoves the ref down! Taichi goes to his mic stand and JAMS Suzuki! Now Taichi has Suzuki and whips him into railing! And bumps him off the apron! And whips him into more railing!

Taichi uses mic cable to choke Suzuki! The student has learned much from the master! Taichi lets go and Suzuki gasps for air. Taichi whips Suzuki into the apron, then searches. The ref reprimands them both but Taichi shoves him down. Taichi has a chair and SMACKS Suzuki at the ramp! And then digs the chair edge into Suzuki’s chest! Suzuki kicks and flails but Taichi lets up. Taichi paces, but Suzuki grins! Is he proud of Taichi? Suzuki hits low but Taichi bumps Suzuki off apron! The fans cheer as the pants come off! Taichi goes to a corner while the ref still keeps Suzuki from grabbing a chair. Taichi kicks Suzuki while he’s too busy with the ref, then toys with Suzuki. That might not be smart.

Taichi dares Suzuki to do something now, then gives him Kowata Kicks! Suzuki just grins again! Suzuki throws a forearm and Taichi wobbles already! Suzuki eggs Taichi on but Taichi comes back with a forearm of his own! Suzuki throws another hard forearm, Taichi steadies himself with the ropes, and Suzuki mockingly asks, “What’s wrong, Taichi?!” Taichi gets up, and KICKS Suzuki! Suzuki grits his teeth and now Taichi mocks Suzuki. Taichi kicks but Suzuki blocks to DECK him with that forearm! Suzuki dares Taichi to get up and the fans rally up. Taichi sitrs but Suzuki grows impatient. Taichi drags himself to ropes, stands up, and Suzuki runs in, to block Taichi’s boot. Taichi ROUNDHOUSES, BLINDSIDE LARIATS and GAMANGIRIS! Fans fire up as both men are down!

Taichi and Suzuki stir as the fans rally up. Suzuki grins as he gets up in the corner. Taichi is in the other corner and the two talk trash to each other from across the way. Suzuki runs and BOOTS, then ducks the ax bomber to get the SLEEPER! Taichi endures, Suzuki spins him, Taichi turns it into DANGEROUS SAIDO! Taichi flounders but Suzuki rises like a zombie! Into another GAMANGIRI! Suzuki wobbles, Taichi fires up and runs, but Suzuki follows! Suzuki gets the sleeper again! Taichi fades fast, but Suzuki drags him back up, spins him around, GOTCH PILE- NO! Taichi fights out, and back drops out! Taichi swings, Suzuki catches that for the sleeper hold, then spins Taichi, but Taichi powers out of the piledriver to the Alabama, BLACK MEPHISTO!! Cover, Taichi wins!?!

Winner: Taichi, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Suzuki earns 0

UNBELIEVABLE!! Taichi has defeated Suzuki!! The Holy Emperor beat the King of Pancrase! He has a win over the NEVER Openweight Champion! G1 Climax aside, is Taichi in line for a golden rematch with his faction’s fearsome leader?

Block A – Tomohiro Ishii VS Will Ospreay!

We just saw Suzuki-Gun VS Suzuki-Gun, now it’s Chaos VS Chaos! The Stone Pitbull looks to rebound while the Aerial Assassin looks to fly even higher! Will both men break even? Or will one of them just break?

The bell rings and Ospreay wants a handshake as fellow Chaos members. Ishii swings on him instead! Opsreay forearms and runs but he runs into Ishii’s solid shoulder! Ishii runs, but Ospreay bounces him back! Ishii runs again, bumps Ospreay but Ospreay bumps back! Ishii bumps him again, Ospreay comes back to bump Ishii. Ospreay BOOTS Ishii on the return, then runs, to run Ishii over! Fans cheer as Ospreay flexes. Ishii gets up and Ospreay again offers the handshake. Ishii kicks low instead! Ishii whips, Ospreay reverses, things speed up but Ishii fakes the jump out. Ishii ducks the roundhouse, blocks the kicks but Ospreay blocks the punches. Ishii blocks the roundhouse again, spins Ospreay for a waistlock and GERMAN!

