There’s no rest for NJPW this week!

NJPW isn’t taking time off from the G1 Climax just yet, as Round Six begins now! Will the Golden Star continue to shine as A Block’s leader?

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Kota Ibushi: 4-1, 8 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

A Block – Tomohiro Ishii VS Yujiro Takahashi!

This is it! Either Tokyo Pimp gets a win, or he is mathematically DONE in the G1! Will the Stone Pitbull be the nail in the coffin on Yujiro’s Climax?

But the second Ishii gets in, Yujiro BOOTS him! Yujiro whips, Ishii swings but Yujiro dodges to come back and clothesline Ishii down! The bell rings to get this on record as Yujiro kicks Ishii out of the ring. Yujiro drags Ishii to the ramp, stomps him down and sits him up, but no Pimp Juice yet! Ishii suplexes but Yujiro resists. Yujiro spins Ishii around for the reverse DDT! The ref says to get this in the ring, but he also checks on Ishii. Yujiro doesn’t care, he just stomps Ishii more. Yujiro drags Ishii up and brings him to the ring. Fans cheer that this is continuing in the ring as Yujiro brings Ishii up. Yujiro bumps Ishii off buckles and stomps him. The fans rally up as Yujiro forearms and elbows away on Ishii.

Yujiro backs up to BOOT Ishii again! Ishii falls, clutching his head. Cover, ONE! Ishii is hurting but he is still in this. Yujiro drags Ishii back up, whips him corner to corner, but Ishii comes back, only for Yujiro to scoop and SLAM him! Cover, TWO! Ishii is frustrated with himself but Yujiro keeps his cool. Fans rally up as Yujiro stomps Ishii more. Ishii eggs Yujiro on so Yujiro stomps again. Ishii sits up, hits back with headbutts to the gut, but Yujiro clubs Ishii down! Yujiro stomps him more then brings Ishii up for a snapmare. Yujiro runs to basement BOOT Ishii down! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Ishii is still in this but Yujiro is annoyed. Yujiro drags Ishii up as fans rally. Yujiro runs again and BOOTS Ishii against ropes.

Yujiro reels Ishii in, fisherman and suplex but Ishii resists! Ishii and Yujiro fight for suplex control, fans rally up and Ishii gets Yujiro up and over! Both men are down but fans rally up again. Ishii stands up, finally takes off his shirt and throws it at Yujiro. Ishii brings Yujiro up but Yujiro rakes his eyes! Ishii still grabs at Yujiro but Yujiro throws forearms. Ishii forearms and headbutts back! Ishii reels Yujiro in but Yujiro BITES his finger! No one learns! The ref reprimands but Ishii says Yujiro’s bite sucks! So Yujiro bites down harder! And harder! The ref counts but Ishii ROCKS Yujiro with a forearm! Yujiro blocks the kick, throws Ishii down and hits a basement dropkick! Yujiro steadies himself while stalking after Ishii.

Yujiro brings Ishii up, slaps him around then whips him to ropes. Ishii reverses, Yujiro holds ropes and baits Ishii into a flapjack hotshot! Ishii falls from the stun gun and Yujiro looms over him. Fans rally up as Yujiro stands Ishii up for forearms! Ishii just gets mad and he tanks the forearm shots! Ishii stares Yujiro down, Yujiro keeps throwing forearms, but Ishii winds back. Yujiro ROCKS Ishii first, but Ishii gets around for a BIG back suplex! Both men are down again but fans fire up as Ishii rises! Ishii runs, Yujiro catches the lariat to a dragon sleeper. Ishii spins out but Yujiro blocks his suplex to FISHERMAN BUSTER! Fans fire up again but Ishii clutches his arm now! Ishii must’ve had a bad landing out of the buster and the ref checks on him in the corner. Ishii refuses to let this end here and fans rally up.

Yujiro runs at Ishii in the corner but Ishii boots first! Ishii ducks Yujiro’s clothesline to GERMAN SUPLEX Yujiro into buckles! Both men are down again and fans rally up! Ishii gets up in the corner and hurries after Yujiro. Ishii gives toying knees, then hoists Yujiro up top. Ishii climbs and brings Yujiro up for a STALLING SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro survives but fans fire up with Ishii! Ishii drags Yujiro up, reels him in and lifts, but Yujiro escapes the bomb to clothesline! Ishii doesn’t budge, he just DECKS Yujiro in return! Ishii drags Yujiro up and reels him in again, but Yujiro Alabama lifts for the ALABAMA SLAM! Fans rally up as Ishii stirs and Yujiro steadies himself.

