Will anyone run into bad luck this G1?

The fourth round arrives, and two undefeated entries clash! Will Zack Sabre Jr. make Great-O-Khan #JustTapOut? Or will he be conquered by the Dominator?

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

• Tomohiro Ishii VS Tanga Loa w/ Jado; Ishii wins.
• Zack Sabre Jr. VS Great-O-Khan; ZSJ wins.
• Kota Ibushi VS Toru Yano; Ibushi wins.
• Shingo Takagi VS KENTA; Takagi wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Great-O-Khan: 4-0, 8 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 3-0, 6 points
Kenta: 3-1, 6 points
Toru Yano: 3-1, 6 points
Shingo Takagi: 2-1, 4 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 2-2, 4 points [has special singles bye]
Kota Ibushi: 2-2, 4 points
Tanga Loa: 1-2, 2 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 1-3, 2 points

Tomohiro Ishii VS Tanga Loa w/ Jado!

The Stone Pitbull and the Silverback are both last in the block, only having points by virtue of Tetsuya Naito’s withdrawal. Who finally earns themselves points with their first win?

The bell rings and fans rally up for “I-SHI-I!” as he and Loa approach. They tie up, Ishii headlocks, Loa powers out and they ram shoulders. Neither falls so Ishii runs and rams Loa again. Loa still doesn’t fall but he fires up as Ishii runs again. They ram shoulders again, Loa throws a forearm! Loa runs and rams a shoulder but Ishii stays up! Ishii roars, forearms and runs to ram Loa again. They ram and ram, Ishii staggers so Loa runs. Loa rams, Ishii rebounds and Loa runs him over! Loa throws Ishii out then goes out after him but Ishii gets right back in. Fans cheer as Ishii outmaneuvers Loa and dares him to get back in.

Loa returns, he and Ishii go face to face and Loa dares Ishii to bring it. Ishii throws a forearm, Loa gives it back, and repeat. Fans rally up as the forearms fly back and forth. Ishii eggs Loa on and they hit harder and harder, faster and faster! Ishii answers as quickly as Loa does, and fans cheer as they just keep going! Again and again, and again, but Ishii ROCKS Loa! Ishii grits his teeth as he adds on, but Loa roars to hit back. And again! Ishii staggers, drops to a knee, but he bails out of the ring. Loa pursues, brings him around and whips him into railing! Ishii falls through the open gateway while Loa catches his breath. Fans rally as Ishii stirs and Loa storms over.

Loa drags Ishii up, picks him up and RAMS him into the post! Ishii writhes and clutches his back but fans still rally behind him. Loa stomps Ishii, stands on his neck, but the ref reprimands. Loa stops then drags Ishii back into the ring. Loa slingshots for a senton! Cover, TWO! Fans rally but Loa rains down forearms. Loa lets off and sits Ishii up to CLUB him! Loa wraps on a chinlock and CLUBS Ishii in the face again and again! Fans rally as Ishii endures the chinlock, and Ishii throws hands back. Loa jams an elbow into Ishii’s forehead! Loa drags Ishii up, whips him to the corner and clotheslines! And then whips him back in for another clothesline!

Loa brings Ishii up for an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Fans still rally for Ishii but Loa drags him up. Loa suplexes but Ishii fights that off. Ishii and Loa fight for suplex control and fans rally again. Ishii powers Loa up and over in the suplex! Fans fire up while both men are down on the mat, but Loa gets to a corner. Ishii stands and heads over to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Ishii whips corner to corner but Loa comes back, into a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up as Ishii drags Loa up and waistlocks. Loa fights the lift, but Ishii duck the elbow to ROCK Loa! Ishii runs but Loa spins him for a NECKBREAKER!

Loa gets Ishii back up and fireman’s carries, but Ishii slips off, shoves and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Loa stands right up! Loa shakes his head, BOOTS Ishii, then BOOTS him again. BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Loa keeps on Ishii with the OG KILLER! Ishii endures the crossface, even as Loa cranks way back! Ishii scoots and gets the ropebreak! Loa lets go in frustration but he drags Ishii back up. Loa reels Ishii in, Ishii fights off the lift and back drops Loa away! Fans fire up and rally as Loa crawls to a corner. Ishii runs in to clothesline! Loa flops but Ishii fires himself up. Ishii stands Loa back up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up to join him.