But Ospreay lands on his feet! But Ishii avoids the Standing Shooting Star! Ospreay avoids the sliding lariat, and the two stand off! Fans cheer but Ishii gets in Ospreay’s face. Ospreay shoves him back, slaps him, then SLAPS him! Ospreay throws Kowata Kicks, Ishii CHOPS back! Ishii shakes off the kicks and goes after Ospreay in the corner. Ishii CHOPS and CHOPS, but Ospreay turns things around to CHOP and CHOP! Ishii eggs Ospreay on, Ospreay chops more then whips corner to corner. Ishii comes back into a boot, Ospreay runs but gets run over! Fans cheer again as Ishii steadies himself. Ishii comes back to bring Ospreay up. Ishii headbutts then stalks Ospreay to a corner. Ishii CHOPS, and CHOPS!

Ishii stands Ospreay back up for another CHOP! Ishii then snapmares and KICKS Ospreay in the back! Ospreay writhes, Ishii stands on his face but Red Shoes reprimands him. Fans rally up as Ishii toys with Ospreay. Ospreay gets up and elbows back. Ospreay throws more forearms and elbows but Ishii CHOPS him off his feet! Ishii drags Ospreay back up, suplexes but Ospreay blocks. Ishii keeps trying, but Ospreay tries to suplex him! Ishii blocks, gets Ospreay up and over for the suplex! Fans cheer as Ishii stalks Ospreay to a corner. Ishii toys with Ospreay again, then stands on his head. Red Shoes counts, Ishii lets up at 3, and toys with Ospreay. Ospreay slaps back but Ishii eggs him on. Ospreay slaps more then throws stiff forearms!

Ishii doesn’t back down so Ospreay hits him more! Ospreay hits low, Ishii CHOPS him for it! Ospreay gasps and sputters but fans rally behind him. Ishii whips Ospreay corner to corner, runs in but blocks the boot. Ospreay enziguris but his superkick is blocked. Ospreay avoids the clothesline to CHOP and whip, but Ishii reverses. Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER! Both men are down but fans fire up! Ospreay gets to his feet first, goes to Ishii and brings him up for an atomic drop! Ospreay CHOPS, CHOPS and kicks the legs out, STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps his cool as he goes to the apron. Fans fire up as Ospreay aims. Ishii slowly stands, Ospreay springboards and PIP PIP CHEERIO!

The forearm takes Ishii down, Ospreay kicks Ishii to a corner and toys with him now. Fans rally up, Ospreay throws forearms on Ishii then stands on him. Ishii eggs Ospreay on so Ospreay throws more forearms. Ospreay taunts Ishii, slaps him over and over, but Ishii gets up. Ishii pushes Ospreay, Ospreay forearms but Ishii tanks it. Ishii just takes forearm after forearm and backs Ospreay down! Ospreay throws more forearms, Ishii DECKS him with one! Ospreay gets up in the corner, Ishii suplexes, but Ospreay blocks to suplex Ishii! Ospreay leaves Ishii on the ropes, kicks him, then goes to the corner for a springboard. Ishii moves, Ospreay ducks his clothesline to enziguri back! Springboard dropkick sends Ishii down! Ospreay aims at Ishii, builds speed, handspring for the SASUKE, but Ishii gets under!

Ishii swings but Ospreay dodges, to ASAI MOONSAULT, for the inverted suplex, but Ishii slips out! Ishii suplexes, Ospreay slips out and shoves him into railing! Ishii bounces off, Ospreay uses the railing as a springboard for the OSCUTTER! Fans fire up as both men are down on the outside! Red Shoes checks on them, but they’re both okay to continue. Fans rally up, the ring count begins. Ospreay gets up at 7 of 20 and in at 9. Ishii stirs but doesn’t stand until 17! He hurries in at 19.9! Ospreay springboards up, missile dropkick! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives but Ospreay keeps his cool. Ospreay brings Ishii up to scoop and slam, then heads up top! Ospreay aims, but Ishii trips him up! The assassin lands on his dagger!

Ishii climbs up but Ospreay hits back. Ishii RISING HEADBUTTS! Ospreay wobbles up top, Ishii climbs up to join him, and SUPERPLEX BRAIN BUSTERS! Both men are down but the fans fire up again! Ishii sits up first and goes over to Ospreay. Ishii brings Ospreay up, Ospreay throws forearms first, but Ishii fires off from all sides! Ishii runs into the dropkick flip but avoids the enziguri! Ospreay arm-drags the sliding lariat away! Ishii dodges Hidden Blade, they both swing and block strikes, but the SUPERKICK lands! Ospreay aims at Ishii, BUZZSAW HEEL COMBO! Ospreay runs, springboards, but Ishii avoids the cutter! Ospreay boots the clothesline away, ducks Ishii’s back hand and throws a forearm, but Ishii DECKS Ospreay!

