NJPW used the weekend to rest but is back for more!

The fifth round is the halfway point, but that only means it’ll get tougher from here! Who gets a case of the Mondays and falters in the G1 Climax?

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

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Taichi: 3-1, 6 points
Jay White: 3-1, 6 points
Minoru Suzuki: 3-1, 6 points
Kota Ibushi: 3-1, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 3-1, 6 points
Kazuchika Okada: 2-2, 4 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 1-3, 2 points
Shingo Takagi: 1-3, 2 points
Jeff Cobb: 1-3, 2 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 0-4, 0 points

A Block – Shingo Takagi VS Yujiro Takahashi!

With four rounds down and five to go, the Dragon has an outside chance, if he can just win the rest of the rounds. But the Tokyo Pimp is desperate to get on the board even once! Will Yujiro spoil Takagi’s run in the G1?

The bell rings and fans cheer already as Takagi and Yujiro circle. They approach, Yujiro kicks low and headlocks. Takagi pries free to headlock Yujiro in return, but Yujiro pulls hair. The ref reprimands, Yujiro headlocks but Takagi powers out to pull hair, too! Fans cheer but Yujiro throws forearms. Takagi gives them back and fans rally as the brawling begins. Takagi powers up but Yujiro rakes eyes! Yujiro whips Takagi to ropes but Takagi holds ropes to come back. Yujiro dodges but both men run, Takagi runs Yujiro over with a shoulder! Fans cheer as Takagi fires up and follows Yujiro out. Takagi brings Yujiro around the way to POST him! Yujiro staggers around, Takagi clubs him then has media clear out.

Takagi RAMS Yujiro into the apron then whips him at railing, but Yujiro stops himself! Yujiro baits Takagi in and sends him into railing, to then whip him the other way into more railing! Takagi goes down and the ref tells Yujiro to get this in the ring. Yujiro bumps Takagi off the apron, and again, then gets up to stand on Takagi’s head. The ref reprimands and counts but Yujiro lets up at 3. Takagi sweeps Yujiro’s legs! Yujiro crashes down and fans cheer as Takagi gets up on the apron. Takagi drags Yujiro up, fans rally and Takagi fireman’s carries! Yujiro holds onto ropes, slips down and pushes Takagi into the post! Yujiro reels Takagi in for the APRON REVERSE DDT! Yujiro fires up and fans do cheer his savvy.

The ref checks on Takagi but he’s okay to continue. Yujiro waits in the ring and a count begins. Fans rally up as Takagi stirs. Takagi sits up at 9 of 20, flounders around at 11 and stands at 13. Takagi hobbles in at 16 and fans cheer. Yujiro stalks over, drags Takagi up and scoops for a slam! Yujiro sits Takagi up to punch him down again and again. The ref warns Yujiro about the closed fists, so Yujiro drops a leg, an elbow and a headbutt! Cover, ONE! Fans cheer but Yujiro is surprised as he stalks Takagi to a corner. Fans rally up with “TA-KA-GI” claps as Yujiro forearms and CHOPS him in the corner. Takagi elbows back but Yujiro fires many more elbows in return. Yujiro runs to BOOT Takagi in the corner, then brings him out for a snapmare. Yujiro runs to basement BOOT! Cover, TWO!

Yujiro argues the count but two is two. Yujiro toys with Takagi giving those weak kicks. Takagi gets up and CHOPS Yujiro, but Yujiro forearms. CHOP, forearm, then back to the brawling back and forth! Yujiro gets the edge, Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS back! Fans cheer as Takagi fires back up. Takagi reels Yujiro in, but Yujiro BITES his hand! No one learns! Yujiro has Takagi in a corner, whips him corner to corner but Takagi blocks the boot! Takagi shoves Yujiro down then runs him over again! Takagi has fans rally up as he hooks Yujiro, spins him and suplexes. Yujiro fights out to fisherman hook Takagi, but Takagi resists the buster. Takagi BITES Yujiro in return! The ref reprimands but Takagi points out his mouth guard actually lessens the bite. Either way, Takagi shoves and whips Takagi to ram a knee into him, then he hits a BIG suplex! Cover, TWO!

