Will the Dominator slay the Dragon?

Great-O-Khan may be out of the G1 Climax running, but he can still earn a title match with a win over THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will the United Empire still have a way to conquer NJPW?

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 Yujiro Takahashi w/ Pieter; Ishii wins.
• KENTA VS Tanga Loa w/ Jado; Kenta wins.
• Toru Yano VS Zack Sabre Jr; ZSJ wins.
• Shingo Takagi VS Great-O-Khan; Takagi wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Kota Ibushi: 6-2, 12 points [won special singles bye]
Kenta: 5-2, 10 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 5-2, 10 points
Shingo Takagi: 5-2, 10 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 4-3, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Toru Yano: 4-3, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Great-O-Khan: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Tanga Loa: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Yujiro Takahashi: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

Tomohiro Ishii VS Yujiro Takahashi w/ Pieter!

The Stone Pitbull and the Tokyo Pimp are mathematically eliminated from taking the block, but they still have their pride! Will Ishii take a bite out of Yujiro? Or will the House of Torture earn a shot at the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles through this match?

The second Ishii is in the ring, Yujiro attacks! Yujiro whips, Ishii reverses but Yujiro runs him over! The bell rings to get this on record as Yujiro stomps and kicks Ishii out of the ring. Fans rally for “I-SHI-I!” as Yujiro whips him hard into railing! Yujiro drags Ishii up, knees him low, then whips him the other way, only for Ishii to reverse! Yujiro hits railing and falls to the floor! Ishii stalks Yujiro around the way but Pieter sneaks the cane to Yujiro. Yujiro JAMS Ishii in the ribs, then Pieter distracts the ref as Yujiro throws Ishii into more railing. Yujiro gets space and Pieter keeps the ref distracted as a CANE SHOT takes Ishii down!

Fans rally as Yujiro puts the cane away. He puts Ishii in the ring, covers, ONE! Yujiro is annoyed but he drags Ishii up. Yujiro bumps Ishii off buckles then stomps him. Yujiro CHOPS but Ishii snarls, so Yujiro CHOPS again. Yujiro CHOPS and CHOPS but Ishii CHOPS back. Yujiro eggs Ishii on so Ishii CHOPS again. Yujiro back elbows Ishii down! Then he backs up to run in and BOOT! Yujiro pushes Ishii down, covers, TWO! Fans rally, Yujiro drops a leg, an elbow and a headbutt! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Yujiro paces around. Yujiro drags Ishii up, reels him in and back suplexes! Cover, TWO! Yujiro is annoyed but he kicks Ishii around.

Yujiro stands Ishii up to snapmare him down, then runs to basement BOOT! But Ishii stays up? Yujiro runs again and basement BOOTS! Ishii keeps himself up win an arm, but Yujiro runs to BOOT that arm! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Yujiro is further annoyed. Yujiro sits Ishii up but Ishii headbutts low. Yujiro throws a forearm, then another, and Ishii wobbles. Yujiro fires more but Ishii eggs him on. Yujiro fires forearm after forearm, eggs Ishii on then rakes his eyes! Yujiro whips Ishii to a corner, but Ishii comes back to run him over! Fans rally up, Ishii CHOPS Yujiro against ropes. And again! And again! And again! Ishii makes sure Yujiro stays standing so he can CHOP more!

The ref reprimands but Ishii CHOPS then whips. Yujiro holds ropes, Ishii runs in, FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Yujiro runs but into Ishii’s POWERSLAM! Fans rally up while both men are down! Ishii gets up first, stands Yujiro up, but Yujiro throws elbows to get out of the waistlock. Ishii swings but Yujiro gets around, ducks as Ishii swings again, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Ishii clutches his head while fans rally up. Yujiro stands Ishii up against ropes, backs up and runs in to BOOT! Ishii staggers, Yujiro runs and BOOTS him again! Ishii roars and throws a forearm! Yujiro blocks Ishii’s kick, throws him down then runs, but Ishii avoids the basement dropkick!

Yujiro kicks low then reels Ishii in, but Ishii fights off the fisherman! Ishii suplexes Yujiro up and over! Fans fire up as both men are down again. Yujiro gets to a corner, Ishii runs in and clotheslines! Ishii hoists Yujiro up top, climbs up to join him, then brings Yujiro up for a STALLING SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! Yujiro survives and fans fire up again! Fans continue to rally, “I-SHI-I! I-SHI-I!” as he brings Yujiro up. Ishii reels him in but Yujiro BITES Ishii’s hand! And bites harder! Ishii powers up and withstands the biting, but Yujiro bites harder! The ref reprimands, Yujiro stops and throws forearms.

Ishii ROCKS Yujiro back, reels him in, but Yujiro powers up to an Alabama lift! Ishii kicks and gets back to his feet, but Yujiro slips out of the bomb to spin Ishii around to a DDT! Fans rally up as Yujiro crawls over to the ropes. Yujiro stands up and hobbles back to Ishii. Yujiro drags Ishii up, reels him in, but Ishii fights the lift with elbows. Yujiro throws forearm after forearm but Ishii fires up and fires forearms back! Yujiro fires up, Ishii throws boxing elbows, then runs, but Yujiro reels him in, INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Ishii survives and Yujiro grows frustrated. Fans rally but Yujiro stands Ishii up. Yujiro fireman’s carry but Ishii slips off!