Fans fire up with Ishii, and he drags Ospreay back up. Ishii lifts, POWERBOMBS, high stack cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Ishii keeps his focus. Ishii sits Ospreay up, for the SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Ishii grows frustrated but he keeps on Ospreay with another suplex. Ospreay tries to suplex Ishii, Ishii slips out and ducks the clotheslines to GERMAN! Ishii runs, Ospreay turns the lariat into SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives but Ospreay keeps focus! Ospreay springboards, OSCUTTER! Cover, TWO!?! Ishii survives and the fans fire up again! Ospreay gets back up, drags Ishii up and underhooks, but Ishii slips off the scoop. Ishii ducks the heel kick, blocks the roundhouse and headbutts! Ishii swings, Ospreay ducks and goes up top for the SUPER OSCUT-

NO! Ishii blocks!! Ishii spins Ospreay, but Ospreay slips out of the suplex to HOOK KICK! But Ishii stays up to LARIAT Ospreay! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Red Shoes checks on both men, and Ishii crawls to a corner. Fans rally and Ospreay rises. Ishii is furious but he runs, but Ospreay slips around the lariat to SIT OUT BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay almost had Ishii but not quite yet! Ospreay brings Ishii up as fans rally. Ospreay reels Ishii in, underhooks and lifts, but Ishii slips off again. Ospreay ROUNDHOUSES, Ishii ENZIGURIS! Ospreay comes back into Ishii’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Ishii stays fired up. Ishii drags Ospreay up, suplexes, but Ospreay knees free and wrenches. Ishii HEADBUTTS Ospreay down!

Ishii drags Ospreay back up, suplexes, but Ospreay STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRES! Ospreay forearms hard, Ishii LARIATS, but Ospreay stays up! Ospreay spins, into Ishii’s suplex! Ospreay slips out, POISON-RANA! But Ishii rises?! Into the ROLLING ELBOW! Ospreay won’t stop, he brings Ishii back up and underhooks, but Ishii fights. Ospreay DOESN’T use Stormbreaker, he uses some kind of DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?! Ishii survives whatever that was and no one can believe it! Ospreay prepares his elbow pad, aims at Ishii, HIDDEN BLADE!! But Ospreay isn’t done there, he drags Ishii back up! Underhook, lift, STORMBREAKER!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Ishii earns 0

Ospreay has his second win and is heading towards the top of A Block! Will he prove himself worthy of the heavyweight division?

Block A – Jay White w/ Gedo VS Kota Ibushi!

The Switchblade says this is the “Jay1 Climax,” but the Golden Star already took the first step to back-to-back finals. Ibushi is also in back-to-back A Block main events, will we see back-to-back wins?

Ibushi is impatient as White and Gedo give the Low Sweet. The bell rings and White backs away to his corner. The fans rally but White pretends to not hear it. The clap is for “I-BU-SHI!” but White mocks that they’re not chanting, in full disrespect of the fact the fans aren’t allowed to chant verbally. White thinks he’s funny as he gets on the mic and tells them to say the name. White goes back to the ring and Ibushi KICKS him down! White bails out, Ibushi slingshots for the PLANCHA! Fans applaud and Ibushi claps the rhythm with them. Ibushi drags White up, puts him in the ring, and stalks behind him. Ibushi stomps White to the corner, waits for him to stand up, and pats him on the shoulder. Then throws forearms and stomps!

Gedo protests, Ibushi lets up to wrench and whip White corner to corner. White reverses but Ibushi goes up and over. Ibushi comes back, White fireman’s carries for the swinging hotshot! White goes out to the apron, brings Ibushi up, for the APRON KNEE CRUSHER! Gedo cheers as Ibushi falls to the floor. White mocks the clapping as he drags Ibushi back up. White RAMS Ibushi into railing! And then again! And again! White lets Ibushi go to get back in the ring. White mockingly applauds then goes back out to fetch Ibushi. White puts the leg on the apron to elbow the knee! Ibushi hobbles away and falls over but White paces. The fans clap, White returns to stomp Ibushi down. White has Red Shoes move so he can put Ibushi in.