Loa resists as Ishii stands him up on the top, but Ishii still gets the SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! Loa survives but Ishii growls and stands up. Fans rally, Ishii runs but Loa boots the lariat away! Ishii lariats with the left, Loa throws a forearm but Ishii DECKS him with a forearm in return! Ishii sits Loa up and runs, but Loa springs up to dropkick! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Loa sits up, looks around and finds Ishii. Ishii rises, Loa runs and RAMS him into the corner! Loa runs again but Ishii swats his clothesline away! Loa returns the favor, runs but Ishii dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither falls, so they DOUBLE LARIAT again!

Ishii and Loa roar forehead to forehead as neither falls! They both run, Loa’s LARIAT wins out! Loa goes up top, DIVING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and fans are fired up again as both men are down! Loa gets Ishii up, Ishii headbutts! Loa ENZIGURIS! Ishii staggers but fires up, but runs into a SPEAR! Loa gets Ishii up to SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives again and the fans are thunderous! Fans rally for “I-SHI-I!” hard as ever but Loa stands up first. Loa calls for it, and drags Ishii up to scoop. Ishii slips out and spins Loa for an ENZIGURI! Loa staggers away but stays up, and roars as he runs back, into Ishii’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO!

Both men are down again but the fans continue to rally. Loa sits up and grits his teeth, but Ishii roars as he gets back up. Loa LARIATS, Ishii’s right up to LARIAT! DOUBLE LARIAT! Ishii HEADBUTTS Loa off his feet! Fans fire up with Ishii as he roars and shouts for Loa to stand! Loa rises, Ishii runs, but Loa SPINEBUSTERS! Loa hurries to scoop Ishii up, but Ishii reverses to a dragon sleeper! Loa spins through but into a suplex! BRAINBUSTER!! Ishii wins!!

Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Loa earns 0)

The Stone Pitbull is the first NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Champion to get points this year! Is this a sign that they can all #GetBackUp and #TurnItAround? As for Loa, he is still without his first true win in his G1 debut. Will he have to wait until he can spoil someone else’s run to get points?

Zack Sabre Jr. VS Great-O-Khan!

The Submission Master and the Dominator are both undefeated, but only one of them actually defeated Tetsuya Naito to earn those 2 points. Will ZSJ make Khan #JustTapOut and earn two more points? Or will the United Empire stay strong in the G1?

The bell rings and fans rally as Khan and ZSJ circle. They feel out the grapple, each trying for a leg. They each evade, but Khan pushes the advance. ZSJ turns it around on Khan but Khan switches. ZSJ drop toeholds but Khan gets away, and fans cheer this fast exchange. They reset and feel things out again. ZSJ pushes Khan off the leg takedown to hook a leg. Khan holds that off but ZSJ arm-drags through. Khan headscissors then uses that to float to a back mount. ZSJ switches, Khan switches, ZSJ rolls and wants an arm but Khan scrambles away again. Fans cheer this newest exchange as the two stand off again.

ZSJ and Khan reset again and talk a little smack, which fans cheer on, too. They feel things out again, Khan taking a backwards stance of sorts. ZSJ shoots in but Khan avoids the leg trip. Khan tries the same but ZSJ uses a leg guard. Khan just goes after the legs but ZSJ squirrels around and rolls to hook Khan with his legs. Khan keeps moving to avoid a Triangle, then he has a body scissor to roll ZSJ. ZSJ gets a ropebreak and fans cheer as this third exchange breaks up. Fans rally as the two circle again. Khan and ZSJ again feel things out. Khan shoots in and gets both legs but ZSJ manages to block with a facelock. ZSJ wants a cobra twist but Khan gets a toehold.