Takagi keeps his focus and fans cheer again as he drags Yujiro up. Takagi hooks Yujiro again but Yujiro resists the Gory Especial. Takagi kicks low, whips but Yujiro grabs ropes. Yujiro kicks back and hits another reverse DDT! Yujiro drags Takagi up, fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Takagi survives but Yujiro keeps his cool. Yujiro brings Takagi up, fireman’s carries, but Takagi fights out to waistlock. Yujiro elbows Takagi, runs and boots him, but Takagi just gets pissed! Takagi eggs Yujiro on, Yujiro boots again but Takagi blocks it! Takagi throws a forearm, Yujiro throws one back, Takagi fires up! Fans fire up with him as Yujiro eggs Takagi on. The back and forth begins again! Takagi gets the edge and throws forearms from both sides!

Yujiro blocks the kick, trips Takagi up and runs, but Takagi avoids the basement dropkick. Takagi runs but Yujiro ducks the sliding lariat. Both men clothesline but stay up! Takagi runs into a flapjack hotshot! Yujiro runs but Takagi follows to clothesline at the rope! Takagi runs but Yujiro boots him at the ropes! Yujiro runs again, into a PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi turns around into Yujiro’s LARIAT! Both men are down and fans cheer! The fans rally up again as Takagi and Yujiro go to opposite corners. Yujiro stands, Takagi runs in but they collide with shoulders. Yujiro swats one clothesline away but not the other! Yujiro stays up but Takagi headbutts! Takagi goes to run, Yujiro reels him into the INCOLLE SLAM!

Takagi staggers up and Yujiro BOOTS him at the ropes! Fireman’s carry, MIAMI SHINE! Cover, TWO! Takagi survives and Yujiro is losing his cool! Fans rally up as Yujiro brings Takagi back up. Takagi denies Pimp Juice but Yujiro SUPERKICKS! Yujiro sits Takagi back up, tries again, but Takagi fireman’s carries! Yujiro slips off to mule kick! Yujiro runs, into an elbow! JAB, LARIAT! Fans cheer and Takagi keeps moving, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Yujiro survives but Takagi just fires up more! The fans clap along with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi brings Yujiro up. Pump handle and fireman’s carry but Yujiro BITES again! Yujiro shoves the ref down and gets the pimp cane!

Takagi checks on the ref, but turns around to catch the cheap shot! Yujiro kicks low and takes a swing, but Takagi SWATS the stick! The pimp cane is broken!! Yujiro rakes eyes and DECKS Takagi! Yujiro drags Takagi back in, Canadian rack but he can’t keep Takagi up! Yujiro clubs Takagi, runs, but Takagi spins him around, NOSHIGAMI! Fans are fired up as both men rise again! Takagi runs but into a boot! Yujiro runs, boots, but PUMPING BOMBER comes back! Takagi is fired up as he pump handles and fireman’s carries, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!! Cover, Takagi wins!!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Yujiro earns 0

The Dragon keeps on going! And the Tokyo Pimp falls to 0-5! Yujiro is finished, but will he live to spoil another’s chances?

A Block – Jeff Cobb VS Jay White w/ Gedo!

The Hawaiian Hulk could not crush the Golden Star and is near the edge of elimination! But the “Jay1” hit its first roadblock in his match with The Assassin! Who redeems themselves and stays strong towards the goal?

White again mocks the clapping of the fans as the ref does his check. White and Gedo say the fans want to see it! Low Sweet~! The bell rings, and White bails out. White says he does things on his time, and takes his time getting back in. Cobb and White circle, White goes for a leg but Cobb blocks to switch. White gets the ropes, Cobb lets up but White is right after his leg again. Cobb again blocks and switches to a waistlock but again White goes to ropes. The ref calls for the break, but White holds on to make it look like Cobb isn’t letting go. White elbows Cobb then headlocks, but Cobb powers out to knock him over! White goes to ropes for safety and the ref keeps Cobb back. White cheap shots with the kick over and over. White whips, Cobb reverses to drop down but White stomps himself, and SLAPS Cobb!

White bails out fast to avoid Cobb’s wrath! The ring count starts, White uses that to catch his breath and take his time returning. White goes around the ring but gets in at 19.5! Cobb is after White’s legs at the ropes but White kicks him away! White swings forearms on Cobb, runs, but into a dropkick! Fans cheer the agility from the big man! Cobb gets White’s legs, White grabs Gedo, Cobb drags them both into the ring! Cobb gives them a meeting of the minds! White and Gedo flop out of the ring as fans cheer. Cobb goes out to fetch White into the ring, but Gedo sneaks up to anchor his foot! White stomps away on Cobb, the ref reprimands but White brings Cobb out to RAM into railing! And again! Cobb stumbles and falls as White goes back into the ring.