Ishii dodges the boot, he blocks a clothesline but so does Yujiro. Ishii ENZIGURIS but Yujiro blocks! Yujiro runs, but Ishii dodges, only for Yujiro to LARIAT! Yujiro brings Ishii up and around, BUCKLE BOMB! It wasn’t the cleanest, either, but Yujiro drags Ishii up to fireman’s carry! MIAMI SHINE! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives again and fans fire up! Yujiro drags Ishii back up, reels him in, but no Pimp Juice! Ishii blocks the kick, waitslocks, but Yujiro elbows out, only to turn around into a SAIDO! Fans fire up while both men are down. Yujiro and Ishii slowly rise, Yujiro fires forearms but Ishii headbutts! Yujiro boots, and BOOTS, but Ishii ENZIGURIS!

Both men are down again but fans rally back up. Ishii stands up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Yujiro is still in this, but Ishii runs to LARIAT him back down! Ishii drags Yujiro up and suplexes, but Yujiro slips out to steal the BRAINBUSTER! Then PIMP JUICE!! Cover, TWO?!? Ishii survives and the fans fire up! Yujiro gets up and roars, then he brings Ishii up. But Ishii blocks Big Juice and back drops Yujiro away! Yujiro is right back up but Ishii blocks the boot. Yujiro forearms, but then swings into a spin! Ishii suplexes, Yujiro fights out, wrench and LARIAT! Fans fire up as Yujiro gets Ishii back up, for BIG- NO! Ishii wrenches out to RUNNING HEADBUTT!

Both men are down again but fans rally up. Yujiro flounders but Ishii roars. Ishii runs but into a boot and a SLAP! Yujiro drags Ishii back up for BIG- NO, Ishii gets around to SNAP GERMAN! But Yujiro stands?! Yujiro roars, headbutts the buckles, and runs, into Ishii’s LARIAT!! Cover, TWO?!! Ishii can’t believe Yujiro survives but he gets him right back up! Suplex to BRAINBUSTER! Cover, Ishii wins!

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

The Stone Pitbull hit harder than the Tokyo Pimp could take, and he is still on the bottom! Will Ishii finish strong to the last round?

KENTA VS Tanga Loa w/ Jado!

Once more, it is Bullet Club VS Bullet Club! Fang Revived still has life in the G1, but will the Silverback spoil that for him? Or will Loa do Kenta a solid since he’s out of the running anyway?

Being Bullet Club, they all Low Sweet, and fans cheer. The bell rings and this is a straight up match as the two circle. Kenta gets fans on his rhythm, then ties up with Loa. Loa shoves Kenta down and Kenta gets to the ropes. Kenta’s a bit surprised but Loa says it’s all cool. They circle, Kenta gets fans clapping again, and they tie up again. Loa shoves Kenta down again and Kenta gets to the corner. Loa assures Kenta, it’s all out of respect. They circle again, Kenta gives a sharp kick, but Loa walks it off. The two feel out the grapple, Kenta kicks again and Jado gets upset but Loa still walks it off. Loa and Kenta circle, feel things out, and Kenta kicks and kicks and kicks!

Kenta headlocks, Loa powers out then runs Kenta over! Kenta bails out as fans cheer and Loa waits on him. Fans rally, Kenta catches his breath on the outside and Loa lets him have space. Kenta slides in, only to roll right back out. Jado protests but Kenta dares Loa to come out after him. Loa does go out but then Kenta gets back in. Loa laughs off Kenta trolling him. Now Kenta wants Loa to get in. Loa does, and so Kenta goes back out. The trolling continues but Loa keeps his cool. Loa goes out again but Kenta gets back in. Loa sighs but he slides back in, and Jado blocks Kenta’s escape route! Fans fire up as Kenta backs up into Loa’s kick!

Loa CLUBS Kenta down, Kenta throws body shots but Loa CLUBS him then throws him out. Now Loa gives Kenta his fight outside as he RAMS Kenta into railing! But Kenta RAMS Loa into the apron! Kenta whips but Loa reverses, Kenta goes into more railing! Kenta hobbles around the way, Loa follows, and Loa throws haymakers to keep Kenta going. Loa bumps Kenta off apron, kicks him against railing but Kenta kicks back. Loa throws body shots, CLUBS Kenta down, then throws more forearms. The ring count begins, Loa throws more forearms, then CLUBS Kenta before giving him an APRON BACK SUPLEX at 10 of 20!

Kenta flops back down and Loa says this is what Kenta wanted. The count is 15, Loa puts Kenta in at 16. Fans cheer, and Loa hits a slingshot senton! Cover, TWO! Loa keeps cool as he pushes Kenta around. Kenta throws slapping shots but Loa grins and SLAPS back. Kenta gets to a corner, Loa stomps him down. Loa drags Kenta up, brings him around and scoops to SLAM! Cover, TWO! Loa wraps on a chinlock and grinds Kenta down. Kenta endures, Loa brings Kenta to the mat and fans rally up. Kenta fights up, throws body shots, then runs but into a BOOT! Loa STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Loa keeps on Kenta with a half nelson, that he turns into the OG KILLER!