Yujiro runs, Ishii swats the lariat away but Yujiro mule kicks and runs, LARIAT! Yujiro drags Ishii right up, reels him in but Ishii resists the first. Yujiro tries again, INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Yujiro grows frustrated with Ishii but fans rally up. Yujiro drags Ishii up, fireman’s carries but Ishii slips out. Ishii blocks the boot, headbutts and runs, but into MIAMI SHINE! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and fans fire up again! Yujiro brings Ishii up again, but Ishii denies Pimp Juice, so Yujiro SUPERKICKS! Yujiro sits Ishii up again, still no Pimp Juice as Ishii standing switches and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Both men are down and fans rally up again. Yujiro stands at the ropes, runs at Ishii and boots, but Ishii uses that momentum to run! Yujiro boots him again but Ishii enziguris!

Ishii fires himself up, gets his arm working again and waits for Yujiro to rise. Ishii runs to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro survives but Ishii is still fired up! Fans rally again as Ishii brings Yujiro up. Yujiro resists the suplex, but swings into another try. Yujiro still resists, even as Ishii tries again and again. Ishii gets Yujiro up but can’t hold him there! Yujiro fisherman BUSTERS!! It wasn’t the best but Ishii is down! Yujiro gets back up as fans rally again. Yuijro runs, Ishii LARIATS! Ishii drags Yujiro up, suplexes but Yujiro cradle counters, TWO!!! Yuijro gets around Ishii, backslides but Ishii rolls off! Yujiro reels Ishii in, but again Pimp Juice is denied, and Ishii HEADBUTTS!! Like a torpedo!

Both men are down and fans fire up! Ishii sits Yuijro up for the SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro still lives but Ishii won’t quit! Ishii drags Yujiro up, suplexes him and BRAIN BUSTERS!! Cover, Ishii wins!

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

That’s it! Tokyo Pimp is DONE! At 0-6, there is NO CHANCE he can make it into the finals now! But does Ishii still have an outside chance at 3-3?

A Block – Kazuchika Okada VS Jeff Cobb!

The Rainmaker secured a win over the NEVER Openweight Champion last round, but the Hawaiian Hulk conquered the “Jay1!” Will Okada make it rain again? Or will he take a very costly Tour of the Islands?

The bell rings and fans cheer and clap, “O-KA-DA!” Okada and Cobb circle, tie up, and Cobb powers Okada to ropes. Okada turns things around and lets up, to give his fake out and shoulder pats. Fans cheer while Okada backs up. Cobb runs in but Okada kicks low to headlock. Cobb powers out and runs Okada over! Cobb brushes off his shoulder, things speed up and Cobb catches Okada’s hurdle to pop him up to a stalling suplex! Okada bails out while fans cheer that feat of strength! Cobb waits for Okada and fans rally up. The ring count is 8 of 20 but Okada comes back at 11. Okada walks into Cobb’s kick, Cobb whips Okada to a corner and runs in. Okada dodges the back elbow, kicks low and turns Cobb for a neckbreaker! Fans rally up again as Okada brings Cobb up for elbows.

Okada throws forearms, snapmares and sits Cobb up for the basement dropkick! Cobb gets to a corner, Okada brings him up and out to turn him again. Neckbreaker! Fans cheer again as Okada says he’ll give one more. Okada brings Cobb up, turns him again, and hits the third neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Okada keeps calm as he sits Cobb up for a chinlock. Cobb endures as Okada digs his knee in. Okada cranks back, fans rally up and Cobb fights back up. Cobb throws elbows, Okada clubs his back, and Okada whips Cobb to another corner. Okada runs in but Cobb dodges now. Cobb runs Okada over and fans rally. Cobb keeps running Okada over, then powers him into a corner! Cobb whips Okada out then into the corner, and catches him for the OVERHEAD Belly2Belly!