White again mocks the applause of the fans while a ring count begins. Cobb is in at 8 but White stomps him to a corner! White stomps a mudhole, lets off at the ref’s reprimand, and he brings Cobb up to RAM his shoulder in! White brings Cobb out and turns him for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer Cobb’s toughness but White is on him with a chinlock. Cobb pries free so White jams his knee into Cobb’s back! White more toying kicks but Cobb fireman’s carries! White rakes eyes, runs, but into a SAMOAN DROP! Fans cheer as Cobb sits up and glares at White. Fans rally up as White stands and Cobb runs at him to run him over! Cobb rallies with those shoulders, then he powers White to a corner to ram him!

Cobb whips White out then into the corner, then hits an OVERHEAD belly2belly! Fans cheer as White ends up in another corner. Cobb runs corner to corner for a LEAPING elbow! Cobb picks White up for a RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Gedo cheers but Cobb grows frustrated. Cobb signals for the dead lift, White elbows him back. Cobb spins White, pops him right up but White slips out of the suplex to pull hair! Cobb turns around, White kicks low to DDT! Gedo is relieved and he coaches White up. White runs corner to corner to uppercut! White reels Cobb in but Cobb blocks the suplex. White throws more uppercuts, runs corner to corner again for another! White has Cobb in the half hatch, and suplexes him into buckles!

Fans do have to cheer that one, and White brings Cobb up for another suplex, ANARCHY BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Cobb survives and Gedo is upset but White keeps his cool. White drags Cobb up, Cobb throws elbows and knocks White down. White gets up to throw more forearms but Cobb ROCKS him again! White flounders back to throw more forearms but Cobb gives them back! Gedo coaches White up from the ropes and White goes back to throw more forearms. Cobb winds up but White throws another forearm, some knees, and clubbing shots. Cobb ROCKS White again! Cobb runs, but White counters with a COMPLETE SHOT! White waistlocks and brings Cobb up but Cobb elbows against the lift. Cobb pries free, but swings into an URENAGE! Cover, TWO!

Fans cheer while White grows frustrated. White drags Cobb up into a sleeper hold, but Cobb elbows free. White chop blocks the leg! White hits a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Gedo cheers White on as White steps through, but Cobb pushes White away! White comes back to stomp Cobb down and kick the leg. Cobb whips White HARD into the corner! Cobb gets up as fans rally, and he hurries after White. Cobb has White’s legs and yanks him right up into the ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUSHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! White survives Cobb’s sudden explosion of strength and agility, but Cobb keeps on him! Cobb whips White to ropes, scoops him, but no Tour as White slips out! BLADE- NO! SNAP GERMAN!

Cobb wants it this time and he whips White again. White holds ropes to deny that, and the ref keeps Cobb back. White claims he’s hurt but Gedo sneaks in! Cobb stares Gedo down, but White gets the SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX!! White slashes the throat, drags Cobb up, BLADE- NO! Cobb scoops White for TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Gedo gets back in, Cobb grabs him by his beard! Cobb TOSSES Gedo at White! Cobb whips White for a proper TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, Cobb wins!!

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

The “Jay1” keeps falling apart! Has Cobb just washed away White’s chances of being in the finals? Or will White find a way to make us all Breathe with the Switchblade?

A Block – Kazuchika Okada VS Minoru Suzuki!

Last round, the Rainmaker beat the Sliest Wrestler in the World, the only man to have so far beaten the Meanest Man in the World! Will Okada become the second? Or will Suzuki create a rather interesting dynamic by beating the man that beat Taichi?

The bell rings and fans cheer as Suzuki and Okada slowly circle. They approach, feel out the grapple, back away a moment and fans cheer again. They try again, Okada shoots in but Suzuki gets the arm. Suzuki wrenches to a hammerlock, wants the other arm but Okada resists. Okada gets around, Suzuki cranks on the hammerlock more, gets the second arm after all, and then flips Okada to a cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Suzuki lets Okada up to go again. They feel out another grapple, double knuckle lock but Okada shoots in after a leg. Suzuki stays up but not for long, and Okada gets the other leg. Okada also tries to get an arm, but Suzuki moves around. Okada twists one of Suzuki’s ankles, Suzuki claws at Okada but the ref reprimands.