ZSJ chinbars, Khan shifts and wants to tie up the legs but ZSJ again tries a triangle. Khan shifts, has a half nelson to a mounted armbar but ZSJ rolls and clasps hands. ZSJ wants a toehold but Khan fights with his free leg. They use legs to fight but Khan gets a chinlock. ZSJ bends fingers to pry the hold apart, then tries for a top wristlock. Khan keeps moving but ZSJ almost has an anaconda vice! Khan moves around more, is on his feet and uses that to pop free, and now ZSJ is on the defensive as they stand off! Fans rally up more and once again, the two reset. ZSJ and Khan feel things out, ZSJ gets a leg and trips Khan to a facelock. Khan moves so ZSJ tries an armbar!

Khan moves around, it’s a cover, ONE! ZSJ still tries a clinch, Khan shifts and has ZSJ’s arm for a double wristlock! ZSJ kicks and gets a ropebreak, and fans cheer as Khan lets off cleanly. Khan dares ZSJ to bring it on, but the two take a moment to reset. ZSJ says, “Mada mada mada <I’m not done yet>,” and Khan says the same goes for him. They try again, Khan clinches but ZSJ drags him down with a double wristlock. ZSJ uses legs but Khan rolls. ZSJ rolls with him and has a headscissor on top of the wristlock! Khan fights as fans rally and now Khan has the ropebreak. ZSJ lets off cleanly and fans cheer this technical masterclass.

ZSJ mockingly asks how Khan’s feeling, and then tells the “big boy” to bring it already. Fans cheer as ZSJ says he’s having fun. ZSJ and Khan circle, tie up, and Khan drop toeholds to then have a leglock! ZSJ fights, grabs at the nape of Khan’s neck, but Khan returns the favor! Khan bends ZSJ down and hooks a leg, but ZSJ pops free and gets the ropebreak! The ref counts, Khan lets go at 4, but only with his hands! He keeps a scissor on the leg so ZSJ fights back with a heel hook of his own! Khan gets free and stomps ZSJ’s other leg! Khan paces, taunts ZSJ but ZSJ eggs him on. Khan gives toying kicks and eggs ZSJ on. ZSJ gets up and EuroUppers! Khan shrugs it off so ZSJ throws another!

Fans cheer as Khan lets ZSJ get another shot in. ZSJ EuroUppers, and again, and again, but now ZSJ dares Khan to do it! Khan pats ZSJ on the shoulders, and MONGOLIAN CHOPS him down! Khan asks ZSJ what’s wrong and fans rally up. ZSJ gets up, bumps Khan with his shoulders so Khan bumps back with his chest. Khan Mongolian Chops but ZSJ stays up this time! Khan Mongolian Chops again and down goes ZSJ! Fans fire up as Khan paces, and Khan kicks ZSJ around. ZSJ gets up, wants to uppercut but his arm is bothering him. Khan mockingly applauds for ZSJ and drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ KICKS away on a leg! Wrench and hook up, IRON OCTOPUS!

Khan endures, fights out and wrenches a leg to an ANKLE LOCK! ZSJ uses his free leg for leverage but can’t break free! ZSJ stands and gets an armbar takedown! Khan clasps hands, fights out and has the KNEEBAR! ZSJ gets the other leg for a HEEL HOOK! Khan claws at ZSJ, turns over but ZSJ twists the ankle more! Khan spins around to get the heel hook on ZSJ! But ZSJ gets a ropebreak! Fans cheer as Khan lets go and both men are down from that newest exchange. Khan CLUBS ZSJ, gut wrenches for a dead lift, only for ZSJ to slip around to a SLEEPER! ZSJ has body scissors, too, but Khan breaks that and rolls, but ZSJ holds on!

ZSJ shifts from sleeper to crucifix takedown and cover, TWO! PENALTY KICK! Cover, ONE!! Fans cheer but ZSJ is annoyed as Khan sputters to center. They each shout at each other, ZSJ BOOTS, but Khan just stares him down. ZSJ BOOTS and BOOTS, but Khan gets around to the CLAW SLEEPER! ZSJ pries free, and PELES the arm! ZSJ goes up the corner and leaps, GUILLOTINE! Khan stays standing, pries free and clamps on the IRON CLAW! But not for the slam, but for an IRON CLAW COBRA TWIST! ZSJ endures as he’s being stretched and smothered! ZSJ reaches out but he’s fading! Fans rally, Khan leans all his weight, but ZSJ gets a second wind!