Fans cheer and Cobb grins as he watches Okada slowly get up. Cobb runs corner to corner and hits the leaping back elbow! Cobb brings Okada up, RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Okada barely gets out but he’s still in this. Cobb drags Okada up, but Okada escapes the lawn dart to dodge and duck and run Cobb over with a back elbow! Okada fires up and so do the fans! Okada whips Cobb to a corner, runs in and hits his back elbow. Okada kicks low and DDT’s! Cover, TWO! Okada keeps calm and gets fans to clap-clap-clap-stomp. Cobb slowly rises as Okada watches. Okada tries to Alabama but Cobb is too big! Okada throws forearms, Cobb ROCKS Okada with one! Okada boots, runs but Cobb dodges to LARIAT! Both men are down and fans rally up.

Cobb gut wrenches Okada up and around and around, just toying with him! Cobb brings Okada up but Okada fights off the bomb, so Cobb pops him into the ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO!! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and fans are fired up! Cobb says it’s time for the tour, and he whips Okada to ropes. Okada fights off the scoop, so Cobb CHOPS him! Cobb runs, into Okada’s dropkick! Okada brings Cobb up, manages a gut wrench and TOMBSTONE! Fans fire up as Okada sits Cobb up, for the MONEY CLIP! Cobb endures, fans rally but Okada leans on him. Cobb gets up, reaches for ropes but Okada shifts to backslide! Cover, TWO! RAIN- NO! Cobb ducks that but Okada elbows him away. Okada runs but into Cobb’s dropkick! Okada sits up in a daze but flops over!

Cobb sits up and grins as fans rally! Cobb mocks the Rainmaker pose! Cobb wristlocks and ripcords for the TOUR- NO! Okada slips out, spins Cobb, but Cobb dodges the discus to GERMAN SUPLEX! Cobb hurries to get Okada up and whips him to ropes. Cobb scoops, but Okada cradle counters, TWO!! Fans fire up as Okada BOOTS Cobb! Cobb SUPERKICKS Okada! Both men fall to their knees but fans fire up again! Cobb stands first, brings Okada up but Okada European Uppercuts. Okada ducks the clothesline and hits the DISCUS, but Cobb stays up! Cobb roars but Okada blocks his clothesline to wrench this way then that way and Alabama lift! Cobb sunset flips, Okada sits on it, Okada wins!!

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

Another sudden victory for Okada! Cobb is frustrated that he got caught like that, is he done for in the G1? As for Okada, can he take the block winning by the seat of his pants?

A Block – Will Ospreay VS Minoru Suzuki!

The Assassin and the King of Pancrase are both rebounding from the previous round, and surely that means Ospreay is up against a furious Suzuki! Will Ospreay be able to survive Suzuki’s wrath and get a win?

The bell rings and Ospreay BOOTS Suzuki! Suzuki boots back and they start throwing forearms back and forth! Fans fire up, Suzuki ROCKS Ospreay but Ospreay reverses the whip! Suzuki holds ropes to dodge the dropkick, but Ospreay ducks the Penalty Kick! Ospreay dropkicks Suzuki out of the ring then slingshots to PLANCHA! Fans cheer as Ospreay takes Suzuki down, but Ospreay doesn’t let up long. Ospreay sits Suzuki up to throw forearms and elbows. Suzuki gives them back and eggs Ospreay on. Ospreay throws forearms back, Suzuki knees low and whips. Ospreay stops himself to elbow back, the uses the railing as a springboard! Pip Pip Cheerio is CAUGHT into a Fujiwara!

The ref reprimands, this doesn’t matter on the outside so let go! Suzuki lets go at 3, storms off and gets a chair! The ref tells him to stop and grabs at the chair. Suzuki shoves ref and chair down to stomp Ospreay’s arm. Suzuki puts the arm through railing and pulls, to then BOOT the arm! Suzuki drags Ospreay up, puts his arm around the post and pulls! The ref reprimands and counts but Suzuki hooks on with a draping armbar! The ref counts, Suzuki stops at 3 and lets Ospreay fall to the floor. Ospreay clutches his arm but fans rally up. Suzuki drags Ospreay up, puts him in the ring and fans cheer. Suzuki stomps Ospreay’s arm more, KICKS Ospreay in the chest and looms over him at the ropes.