Suzuki gets frustrated but Okada drops an elbow on the leg! Suzuki chinlocks in return but Okada pries free. Okada sits up, keeps the leg hooked and cranks on the foot again. Suzuki endures, pushes Okada and chinbars. Okada lets off the leg but Suzuki turns him over to a mounted chinlock. Okada endures, Suzuki shifts for a side chinlock. Okada moves around, Suzuki almost has a crossface as he traps the arm, but he slips around to omoplata. Okada moves around, reaches with his legs and gets the ropebreak! The fans cheer as Suzuki lets go and pats Okada on the back. Then Suzuki stomps Okada! Okada gets up and Suzuki smirks. Suzuki shoves Okada, Okada throws a forearm! Suzuki gives it back. Okada hits again, and fans rally as the two go back and forth, faster and faster!

Suzuki ROCKS Okada, then ROCKS him again! Okada stays up and Suzuki smirks as he whips. Okada reverses, runs in but misses the elbow! Suzuki gets the arm for a DRAPING ARMBAR! The ref counts, Suzuki lets go and drags Okada out to then whip into railing! Okada falls and Suzuki grins as he looms over him. Suzuki brings Okada up, wrenches the arm and laces it through railing to pull! The ref reprimands, Suzuki lets go to BOOT the arm! Okada hobbles away but Suzuki follows. Suzuki drags Okada up and KICKS him in the chest! Suzuki grins more as he KICKS Okada again! The ref reprimands, Suzuki wrenches and elbows the arm! Okada grits his teeth but Suzuki leaves him behind as the ring count begins. Suzuki is in at 7, Okada stands at 9. Okada is in at 11 and throws forearms!

Suzuki throws them back and then wrenches the arm to kick it! Okada sits down, Suzuki PENALTY KICKS! Fans cheer as Suzuki gets the arm, double wristlock! Okada scrambles around, but Suzuki traps a leg, too! Okada is a pretzel but fans rally as he keeps fighting. Suzuki shifts position to wrench on the wristlock more! Okada gets a ropebreak with a foot! Suzuki lets go to bring Okada back up. Suzuki throws another forearm, whips him corner to corner but Okada boots back! Okada blocks Suzuki’s boot, elbows the knee and hits a neckbreaker! Both men are down and fans cheer again. Okada stands, drags Suzuki up but Suzuki ROCKS him with a forearm! Okada stays up and fans cheer as he stares Suzuki down. Okada throws a forearm but Suzuki just smirks again.

Suzuki throws another HARD forearm and he eggs Okada on. Okada throws a forearm, Suzuki wobbles but he forearms back. Fans rally as things are fast and furious, back and forth! Suzuki ROCKS Okada, ROCKS him again, and lets him drop to his knees. Suzuki brings Okada up, Okada EuroUppers! Okada runs, Suzuki follows and dodges to sleeper hold! Suzuki spins Okada and reels him in, but Okada Alabama lifts to the REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and fans cheer again! The fans build to another rally as Suzuki grins. Suzuki and Okada rise, Okada heads after Suzuki and the forearms start up again! Okada eggs Suzuki on now and Suzuki ROCKS him for it! Okada shakes it off, Suzuki eggs him on, Okada throws a EuroUpper but Suzuki just shrugs it off!

Okada tries again but still Suzuki takes it! The fourth does the job, though! Suzuki staggers, Okada throws more EuroUppers, but Suzuki comes back with fast hands! Okada ducks, spins, but Suzuki dodges the discus only to run into the dropkick! Okada brings Suzuki up but Suzuki headbutts to deny the gut wrench! Okada catches Suzuki to JUMPIPNG TOMBSTONE! And then, MONEY CLIP! Suzuki endures, Okada leans on him and the fans rally up. Suzuki moves around, stands up, but Okada arm-drags him down! Okada wants to lock Suzuki back in but Suzuki drags Okada down into an ARMBAR! Okada kicks and flails but Suzuki cranks harder! Okada gets another ropebreak with his foot and Suzuki lets go fast. Suzuki laughs and fans rally up.