But Khan keeps ZSJ from the ropes and puts him in the KITSUJIGOROSHI! ZSJ endures, gets a third wind, but Khan knees him in the back over and over! ZSJ is turning red, but he refuses to give up! So Khan swings him around to the IRON CLAW SLEEPER, then a BACK2BACK RACK! ZSJ endures as Khan stomps and thrashes and adds pressure! ZSJ refuses to give up so Khan drops him! Khan grows frustrated but he clamps the claw back on! Khan drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ turns Eliminator into TRIANGLE! Khan dead lifts but ZSJ scrambles around to get another IRON OCTOPUS! Then HURRAH, ANOTHER YEAR!! Khan taps, ZSJ wins!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (gains 2 points; Khan earns 0)

And the Submission Master is the only undefeated man in A Block!! And with this win, he has the tiebreaker over Khan! Has ZSJ just taken away another man’s chance at the G1 finals?

Kota Ibushi VS Toru Yano!

The Golden Star is struggling a bit this G1. He, too, benefits some from the Naito points, but he’s still trying to climb back up. Will the Clown Prince only add insult to injury and up near the top of the block?

Toru is out first so his long introduction is finished before Ibushi makes his entrance. Yano again has the ref rush through the check and Ibushi gives Yano the benefit of the doubt. But instead, Ibushi questions the mysterious bag. Yano says it’ s nothing, but we saw just last round that there were handcuffs and rolls of wrist tape in there. Yano shows the ref and then shows Ibushi there’s nothing. And then Yano puts the bag on Ibushi’s head like a blindfold! Yano rolls Ibushi up, TWO! M U! TWO!! Yano throws Ibushi out and he staggers about blindly! Yano pulls the string tight and then wraps Ibushi up in the apron skirt! The ref reprimands then starts a ring count!

Yano finishes wrapping Ibushi and throws him down on the ground. Yano gets in the ring at 6 of 20 while Ibushi squirms and flounders! Ibushi rolls, unwraps himself but we’re already at 15! Ibushi kicks, hops, gets the blindfold off, and is in at 19!! Yano curses his luck and undoes a buckle pad! Ibushi runs in, avoids hitting buckles, then baits Yano in! Yano hits bare buckles and Ibushi dropkicks Yano out! Fans fire up and Ibushi aims, PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Yano! Fans fire up more with Ibushi and Ibushi gets in the ring as the ring count climbs. But Yano grabs Ibushi’s foot! Yano has wrist tape!! And he tapes Ibushi’s feet up!

The count keeps going, we’re at 15 again as Yano keeps binding Ibushi! Ibushi BOOTS Yano away, Yano gets in at 19.5!! Ibushi is surprised and then upset. Yano wants Ibushi to forgive him, and promises he’s not going to try that again. Really? Really really! Okay. But Ibushi still kicks at him! Yano ducks the buzzsaw, waistlocks but Ibushi switches. Yano goes for the low blow but Ibushi dodges it. Ibushi kicks, runs, but Yano atomic drops! Yano runs to CHOP BLOCK! And then a rolling cover, TWO!! Yano swings but Ibushi spins him and has both arms! Ibushi kicks Yano’s legs out, then hits a BLINDSIDE KAMI-GOYE!!

Fans fire up with Ibushi as he gets the wrists again. Ibushi sits Yano up, but Yano drags Ibushi down to a sunset flip! TWO!! BUSAIKU KNEE! Then KAMI-GOYE!! Cover, Ibushi wins!

Winner: Kota Ibushi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yano earns 0)

Yano’s bag of tricks didn’t pull the wool over Ibushi’s eyes, he came out with a fast and impactful win! And to give Yano a taste of his own medicine, he puts the blindfold bag over Yano down then “sneaks” away. Will Ibushi boldly rise back up and make it back to his fourth consecutive G1 finals?