Suzuki grabs the bad arm and wrenches it around to then stand on it. Suzuki leg hook hammerlocks but Ospreay gets the ropebreak! The ref counts, Suzuki lets go at 3 and Ospreay gets to a corner. Suzuki toys with Ospreay as he kicks him around. Suzuki slaps Ospreay around and eggs him on. Ospreay throws a foream but it only hurts! Suzuki taunts Ospreay so Ospreay CHOPS! But again that’s the bad arm so it hurts Ospreay more than Suzuki! Suzuki CHOPS Ospreay and keeps egging him on. Suzuki ROCKS Ospreay with a forearm, Ospreay CHOPS! And CHOPS! Suzuki CHOPS and Ospreay falls over! Fans fire up as Ospreay tries to get his bad arm working. Suzuki stands Ospreay up to CHOP him again, and again!

Suzuki stands Ospreay up to whip but Ospreay reverses, only for Suzuki to reverse and reel him in for an IRON OCTOPUS! Fans rally as Ospreay endures but Suzuki cranks back hard on the bad arm! Ospreay fights his way over and manages to fall into the ropebreak! Suzuki lets go and he KICKS the bad arm! Suzuki whips Ospreay, Ospreay handsprings for the NEURALIZER! Ospreay tells the ref to leave his arm alone. Fans rally up and Ospreay fires up! Ospreay brings Suzuki up to atomic drop and CHOP! Standing Shooting Star! Cover, TWO! Ospreay keeps his focus as he goes to the apron. Ospreay springboards, but again he’s caught into the FUJIWARA! Suzuki cranks back on the bad arm, knuckle lock and now facelock included! Ospreay reaches, Suzuki drags him from ropes and tortures that arm!!

Ospreay endures, Suzuki bends fingers now, but Ospreay still reaches with a leg to the ropebreak! Suzuki lets go and seethes as fans rally up. Suzuki brings Ospreay up, ROCKS him with a forearm, and waits for him to get up. Suzuki runs corner to corner to BOOT Ospreay! Suzuki runs, Ospreay blocks the Penalty Kick but that only hurts the arm! Suzuki SLAMS the arm on the mat! Suzuki drags Ospreay up to kick the arm but fans still rally. Suzuki stands Ospreay up to slap him around, but Ospreay forearms back. Ospreay just hurts his arm again, but he keeps trying! Suzuki taunts Ospreay and then ROCKS him with a forearm! Suzuki mockingly asks what’s wrong, but Ospreay flounders up to forearm back. Ospreay switches to use the good arm!

Suzuki ROCKS Ospreay, but Ospreay hits back! Suzuki hits, Ospreay hits, Suzuki ROCKS Ospreay and he wobbles! Ospreay hits back again, but Suzuki comes back to ROCK him! And again! And again! Ospreay goes down! Fans fire up as Suzuki stands Ospreay back up to BOOT the bad arm! Ospreay boots back, tumbles to the apron, and springboards to PIP PIP CHEERIO! Suzuki is down! Ospreay covers, TWO! Fans rally up and Ospreay drags Suzuki to a drop zone. Ospreay goes up top, but Suzuki intercepts and gets the bad arm! The ref reprimands, Ospreay fights back and headbutts Suzuki down! Fans fire up as Ospreay adjusts, for the 450! Suzuki moves, Ospreay rolls through! Suzuki BOOTS, Ospreay SUPERKICKS, Suzuki SLAPS but Ospreay HOOK KICKS! Both men go down and the fans are fired up again!

Fans rally, Ospreay sits up first and he heads after Suzuki. Ospreay underhooks but Suzuki powers out to get the bad arm! Ospreay throws forearm after forearm, but SUzuki holds on., Ospreay throws more forearms, faster and faster! Suzuki throws them all back! Suzuki DECKS Ospreay and fans fire up again! Suzuki drags Ospreay up, kicks but Ospreay blocks and ROCKS Suzuki back! Both men wobble but Ospreay fires up. Ospreay runs, Suzuki follows but Ospreay dodges to handspring! Suzuki catches the back elbow into a sleeper hold! Ospreay pries the hold apart to elbow breaker! Ospreay suplexes Suzuki, covers, TWO! Fans rally again as Ospreay gets to a corner.

Suzuki sits up, Ospreay prepares the elbow pad, HIDDEN- NO! Suzuki ducks to kick the bad arm! Suzuki blocks the boot, runs, tilt-o-whirl takedown! SLEEPER HOLD! Ospreay fights up as fans fire up, he reaches for ropes but is fading fast! Ospreay is turning purple! Ospreay gets a second wind to get up but Suzuki spins him around, Ospreay PELES! Fans fire up as Ospreay underhooks and lifts, but Suzuki slips out to sleeper! Ospreay slips out to try again, STORMBREAKER!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!