Suzuki brings Okada up to kick the bad arm, and kick it again. Suzuki eggs Okada on, fans rally up again and Okada slowly stands up. Okada throws a forearm but that only hurts the arm. Suzuki boots, Okada blocks, backslide but Suzuki slips off. Okada reels Suzuki in but Suzuki boots the lariat away! Okada still powers through to LARIAT! Okada fires up and so do the fans! Okada drags Suzuki up, reels him in but Suzuki ducks and hooks Okada’s legs to drag him down into body scissors and sleeper! Okada endures, reaches for ropes but he’s turning red! Fans rally up as Okada keeps moving around but he’s fading! The ref checks on Okada, Okada is almost purple! Okada gets a second wind to stand and arm-drag Suzuki off!

Suzuki avoids the clip for another sleeper! Suzuki spins Okada and reels him in but Okada back drops! Suzuki sunset flips, but Okada sits down on it! OKADA WINS!

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

Suzuki is FURIOUS but he takes it out on Young Lions! And the timekeeper’s table! The Rainmaker has pinned the NEVER Openweight Champion, is he on the short list of contenders like Taichi?

A Block – Tomohiro Ishii VS Taichi!

Speaking of the Holy Emperor, he will surely want redemption for losing to the Rainmaker! But the Stone Pitbull is coming of a huge win off Shingo Takagi in last round’s main event! Will Ishii also take a bite out of Taichi’s G1 chances? Or can Taichi separate himself from the pack?

The bell rings and fans cheer as the two men stare down. Taichi stays in his corner but fans rally up and Ishii approaches. Taichi circles with Ishii, then rushes in to BOOT! Taichi whips, Ishii comes back, Taichi boots but Ishii tanks it! Ishii CHOPS, Taichi kicks back! CHOP, KICK, repeat! They pick up the pace and fans rally with them! CHOP, KICK, CHOP, KICK! They don’t stop or even slow down! They go around the ring like that, Ishii wobbles and Taichi kicks more. Ishii fires up to CHOP, Taichi KICKS Ishii off his feet! Fans cheer while Taichi catches his breath. Taichi drags Ishii up, throws him out of the ring then follows. Taichi stomps the leg, whips Ishii into railing and paces around the way. Taichi grabs the bell hammer and CLOBBERS Ishii with it!

Red Shoes reprimands as Taichi chokes Ishii with it! Red Shoes counts, Taichi holds on but lets go. Red Shoes puts the hammer back by the bell, Taichi drags Ishii up and POSTS him! Taichi smirks as he brings Ishii around to put in the ring. Fans cheer but Taichi chokes Ishii! Red Shoes counts but Taichi claims it’s a cover. Red Shoes knows better and he gets Taichi to stop. Taichi paces, knees on Ishii’s head, but Ishii eggs him on! Taichi digs his knee in then lets off to stand on Ishii. Taichi mocks Ishii and paces, but Ishii CHOPS back! Ishii CHOPS more, but Taichi chokes him again! Taichi throws Ishii down then brings him back up. Fans rally as Taichi snapmares and KICKS Ishii in the back! Cover, TWO! Taichi grins as he mocks the clapping.

Taichi kicks Ishii, Ishii eggs him on so Taichi kicks him more. Taichi stomps Ishii and kicks at him, but it only angers the Pitbull! Ishii catches a kick to elbow the knee! Taichi elbows back, runs, but into the POWERSLAM! Fans cheer as both men are on the mat. Ishii gets back up, stalks Taichi to a corner, brings him up by the ears and CHOPS him again! And forearms! CHOP, forearm, repeat, over and over! Ishii keeps rocking Taichi, then stands him up so he can take more! Taichi sits down again and Ishii mockingly asks, “What’s the matter?” Ishii toys with Taichi back but Taichi is in the ropes. Red Shoes reprimands as Ishii kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up, Ishii whips him corner to corner but Taichi reverses. Ishii comes back to run Taichi over!