Shingo Takagi VS KENTA!

The Dragon got to face Blue Justice on his bye week, won, and vowed to make Tetsuya Naito his choice to face at WrestleKingdom! But that means winning the entire G1! Will Fang Revived kill Takagi’s hope by dragging him down to 2-2? Or will he chip a tooth off the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion’s iron will?

Takagi and Kenta stare down, and Kenta refuses to back down to his corner. Takagi goes to his, and only as Red Shoes asks does Kenta back off. Fans rally for “TA-KA-GI!” at the bell, but Kenta BOOTS! Takagi stays up, the forearms start flying and fans rally as they go faster and faster! Kenta eggs Takagi on as they keep going, and Takagi ROCKS Kenta! Kenta rebounds to BOOT, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Kenta down! Kenta gets up to mule kick then snapmare Takagi for a KICK to the back. Takagi gets up to shove, so Kenta KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Takagi blocks to scoop and SLAM, then BACK SENTON! Fans rally more as Takagi looms over Kenta.

Takagi sits Kenta up to drive elbows into the good shoulder. Takagi then runs but slides into an omoplata! Kenta gets GAME OVER already! The crossface is on but fans rally as Takagi endures! Takagi moves around, reaches out, and gets a ropebreak with a foot. Kenta lets go of the crossface but takes his time with the omoplata. Takagi clutches that arm, the one ZSJ worked over a few rounds ago, and bails out. Kenta goes out and KICKS the bad arm, but Takagi CHOPS! Kenta KICKS again, then POSTS Takagi, bad arm first. Kenta KICKS, Takagi throws boxing elbows! Kenta eggs him on, Takagi hits harder but Kenta gets the bad arm and wraps it around railing, then BOOTS it!

Takagi clutches his arm as he sits down but Kenta comes back to drag him up. The ring count climbs but Kenta puts Takagi in at 5 of 20. Kenta stomps the bad arm against the ropes then drags Takagi up. Kenta puts Takagi in a corner and wraps the arm around ropes! Red Shoes reprimands, Kenta lets off to KICK the bad arm more! Takagi throws elbows but the arm is too weak. Kenta drags Takagi down for a FUJIWARA! Takagi endures and fans rally up as he scoots around again. Takagi reaches out for another ropebreak! Kenta lets off with one hand but still has the arm trapped as he pushes back! Red Shoes reprimands and Kenta lets off.

Fans rally for Takagi but Kenta starts his own clap rhythm. Kenta trolls the fans again by making the rhythm hard to understand, then he KICKS Takagi. Takagi rushes Kenta but Kenta holds him off and KNEES the bad arm. Kenta drags Takagi up, wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER, then unties the blue corner’s buckle pad! Bullet Club’s favorite strategy comes into play already! Kenta KICKS Takagi, but Takagi ELBOWS him back. Kenta wrenches the arm to another ELBOW BREAKER! Kenta whips Takagi into the bare buckles! Fans rally while Takagi is down, Kenta looms over him and stands on the bad arm. Kenta YANKS it back, then drops knees on it.

Takagi endures as Kenta digs his knee in, then drops the knee again. And again! Kenta pulls the arm against his knee but Takagi clasps hands and gets another ropebreak. Kenta lets off but then stands Takagi up to wrench. ELBOW BREAKER, then he wrenches again. ELBOW BREAKER again, then another wrench. Takagi blocks the Elbow Breaker with a sleeper! But Kenta RAMS Takagi into the bare buckles! Kenta runs, but into ELBOW! JAB! Oh but the bad arm! YUKON FEINT to the DDT! Fans fire up as both men are down! Takagi shakes out his bad arm, stands Kenta back up, and bumps him off padded buckles. Takagi throws forearms then CHOPS, despite the pain in his arm.