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

The Rev-Pro British Heavyweight Champion not only survives but he defeats the NEVER Openweight Champion! Will Ospreay look to get the NEVER title back and be a dual champion?

A Block – Taichi VS Jay White w/ Gedo!

Speaking of rebounding, both these men were primed to lead the block but are falling from the top! Will the Sliest Wrestler in the World see all of King Switch’s tricks coming? Or do White and Gedo have something not even Taichi could think up?

White has a chair to take a seat for Taichi’s “singing.” White applauds, but Red Shoes makes sure he doesn’t use the chair as a weapon. The chair is set aside, the entrance attire is removed, and White gives Gedo the Low Sweet. White makes sure Taichi’s fanny pack is put aside, too. Taichi sets it down, talking some trash as he does. The bell rings and both men bail out! Taichi knows White’s tricks and White sees Taichi copying him. They both get back in and fans cheer. Taichi and White circle, both smirking. Then they both bail out! White says, “That’s cute,” and Taichi applauds White. They both dare the other to get back in, and they both slowly get back in the ring. White and Taichi talk more smack, Taichi roundhouses but White ducks! White reels Taichi in but Taichi spins out of Blade Runner!

Taichi ducks White’s chop, both men run, and Taichi bails out! Gedo talks smack, but Taichi sees White’s sneak attack coming! Taichi whips White into railing! Taichi grabs camera cable and uses it to choke White! Gedo protests but Taichi tells him to stay back. Red Shoes tells them all to stop, Taichi lets go of White to go after Gedo. Gedo backs off and Taichi goes back after White. White POSTS Taichi! White throws up Too Sweet to commentary but Liger refuses. White stomps Taichi, whips him into railing and gets back in the ring to refresh the count. White complains to Red Shoes about the cable choking before he fetches Taichi into the ring. Taichi rolls out the far side but White runs around the way to club him down! White whips Taichi into railing and Gedo applauds.

White grabs Taichi’s mic stand and dares him to sing now. Red Shoes takes the stand back and puts it aside. Fans rally and the ring count begins. Taichi gets to the ring at 8 of 20 but White is after him with stomps! White mocks the applause again and he drags Taichi up for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! White is frustrated but he rains down right hands on Taichi. Cover, TWO! Gedo protests the count now but White sits Taichi up for a chinlock. Taichi endures, White knees him in the back! White stalks Taichi to ropes and stomps him to keep him from escaping. White puts Taichi in a corner to ram shoulders in over and over. White rakes Taichi’s eyes but Red Shoes reprimands. White stops and whips Taichi corner to corner, then runs in. Taichi boots but White blocks it to CHOP Taichi down!

Fans cheer while White flexes. Fans rally up, White mocks their applause, and White goes back. Taichi boots, White blocks but Taichi rakes White’s eyes! Gedo protests but Taichi dodges White to GAMANGIRI! Both men are down and fans rally up! White flounders around while Taichi gets up. White sits up, ducks the buzzsaw but Taichi back kicks. Taichi has White in a corner, chokes him, but lets up at Red Shoes’ reprimands. Taichi whips, White reverses but Taichi dodges him in the corner. White dodges the gamangiri to chop block the other leg! Taichi hobbles and White grins as he runs in, DDT! Gedo likes what he sees as he and the fans applaud. Fans rally up, Taichi gets to a corner but White runs in. White hits a EuroUpper, reels Taichi in and ANARCHY SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO!!

Taichi survives and White scowls but he drags Taichi back up. Taichi resists the urenage but White CHOPS him down! White brings Taichi up again, whips him to ropes but Taichi reverses! White fights off the saido but Taichi BLINDSIDE AX BOMBERS! White staggers into ropes and falls down while fans rally up! Taichi fires up, runs, but White drops down to deny another Ax Bomber. White sits up, ducks the buzzsaw but the AX BOMBER comes back! Cover, TWO!! White survives but Taichi is too tired to be frustrated. Fans rally up as Taichi says he’ll end this. Taichi reels White in, brings him up but White resists. White holds onto a leg but Taichi gives Kowata kicks. Taichi reels him in again but White trips him for a GROUND DRAGON SCREW!