Ishii looms over Taichi, brings him up, but Taichi resists the back suplex. Taichi throws elbows, Ishii shoves him to a corner, but Taichi dodges Ishii’s corner attack to GAMANGIRI! Fans cheer as both men are down again! Fans build to a rally as Ishii and Taichi stir. Taichi is up first, and he eggs Ishii on. Ishii gets up, ducks the buzzsaw but Taichi elbows the waistlock away. Ishii spins Taichi, suplexes but Taichi fights out to BUZZSAW! Fans cheer as Ishii goes down again! Taichi gets up and the fans rally, as off come the pants! But Ishii is right up!? Ishii eggs Taichi on, Taichi boots, Ishii forearms, Taichi GAMANGIRIS! Taichi talks trash to Ishii and brings him up again. Taichi reels Ishii in, lifts, but Ishii blocks!

Ishii powers up but Taichi denies the back drop to fire off Kowata Kicks. Ishii headbutts, Taichi DECKS Ishii! Fans fire up as Taichi shakes out the cobwebs. Taichi waits for Ishii to stand, then he runs to BLINDSIDE AX BOMBER! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Fans cheer and Taichi gets Ishii back up. Taichi Alabama lifts, Ishii resists and tries to lift Taichi! Taichi resists, they fight for control, and Ishii gets Taichi up for a BUCKLE BOMB! Ishii staggers, Taichi comes running back, into a LARIAT! Fans cheer as Taichi is down now! Fans build to another rally as Ishii steadies himself. Ishii heads over to Taichi, wobbles as he leans down to bring Taichi up, and Taichi wants another saido! Ishii denies that but Taichi blocks the kick! Taichi shoves Red Shoes away but Ishii blocks the low blow!

Ishii headbutts, but Taichi ducks the enziguri to BUZZSAW! Ishii doesn’t flinch!! Ishii pushes Taichi and DECKS him! Fans fire up with Ishii as he heads after Taichi. Ishii drags Taichi up, reels him in, lifts and POWERBOMBS! High stack, TWO!! Taichi survives but Ishii powers up. Ishii runs, Taichi boots the lariat away but Ishii spins to LARIAT from the left! Ishii wants Taichi to get up again and Taichi is in a daze. Ishii runs, LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Taichi survives and the fans cheer more! Ishii fires up and drags Taichi back to his feet. Fans rally up as Taichi is dead weight. Ishii gets Taichi up, suplexes, but Taichi slips out. Taichi shoves Red Shoes at Ishii, Ishii pushes Red Shoes away, LOW BLOW!! GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!! Ishii survives but Taichi is too tired to be shocked!

Fans build to a rally as both men stir. Taichi gets up first and says he’ll end it now! Taichi drags Ishii up, lifts, POWERBOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Ishii survives again! Both men are down, fans rally up and Taichi sits up first. Taichi fires himself up, aims from the corner and thrusts, but Ishii dodges the kick. Taichi dodges Ishii’s clothesline, ishii dodges Taichi’s clothesline and GERMANS! Taichi is right up! Ishii blocks his boot to HEADBUTT him down! Fans fire up with Ishii as he headbutts the buckle! Ishii waits for Taichi to rise, then he runs to LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!?! Taichi is up to AX BOMBER! Both men collide with clotheslines, Taichi dodges Ishii to DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Cover, TWO!?!? The fans are thunderous for these two as they’re down again!

Fans build to another rally as Ishii and Taichi stir. Taichi is up first, waits for Ishii to rise before he runs, but Ishii swats the lariat away! Taichi mule kicks, Ishii blocks the superkick and forearms, but Taichi GAMANGIRIS! Ishii wobbles, fires up but runs into an Alabama lift! But Ishii fights out of Black Mephisto to gut wrench and lift! Taichi slips off, swats Ishii’s lariat away but Ishii enziguris him down! Fans fire up again, Ishii crawls over, sits Taichi up for the SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Ishii fires up more as he drags Taichi back up. Ishii suplexes, for the BRAIN BUSTER!! Cover, Ishii wins!!

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

Don’t call it a comeback, Ishii’s been here for years! But he is climbing back up the block! Does Ishii have a chance of going to the finals? Can Taichi rebound from this new losing streak?

A Block – Kota Ibushi VS Will Ospreay!

Oh what history and excitement there is when these two are in the ring together! We’ve already seen how White, Suzuki and Taichi fall to 3-2, now there’s a chance for one of these two men to be the block leader! Will the Golden Star shine? Or will the Aerial Assassin strike?