White mocks Ibushi crawling around and stalks him to a corner. Ibushi goes to kick but White catches it for a knee jammer! White stomps Ibushi, digs his boots in but lets up at Red Shoes’ count. White drags Ibushi up, Ibushi hits back but White throws him down by his hair. White paces and double guns, which fans do applaud. White grabs the leg to stomp the thigh over and over, then drags Ibushi up and around for a neckbreaker! Cover, ONE! White drags Ibushi by the legs to stomps the bad one, then jams the leg again. Fans rally up but White mockingly dares Ibushi to stand. Ibushi does get up but White kicks the bad leg out! White grins and Gedo applauds but he’s the only one at this point. Ibushi fires forearms back but again White kicks the leg.

White whips, Ibushi reverses and Ibushi dropkicks! Both men are down, the fans rally up and Ibushi sits up first. Ibushi grits his teeth as he drags White up. White swings but Ibushi unleashes the strike fest! White avoids the Penalty Kick but not the standing moonsault! Cover, TWO! Ibushi keeps his cool as the fans rally up again. Ibushi runs at White, White elbows him away. White runs, into a scoop POWERSLAM! Ibushi rolls to the corner, MOONSAULT! White moves, Ibushi lands on his feet but the bad leg buckles! White hits a DDT! Both men are down again and fans cheer. Gedo applauds White as White and Ibushi stir. White sits up first but Ibushi gets to a corner. White runs in and uppercuts Ibushi! Then White suplexes, ANARCHY! Cover, TWO!

Ibushi still lives but White keeps his cool. White drags Ibushi by the bad leg but Ibushi gets away. White stomps Ibushi down, drags him up by an arm now, and hooks him up. Ibushi resists the lift and rams White into buckles. White holds on so Ibushi rams him again. Ibushi is free but White dodges him to hit a COMPLETE SHOT! White DEAD LIFT SNAP GERMANS Ibushi! Fans cheer the sheer skill of that but White still grins and mockingly claps. White drags Ibushi up as fans rally, but Ibushi again fights off the urenage. White knees low and hard, but Ibushi elbows back. White gets the bad leg, Ibushi elbows him away again, then waistlocks. White trips Ibushi, GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Ibushi kicks White off the figure four and SNAP GERMANS!

Both men are down again and fans rally up. Ibushi rises first, drags White up, scoops him, but White fights off the tombstone! White clubs the bad leg and gets away. Ibushi pursues, grabs a leg, but White kicks Ibushi’s bad leg. White is on the apron but Ibushi kicks him from the ropes! Fans applaud as Ibushi drags White up. Gedo panics and White resists! White elbows Ibushi over and over, but Ibushi just sleeper holds and elbows away! Ibushi drags White up, Gedo anchors White but Red Shoes reprimands! White rakes eyes! DRAGON SCREW through the ropes! Fans rally but White drags Ibushi up, URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Gedo coaches White, he keeps his focus and drags Ibushi back up. White fisherman but Ibushi fights out to gut wrench!

White clubs away on the leg but Ibushi still tucks White in, BASTARD DRIVER! But Ibushi flops over, his bad leg killing him. Fans rally and both men stir. Ibushi eggs White on and White grabs him by his hair. White throws haymakers on the bad leg but Ibushi still eggs him on. Ibushi ROCKS White with a forearm and White flops out of the ring! White flounders his way up, gets back in, and Ibushi toys with him. Gedo coaches White up, White stands and throws a forearm! And another, and another! Ibushi eggs him on, then dodges the dropkick! White fires off body shots and a forearm, but Ibushi LARIATS him down! Fans are thunderous as Ibushi calls for his shot! Ibushi drags White up, White trips up and GROUND DRAGON SCREWS the leg!

White waistlocks, half nelsons, but Ibushi slips out to HALF ‘N’ HALF! Ibushi aims at White, the knee pad is down, Gedo shouts to White! “YAO~!” Ibushi runs into BLADE- NO! Ibushi slips out to ROUNDHOUSE! Ibushi vows to end it now, and the fans rally up. Ibushi has the wrists, he sits White up, but White gets around to roll him up! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And another!! White steps through, inverted figure four, TTO! Ibushi endures the #TanahashiTapOut, but will it become the Ibushi Tap Out? Ibushi drags himself and White around, reaches, but White cranks harder! The fans rally, Ibushi gets the ROPEBREAK! White holds on until 4, but the damage may have been done. White stalks Ibushi, drags him back up, half nelson and sleeper, but Ibushi grabs the ropes again.