White drags Taichi back up but has to duck the enziguri! DEAD LIFT GERMAN! But Taichi is right back up, only to run into the URENAGE! White drags Taichi back up, Taichi gets around, DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Both men are down again and fans fire up! White and Taichi stir, Taichi rolls to ropes while White slowly sits up. White eggs Taichi on but Taichi eggs him on. Taichi kicks first, then dares White to throw a forearm. White throws a knee low! White eggs Taichi on, also daring him to forearm, so Taichi kicks him! Taichi again dares White to forearm, White kicks low! White spanks Taichi and dares him to hit back. Taichi gets the arm moving so he kicks low! White knees low, pushes Taichi around, Taichi kicks again. White knees, Taichi kicks, repeat!

Taichi gets the edge but White blocks the kick! White spins Taichi but Taichi elbows the sleeper hold away. Taichi swings but White throws body shots and a forearm! Taichi slips out of the sleeper to kick and enziguri! Both men are down and fans fire up! Taichi drags White up and tells Gedo to watch this! GEDO CLUTCH! But Gedo gets in to distract Red Shoes! Taichi would’ve won three times over by now! Taichi lets White go to threaten Gedo, but he sees White’s low blow coming! Taichi has the leg, and goes to do the same thing, but Gedo points that out to Red Shoes! Red Shoes stops Taichi from kicking White’s kiwis, and Taichi accuses Gedo of tricks. White shoves Taichi into Red Shoes! Red Shoes goes down and Gedo goes to attack Taichi, but Taichi blocks that to LOW BLOW Gedo!

Gedo goes down and Taichi blocks White’s low blow uppercut! Taichi LOW BLOWS White! GEDO CLUTCH!! Cover, TWO!?! White survives and fans are fired up again! Fans rally up as White and Taichi slowly rise. Taichi fires himself up and he drags White up and in. Taichi lifts, POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Both men are down again but fans rally up. Taichi stands first and off come the pants! Taichi aims from a corner, focuses, but White uses Red Shoes as a shield! Taichi shoves him aside, avoids Blade Runner, but White slips out of Black Mephisto! Taichi again avoids Blade Runner but White CHOPS Taichi. Taichi DECKS White! Taichi focuses, aims and SUPERK- NO! BLADE RUNNER OUTTA NOWHERE!!! Cover, White wins!!

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

The Switchblade wins by the skin of his teeth! All the tricks he tried failed but he still found a way to win! Is the “Jay1” back on?

A Block – Kota Ibushi VS Shingo Takagi!

The Golden Star is determined to be not just a back-to-back finalist, but a back-to-back winner of the G1! Will the Dragon make that a much more difficult feat by giving Ibushi his second defeat?

The bell rings and fans cheer as the two stand off. They circle, approach and take swipes. Takagi and Ibushi approach again, test the waters, and then tie up. They’re in a deadlock but Takagi manages to power Ibushi back. Ibushi turns things around but he pats Takagi on the shoulders. Takagi turns things around but Ibushi dodges the chop to headlock. Takagi powers out, Ibushi comes back with a shoulder but so does Takagi and he runs Ibushi over! Fans cheer as things speed up. Ibushi drops, jumps up but is caught to a fireman’s carry. Ibushi slips out, runs but into Takagi’s elbow! Takagi runs but into Ibushi’s ROUNDHOUSE! Ibushi standing moonsaults but Takagi moves and knocks Ibushi off his feet. Ibushi avoids the sliding lariat and fans cheer as the two stand off.

Takagi and Ibushi keep their cool as fans rally back up. Ibushi and Takagi circle again, tie up, and Ibushi powers Takagi to a corner. Takagi turns it around, Ibushi clinches but Red Shoes reprimands. Takagi throws forearms then eggs Ibushi on! Fans cheer as Ibushi gives forearms back. Takagi forearms again and fans rally as the two brawl. Back and forth, fast and furious, and Takagi ROCKS Ibushi! Takagi whips, IBushi reverses and dropkicks Takagi down! Takagi bails out, Ibushi hurries over but Takagi moves to deny the plancha. Takagi goes around the ring as fans rally up. Takagi looks under the ring for things but Red Shoes reprimands. Red Shoes keeps Ibushi back and Takagi gets in. Ibushi rushes Takagi with kicks and forearms.