Kenta kicks but Takagi wrenches him and whips corner to corner. Takagi runs in but into a boot! Kenta goes up, but Takagi disrupts the tornado! Takagi runs but Kenta boots his clothesline, so Takagi hits a YUKON DISCUS! Takagi gets Kenta up as fans fire up, and Takagi manages a high and hard suplex! Takagi sits Kenta up, runs and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Takagi fires himself up, kicks at Kenta, pump handles but Kenta resists the lift. Kenta wrenches out, wants the bad arm but Takagi shoves him away. But Kenta BOOTS him from the corner, reels Takagi in and TORNADO HOTSHOTS!

Takagi falls into the drop zone, Kenta climbs up, but Takagi gets back up, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans still rally for “TA-KA-GI!” but Kenta spins him around for a DDT! Cover, TWO! Kenta is annoyed but he kicks Takagi while he’s down. And kicks and kicks, and has Takagi on the apron. Kenta stomps Takagi on the apron, then drags him up through the ropes. Takagi fights with short shoulder rams, then hip tosses Kenta to the apron! Takagi drags Kenta up but they brawl on the apron edge. Fans rally as Takagi throws headbutt after headbutt! Takagi fires up and fans join in. Takagi fireman’s carries but Kenta fights and gets to a corner! Kenta HOTSHOTS Takagi’s arm on the crossbar!

Both men are down on the outside and Red Shoes starts a ring count. Fans rally up as Kenta and Takagi stir. Kenta is up and in at 7 of 20 but Takagi drags himself up the railing. Kenta goes out at 10 to go after Takagi. Kenta CLUBS the bad arm, but Takagi RAMS him into the apron! Takagi brings Kenta around but Kenta knees him then puts him on the apron! DRAPING DDT to the floor! Both men are down from the #BrainKiller, but fans rally up as Red Shoes checks them both. Kenta sits up as the ring count starts again, and he drags himself in at 6 of 20. Takagi is still down at 10 of 20, starts getting up at 13, and fans rally as he slides in at 16! Kenta runs corner to corner to JUMP KICK!

Kenta keeps going, HESITATION DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Kenta goes up top. Takagi is in the drop zone, DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives the coup de grace but Kenta slashes his throat. But Takagi blocks the fireman’s carry, so Kenta KICKS the bad arm and KNEES Takagi down! Kenta drags Takagi back up, fireman’s carry and GO TO- NO! Takagi blocks, powers Kenta up for a SNAP DEATH VALLEY! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Takagi hears the time announcement and gets Kenta up to throw forearms. Kenta throws them back and fans rally as they keep going back and forth, harder and harder!

Kenta LARIATS but Takagi stays up! Takagi fires boxing elbows all the way 9, but Kenta COUNTER PALM STRIKES again and again and again and again! Kenta fires up but Takagi HEADBUTTS! URAKEN from Kenta! Both men drop and fans fire up! Kenta fires himself up, sits Takagi up and PENALTY- NO! Takagi blocks so Kenta throws hands. Takagi catches him for MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Kenta survives but fans are thunderous for “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi himself fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” and fans join in. Takagi drags Kenta up, throws forearm after forearm on Kenta, then wants the fans to get loud. Fans do get loud and Takagi goes corner to corner, but fakes Kenta out to SLAP him!

Takagi fires up again and he stands Kenta up. Takagi hoists Kenta to the top rope, climbs up to join him and hits a SUPERPLEX! Fans fire up as both men are down! Kenta ends up in the opposite corner but Takagi headbutts the mat to fire himself back up. Takagi gets his bad arm moving and he runs in, into a boot! Takagi just runs back, but Kenta puts Red Shoes in his place! Down goes Red Shoes but Takagi goes after Kenta. LOW BLOW and ARMBAR DDT! Kenta goes looking under the ring, and goes deep underneath to find some chairs! Kenta mocks Takagi’s “Here it comes!” as he puts a chair on Takagi’s bad arm! CON-CHAIR-TO to the arm!! And then an ENCORE!!