Red Shoes counts, White kicks the bad leg! SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! But Ibushi is back up!? V-TRIGGER!! Kenny!! Ibushi brings White up, lifts, LAST RIDE!! Cover, TWO!?! White barely survives and Gedo is relieved! Ibushi won’t stop to be frustrated, he vows to end this! Ibushi grabs the arms, sits White up but White reaches for Red Shoes! Red Shoes tries to shake White off but White refuses. White does let go and throws forearms, but Ibushi just takes them with a smirk on his face. Ibushi DECKS White with one! Fans applaud again as Ibushi sits White up for the BUZZSAW! But Ibushi won’t stop there, he sits White back up with both wrists, but Gedo has the towel? Is Gedo really going to save White like this?

No, it’s so White can get away with a LOW BLOW UPPERCUT! Gedo walks away and White drags Ibushi from the ropes. Fans rally for Ibushi but White gives Ibushi the fisherman BACK SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Ibushi escapes and White is furious! White drags Ibushi up by the wrists, reels him in, but Ibushi powers out and V-TRIGGERS!! Gedo is on the apron, Ibushi ROUNDHOUSES him down! Ibushi has White’s wrists, for KAM- NO! BLADERUNNER!!! Cover, White wins!!!

Winner: Jay White, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Ibushi earns 0

The Switchblade survives with that split second reversal! Do NJPW and the fans have to accept that this IS the Jay1 Climax? Or is there still a chance for Ibushi to turn things around with three rounds left?

White grabs the mic but he takes a moment to mockingly applaud the fans applauding. He then laughs as he keeps going. “Look how easy it is, huh?” Is everyone watching? What’s wrong, huh? They don’t like that he’s winning? What’s the point of getting “these fools” to like you if you don’t win? White gets Sapporo to applaud by simply saying the region’s name, and then mocks the fans for being stupid, “like robots.” White laughs as he claps again, and says “You idiots, I’m making fun of you when I do that! You’re all so stupid! Just like everyone else that I Have to wrestle against, like Ibushi.” Ibushi is stupid, too, because he cares too much about what the fans think! But when you don’t care about what the fans think, maybe one day, you can get true success like White’s. But there is NO ONE in here that can compare to him!

White mockingly applauds again and says, “Next up, OKADA!” Their good ol’ buddy, Okada! What will make it better is the overall series. White and Gedo “created the single most important in ALL of professional wrestling!” Gedo knows White is the best! King Switch, baby! The man who sold out Madison Square Garden! “I am the Switchblade, and Okada, old friend, me, you and Gedo, I can’t wait until we can reminisce,” where they recreated the single most important moment ever! And it’ll be the same as Okada lies down, looking up at the mat. All Okada has to do is BREATHE with the Switchblade! This is STILL Jay’s era! Will that be true after White once again faces the Rainmaker?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Will Ospreay: 2-0, 4 points
Taichi: 2-0, 4 points
Jay White: 2-0, 4 points
Minoru Suzuki: 1-1, 2 points
Kota Ibushi: 1-1, 2 points
Kazuchika Okada: 1-1, 2 points
Jeff Cobb: 1-1, 2 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 0-2, 0 points
Shingo Takagi: 0-2, 0 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 0-2, 0 points

My Thoughts:

Wow, definitely an interesting turn around from the previous round! I think the biggest surprise was Taichi beating Suzuki! That was such a great match for the story between them and how Taichi was giving as good as he was getting. Taichi challenging for the NEVER Openweight Championship at some point would be cool, but I don’t think he’d take it from Suzuki. I wonder how much of this is Suzuki suggesting that one day, Taichi takes over the team and it becomes Taichi-Gun.  Obviously Okada was going to beat Yujiro, that’s how it’s been going. Cobb gets a great win over Shingo, and Ospreay has a great match with Ishii to win.

White VS Ibushi was a great main event, and it was a bit of a surprise for White to win, but I suppose you can’t make it too obvious if Ibushi is going to win the G1, assuming that’s the plan. The current top of the block is quite interesting with Ospreay, Taichi and White. White VS Okada will make for a great match, which I feel like should be the main event for round 3. That match alone could also shape much of what’s happening with the “Jay1” Climax.

My Score: 9.4/10