Ibushi stomps Takagi at the ropes then brings him up for forearms. Ibushi whips Takagi but Takagi holds ropes. Ibushi knees low to whip but Takagi reverses. Takagi runs in, Ibushi goes up and over and comes back. Takagi puts him on the apron, Ibushi forearms Takagi away, but Takagi catches the springboard for a fireman’s carry and hotshot! Takagi runs to clothesline Ibushi out of the ring! Fans rally up as Takagi goes out to fetch Ibushi. Fans clap for either “I-BU-SHI” or “TA-KA-GI” but it’s the same rhythm. Takagi stomps Ibushi, brings him up and RAMS him into the apron! And again RAMS him into the apron! Takagi drags Ibushi up, fireman’s carries and snake eyes off the apron! Takagi kicks low and DDT’s Ibushi down! Red Shoes checks on Ibushi as Takagi gets the fans to rally.

Takagi drags Ibushi up and into the ring, to slingshot knee drop! Takagi digs his heel into Ibushi’s face but Red Shoes reprimands. Takagi lets up to stomp, stomp and springboard stomp Ibushi down! Ibushi sits up and grits his teeth. Takagi gives him toying kicks but Ibushi hits back. Takagi eggs Ibushi on so Ibushi keeps throwing forearms. Takagi ROCKS Ibushi with one! Takagi drags Ibushi back up to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi keeps Ibushi from getting away to clamp on with a chinlock. Ibushi endures, fans rally up but Takagi leans all his weight on Ibushi’s head. Ibushi fights up and around to get a ropebreak in a headstand. Takagi lets go and drops knees on Ibushi’s head! Takagi mockingly asks what’s wrong, and talks some more smack.

Ibushi sits up, Takagi gives more toying kicks but Ibushi eggs him on. Takagi kicks him more then throws forearms. Ibushi gives the forearms right back and they brawl again! Takagi ROCKS Ibushi, Ibushi comes back. Things get rough and Takagi rocks Ibushi again. Ibushi kicks, but into Takagi’s DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up, Takagi goes after Ibushi’s leg with a wrench. Takagi stands on and stomps the knee, then drags Ibushi up. Takagi whips Ibushi to a corner, runs in but blocks Ibushi’s boot. Takagi clotheslines, runs but into the SNAP-RANA! Fans fire up as both men are down! Ibushi rises, drags Takagi up but ducks his forearm to fire off a strike fest! ROUNDHOUSE, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!

Takagi bails out, Ibushi aims and slingshots for the PLANCHA! Direct hit and they crash down at commentary! Fans fire up more as Ibushi gets back up. Ibushi gets Takagi up and in, then brings Takagi up. Takagi resists the bomb lift, fans rally up as Takagi back drops Ibushi away! Ibushi gets up and runs in to BOOT! Takagi stays up! Ibushi tries to boot again but Takagi blocks and elbows the leg. Ibushi kicks back, but they get forehead to forehead. They shove each other, then Ibushi throws a kick. Takagi swats it away, and then again, and again! That only serves to hurt the forearm, Ibushi kicks from the other side! Ibushi runs, into the elbow! JAB! LARIAT! Fans fire up while Takagi catches his breath and shakes out his arms. Fans rally up as Takagi goes back to Ibushi and brings him up.

Takagi hooks Ibushi but Ibushi resists and throws elbows. Ibushi swings, into Takagi’s underhooks but he fights out to backslide. Takagi rolls through, avoids Kamigoye and gets Ibushi back up, NOSHIGAMI! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Ibushi survives, and Takagi fires himself up! The clap of “TA-BU-SHI” “I-KA-GI” (Maybe Squid?) go as Takagi sits Ibushi up. Takagi elbows away on Ibushi’s shoulder then runs, but Ibushi ducks the sliding lariat. Takagi ducks the kick, shoves Ibushi, and clotheslines collide! Takagi swats Ibushi’s clothesline away, SNAP SAIDO! Ibushi is up, SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Both men are down but fans fire up again.