Takagi writhes as Kenta gets away with all this. Kenta looks for Red Shoes but where’d he go? Oh there he is. Kenta tells Red Shoes to stop napping on the job. Kenta gets Red Shoes back in the ring, slaps him around and then puts Takagi in GAME OVER!! Takagi endures, fans rally behind him, but Kenta pulls way back! Takagi kicks, powers up, but Kenta pulls even further! Kenta loses his grip for a moment but gets it back! Takagi refuses to give up and grabs at Red Shoes! Takagi moves back, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer as Takagi survives and Kenta lets go in frustration! Kenta crawls away to the far side while Takagi growls and gets back up.

Kenta runs in to KNEE Takagi in the back! Takagi staggers, Kenta runs, into a PUMPING BOMBER! Both men are down but the fans are thunderous as Takagi rises! Takagi roars, drags Kenta up, but Kenta fireman’s carries! But Takagi slips off, DRAGON SUPLEX! SLIDING FOREARM! Kenta is dazed and Takagi tears off the elbow tape! Takagi runs and PUMPING BOMBERS!! Cover, TWO!?! Kenta survives and fans are fired up! Takagi headbutts his arm into working, and roars to get past the pain! Takagi wants the fans to get louder and they do as he pump handles and torture racks, but Kenta fights out! Kenta whips but Takagi reverses, Kenta gets bare buckles!

Takagi gets Kenta up, LAST OF THE DRAGON!! Cover, Takagi wins!!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kenta earns 0)

The Dragon outlasts the Fang Revived and has G1 redemption! But Kenta still has a chance, will he take a bite out of someone else’s G1 run?

As for Takagi, he sets the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship belt down so it can sit up while he gets the mic. “Here I am! If you count the forfeited match, that’s three wins and one loss. I still have a shot at the finals, don’t I?” And next up, October 3rd, Takagi VS Ibushi! They were supposed to fight for the world title “just next door” at the Tokyo Dome, but it just couldn’t happen. But it’s been a year since they’ve faced off, so Takagi looks forward to it! “But watching Ibushi recently, the things he says and does, it doesn’t seem like enough.” Honestly, it isn’t that exciting to face him now.

Takagi wants Ibushi to know, he isn’t part of some rehab plan! He’s just interested in getting another win and going to the finals! “Listen up. This G1, or rather this hellish autumn, this hellish G1, is FAR from over! This rampaging dragon will continue to soar to the top!” Mic drop and flex, but will Takagi prove he would’ve won at WrestleKingdom 15? Or will it be Ibushi who shines in the G1’s halfway point?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Zack Sabre Jr: 4-0, 8 points
Great-O-Khan: 4-1, 8 points
Shingo Takagi: 3-1, 6 points
Kota Ibushi: 3-2, 6 points
Toru Yano: 3-2, 6 points
Kenta: 3-2, 6 points
Yujiro Takahashi: 2-2, 4 points [won special singles bye]
Tomohiro Ishii: 2-3, 4 points
Tanga Loa: 1-3, 2 points

My Thoughts:

Another great round for the G1 and NJPW! A shorter show than usual and it went quick with skipping Yujiro beating Bushi. Ishii VS Loa was a solid opener, both guys are good at the sturdy hoss style. It was a big move for Ishii to be the first NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Champion to win. And with Goto facing Okada and Hashi facing Taichi, I think he’ll be the only one with a win for the fourth round. ZSJ VS Khan was an awesome match to take things to the intermission, and it is definitely big for ZSJ to win and stay the one undefeated man in the block. He is definitely going to be a top choice out of this block, but he also got a win over Takagi so he could cash in his chance at Power Struggle.

Ibushi VS Yano was a lot of fun for going so frantically fast, but it definitely speaks to Ibushi’s DDT Pro origins of just goofing around for a bit. Ibushi of course wins, though, and he’s going strong into his match with Takagi, which he definitely needs. And of course, we got a great main event out of Takagi VS Kenta. Naturally, Takagi wins to keep his losses at one, and his match with Ibushi next round is going to tell a lot about A Block. I would think Takagi wins, as Ibushi’s roller coaster ride is a great story for him and it keeps Takagi’s chances of being a historic world champion going into the G1 finals alive.

My Score: 9/10