The bell rings and fans rally already. Ospreay and Ibushi both smile as they circle. They feel out the grapple, Ospreay gets a leg and trips Ibushi, but Ibushi counters to go after the arm. Ospreay resists the armbar, moves around to get a facelock but Ibushi slips out to waistlock. Ospreay switches, gets a facelock, Ibushi pops out to waistlock back. Ibushi wants a half nelson but Ospreay wrenches the arm to a wristlock. Ibushi rolls, wrenches back but Ospreay spins and steps through to headlock. Fans cheer the technical exchange but Ibushi goes to power out. Ospreay puts him on ropes, Ibushi pats him on the back as they break. Ospreay pulls an Okada with the fake out, and then he musses Ibushi’s hair. Ibushi gets mad but walks into a kick!

Ospreay headlocks, Ibushi powers out but Ospreay runs him over! Ospreay flexes, then runs, but sees Ibushi’s drop down coming. Ospreay steps on Ibushi and walks all over him. Ospreay digs his foot into Ibushi’s head before he lets off. Ospreay gets fans clapping but Ibushi KICKS him down! Ospreay coughs and sputters, Ibushi whips him but Ospreay ducks and dodges to huricanrana! Ibushi bails out, Ospreay builds speed and fakes Ibushi out to superhero land! But Ibushi is in and gets the wrists! Ospreay dodges Kamigoye and handsprings, NEURALIZER! Fans cheer as Ibushi bails out again. Ospreay slingshots, Ibushi avoids the plancha but Ospreay avoids the clotheslines.

Ospreay gets to the apron to Penalty Kick! And then leap for the flying forearm! A short form of Pip Pip Cheerio but good enough here. Ospreay catches his breath as fans rally up. Ospreay drags Ibushi up and puts him in the ring and fans cheer. Cover, ONE, but Ospreay keeps his cool. Ospreay drags Ibushi up to bump him off buckles, then he throws big forearms! Ibushi eggs Ospreay on, Ospreay CHOPS him! Ospreay stands Ibushi up, snapmares him and hooks the arm into an omoplata to also lace up the legs. Ospreay has the figure four for the Cloverleaf! Ibushi endures and fans rally up, and Ibushi crawls to get the ropes. Ospreay lets go to bring Ibushi back up but Ibushi pushes him away. Ospreay stomps Ibushi, Ibushi eggs him on so Ospreay clubs him.

Ospreay throws forearms, reels Ibushi in but Ibushi blocks the suplex! Ibushi throws body shots, forearms, but Ospreay CHOPS! Ospreay reels Ibushi in to suplex but Ibushi slips out. Ospreay elbows and whips Ibushi but Ibushi reverses to dropkick Ospreay down! Fans cheer and rally as the two slowly rise. Ibushi hurries after Ospreay with a strike fest! Back kick, Penalty kick, standing moonsault! Cover, TWO! Ibushi grows frustrated but the fans rally up and he builds off that energy. Ospreay is in a corner, IBushi runs in but Ospreay dodges. Ospreay comes back, Ibushi goes up and over and grins as Ospreay eggs him on. Ospreay boots and enziguris, atomic drops and CHOPS but Ibushi kips up!

Ibushi kicks, Ospreay blocks and elbows the leg, but Ibushi jumps over Ospreay’s basement dropkick to DOUBLE STOMP him down! Ibushi gets up, drags Ospreay in but Ospreay fights the bomb off. Ospreay pops out the back, boots Ibushi and gets on the apron to springboard, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Ibushi tumbles out and Ospreay builds speed to SASUKE SPECIAL! Direct hit and Ibushi goes down at the ramp! Fans fire up while Ospreay catches his breath. Red Shoes checks Ibushi but he’s okay, so Ospreay drags Ibushi up and into the ring. Ospreay drags Ibushi up, reels him into a dragon sleeper and BLOODY SUNDAY! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay keeps his cool as Ibushi survives. Ospreay brings Ibushi up, scoops and slams him into a drop zone and goes to a corner.