Ibushi and Takagi slowly rise and head for each other. They give junkyard dog headbutts then shift to forearms. They go back and forth on their knees, fans rally up with them as Ibushi eggs Takagi on. Now they throw slaps! Ibushi stands, Takagi CHOPS! Ibushi KICKS! Takagi CHOPS, Ibushi KICKS, repeat! They’re picking up speed, Takagi JABS and CHOPS! Ibushi KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! Takagi drops to a knee and fans fire up! Ibushi eggs Takagi on, Takagi JABS him! Ibushi wobbles, Takagi grits his teeth and drags Ibushi up for forearms from all sides! Takagi ROCKS Ibushi but he comes back, into a waistlock! Takagi CLUBS Ibushi, GERMAN, but Ibushi manages to land on his feet! Ibushi comes back to BUZZSAW!

Fans fire up as Ibushi calls for his next move! He gets Takagi up, LAST RIDE!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives but Ibushi still has something to try! Takagi rises, Ibushi runs in, but into a POP-UP DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Both men are down again and fans fire up! Fans rally as Takagi rises first. Takagi drags Ibushi up, pump handles and torture racks, but Ibushi slips out. Takagi elbows him, but runs into V-TRIGGER! KENNY! Ibushi has the wrists but Takagi headbutts to stop Kamigoye! Ibushi STRAIGHT SHOTS! Fans cheer as Ibushi brings Takagi back up, but Takagi ducks the kick to pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!!! Ibushi survives but sputters as Takagi fires up!

Takagi gets to a corner as fans rally again. Takagi dares Ibushi to stand, and then runs in for PUMPING BOMBER! Ibushi gets back up so Takagi runs again, BLINDSIDE PUMPING, then FORWARD PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Ibushi survives double pumping?! Fans rally up, Takagi crawls to Ibushi and drags him up. Ibushi back kicks but Takagi tanks it to pump handle. Ibushi fights off the lift with furious elbows, but Takagi POINT BLANK LARIATS! Ibushi sits up, Takagi brings him back up for another LARIAT! Ibushi stays up this time! Takagi LARIATS again and Ibushi flops over! Fans are thunderous as Takagi stands Ibushi back up!

Ibushi back kicks and it hits this time. Ibushi runs, Takagi follows to clothesline at ropes! Takagi runs but into Ibushi’s LARIAT! Ibushi brings knee pads down, BOMAYE!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi survives but Ibushi gets his wrists! KAMI- NO!! Takagi tanks it, and LAST OF THE DRAGONS!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!!!

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

The Dragon slays the Golden Star!! Ibushi’s ascension is not yet here as Takagi brings him down to earth! Can Ibushi still join the Gods of Strong Style like this? Can he still take the block like this?

“Oi, Hiroshima! This was a big one!” Takagi is now 3-3 in the G1, finally breaking even. “What I say from here isn’t scientific. It’s all about feelings. Hiroshima, you like NJPW, right?” The fans cheer because they do. Then let him put his feelings out there. He faced last year’s winner and beat Ibushi, the man atop the A Block! They know what that means, right? That means he still has an outside chance to get to the finals! He’ll keep coming for more, he’s not done yet! But don’t play favorites, Hiroshima. Tanahashi got a lot in more for his speech. Fans cheer more and he likes that. Takagi vows to keep this momentum, “and like a dragon, I will soar to victory!” The Dragon has one of the biggest wins under his belt now, but can he make good on it?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Will Ospreay: 4-2, 8 points
Jay White: 4-2, 8 points
Kota Ibushi: 4-2, 8 points
Kazuchika Okada: 4-2, 8 points
Taichi: 3-3, 6 points
Minoru Suzuki: 3-3, 6 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 3-3, 6 points
Shingo Takagi: 3-3, 6 points
Jeff Cobb: 2-4, 4 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 0-6, 0 points

My Thoughts:

Another great round for A Block with some great surprises! For one, I did NOT think Takagi would win against Ibushi but what an incredible match. Of course, now there’s a crazy log jam at 4-2. White gets a big win over Taichi in a great match, but Taichi did a great job anticipating all the Heel tactics. Taichi was the lesser of two Heels and fans rallied behind him. I wonder if Taichi is slowly getting over with the Japanese audience. Ospreay had a great match with Suzuki with great story telling of the bad arm, and Cobb gives Okada a great match but I’m surprised Okada won with another quick cover. But while Okada is 4-2, he’s lost to Ibushi and White so he’s definitely not first place. White beat Ibushi, Ospreay beat White but Ibushi beat Ospreay so someone has to pull away to stand alone before the end of the round robin. Ibushi is up against Suzuki next, that’s going to be a tough one for a rebound match.

My Score: 9.4/10