Fans rally up as Ospreay goes to the top rope. Ibushi anchors Ospreay, Ospreay clubs Ibushi but Ibushi forearms back. Ibushi climbs up, underhooks Ospreay, but Ospreay resists the suplex! Fans rally up as the two struggle for control. Ibushi throws forearms over and over, Ospreay CLUBS Ibushi down! Ibushi stays on the apron, gets back up, and CHOPS Ospreay! Ibushi springboards to SUPER STEINER! But Ospreay manages to land on his feet and roll, much like THAT moment between these two! Ibushi is still just as shocked as back then as he sees Ospreay standing! Ospreay dares Ibushi to bring it and the fans fire up. Ibushi grits his teeth but Ospreay forearms first. Ibushi forearms back and the fans rally as these two go back and forth!

Ospreay ROCKS Ibushi, brings him up for more, and ROCKS him again! Ospreay gives Ibushi Kowata Kicks, but Ibushi flips that switch. Ibushi STRAIGHT SHOTS Ospreay in the chest! Ibushi kicks Ospreay around, showing that angry side! Ospreay scrambles away to the ropes but Ibushi brings him up to scoop! Ospreay avoids the lawn dart but Ibushi elbows hard. Ibushi runs into the dropkick flip and enziguri! But Ibushi reels Ospreay in for a HIGH German Suplex! Bridging cover, TWO!! Fans fire up again as Ibushi aims from a corner! Ibushi calls upon the powers of Nakamura for the BOMAYE! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi grows frustrated but he grabs Ospreay’s wrists. Ospreay resists, dodges Kamigoye and HOOK KICKS!

Ospreay reels Ibushi in, underhooks, but Ibushi slips out of Stormbreaker! Ospreay avoids Ibushi’s knee and back kicks to reel Ibushi back in, but Ibushi tries to huricanrana out of the bomb! Ospreay blocks that, brings Ibushi back up and SIT-OUT BOMBS!! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives and fans are fired up again! Ospreay grits his teeth as he aims from a corner. Another flashback to a past match with these two as Ospreay prepares the elbow. Ibushi sits up, runs, but Ibushi elbows Ospreay first! Osperay swats the clothesline away but not the ROUNDHOUSE! Ibushi brings Ospreay up, LAST RIDE!! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi is again beside himself, but he brings the knee pad down.

Fans fire up as Ibushi grabs Ospreay’s wrists. Osprey victory roll counters, TWO! SUPERKICK! Ospreay swings around Ibushi to underhook and lift, but Ibushi slips out to backslide! Ospreay slides off, avoids Kamigoye again, and springboards, into V-TRIGGER!! The Oscutter gets shot out of the sky! Ibushi sits Ospreay up, KAMIGOYE!! Cover, Ibushi wins!!

Winner: Kota Ibushi, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Ospreay earns 0

Ibushi holds and shakes Ospreay’s hand, as thanks for this incredible battle! The Golden Star is rising, can he take the block to go back-to-back? Ibushi gets the mic and takes a moment before speaking. He tells the Young Lions and others that he’s fine, he can get up on his own. Fans cheer as he does just that, and Ibushi continues. “Does everyone remember?” It’s been a long time since he wrestled in Shikoku. The last time he was here, Ibushi vowed he would win the G1, and is proud to say this is win number 4. And as he said before, Ibushi will never run away, lose, give up or betray the fans! “I WILL become a god!” What more did he have to say but restate his mission statement? Will Ibushi truly ascend to the top of NJPW and the wrestling world with this year’s G1?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Kota Ibushi: 4-1, 6 points
Taichi: 3-2, 6 points
Jay White: 3-2, 6 points
Minoru Suzuki: 3-2, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 3-2, 6 points
Kazuchika Okada: 3-2, 6 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 2-3, 4 points
Shingo Takagi: 2-3, 4 points
Jeff Cobb: 2-3, 4 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 0-5, 0 points

My Thoughts:

An incredible G1 and I did not see some of these results coming! The 3-1 block shifts around, and ONLY Ibushi stands at 4-1 after an incredible match with Ospreay. Those references back to previous matches were great, as was the sportsmanship shown after by both men. Much like Naito did before, Ibushi just repeats what he’s said before to give us a simple promo to end the night. I am really thinking Ibushi’s on course to repeat in the finals. Ishii gets a great win off Taichi, Cobb gets an even greater win off White, and Okada gets his own great win off Suzuki. Okada VS Suzuki for the NEVER Openweight Championship would be great, because the only title Okada has held is the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Okada has already expanded his style with the Money Clip, maybe he expands his resume with more titles.

My Score: 9.4/10