Kenta endures the crossface and he crawls around, reaching for ropes. Loa asks if Kenta is giving up and Kenta says no, so Loa pulls back harder! Kenta reaches but Loa elbows that arm down, then rolls Kenta away from ropes! Loa cranks on the crossface but Kenta scoots backwards to the ROPEBREAK! The ref points it out and Loa lets go slowly. Loa then stomps Kenta down! Loa puts Kenta on the ropes, chokes him with them, then lets off as the ref counts. Loa pie faces Kenta but Kenta eggs him on so Loa kicks him. Fans rally and Loa CLUBS Kenta. Loa grins as he brings Kenta up to suplex. Kenta slips out, gets to a corner and boots Loa back.

Loa returns but into more BOOTS! Kenta goes up, reels Loa in and TORNADO HOTSHOTS! Kenta goes back up to FLYING CLOTHESLINE! Cover, TWO! Kenta is annoyed but Jado and the fans applaud. Kenta drags Loa up but Loa fights the fisherman. Loa throws body shots, CLUBS Kenta, but Kenta BOOTS back. Loa growls, and blocks Kenta’s powerslam! Loa CLUBS free, Kenta ducks and dodges to BOOT again. Now he gets the POWERSLAM! Fans rally up as Kenta stands back up. Kenta waits for Loa to sit up, and Kenta KICKS him in the chest. Loa sits up and nods, but Kenta KICKS him again. Jado coaches Loa and Loa eggs Kenta on. Kenta KICKS again, and again, and again!

Loa fires up off the kicks, kicks back, throws knees and an ENZIGURI! Fans fire up with Loa as he keeps Kenta from escaping. Loa reels him in for a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Kenta’s still in this but Loa still smiles. Loa drags Kenta up, scoops him, but Kenta slips out of Ape Shit to bail out of the ring. Loa goes out after him and CLUBS Kenta around the way. Loa scoops Kenta to hit SNAKE EYES off the railing! The ref wants this back in the ring but Loa says this fight is outside now. Loa digs his boot into Kenta’s neck but lets off as the ring count starts. Loa paces, grinds Kenta’s fingers into the floor, but lets off as the count is 10 of 20.

Loa stands Kenta up to RAM him into railing, wants the ref to hold on, and he puts Kenta in at 15. Fans cheer as this continues in the ring, but Kenta KICKS Loa while he’s in the ropes! And again! Kenta goes to the corner, GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP! Then the BRAINKILLER! Both men are down after the draping DDT and fans rally up again. Kenta watches Loa, slides back to a corner, then runs corner to corner to BOOT! Kenta keeps moving but Loa follows to clothesline! Loa whips, Kenta forearms back! Kenta sobats, runs in and BOOTS again! Loa sits down, Kenta goes corner to corner for the HESITATION DROPKICK!

Fans fire up and Kenta goes to the top rope. DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Loa survives the coup de grace but Kenta keeps his focus. Kenta slashes his throat and fans fire up as he fireman’s carries. Loa blocks, elbows Kenta over and over, but Kenta throws a forearm! Loa throws the forearm back, so Kenta gives another. Jado coaches Loa, Loa smacks himself then fires another forearm! Kenta gives a forearm, Loa gives a forearm, and fans rally up! Kenta BOOTS, LARIATS, and URAKENS! And URAKENS! And DISCUS- EXPLODER! Loa fires up and the fans are behind him! Kenta slowly rises, Loa runs in, but Kenta sends Loa at he ref!

Loa stops himself short, but then Kenta CLOBBERS Loa into the ref! Everyone goes down and Loa checks on the ref. Loa goes after Kenta. Loa says Kenta’s been a b*tch this entire night, but Kenta LOW BLOWS Loa! Kenta “apologizes” to Loa for that one, but Jado says that’s BS! Jado gets on the apron and Kenta defends himself. Jado steps in and Kenta kicks the ropes! Jado goes down, Kenta gest the kendo stick! Kenta “apologizes” for what’s about to happen, but then the ref gets up. Kenta plays dead! The ref sees Jado and thinks he has something to do with it so he gets Jado towards the ropes. Kenta gets the kendo stick and runs at Loa, but into a LOW BLOW!!

Loa gets Kenta up, reels him in and says this is it! But Kenta RANAS, only for Loa to block! Kenta throws down hands, gets free but Loa blocks the cradle! Loa scoops Kenta for APE- NO, Kenta sends Loa into buckles! Roll up with the ropes! Kenta wins!!

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

The ref completely misses Kenta stealing this one from Loa! Loa oddly does applaud Kenta’s savvy, and then he gets Jado and Kenta to Low Sweet. Bullet Club continues to be rather dysfunctional, but is the faction still going to stay united through it all?

Toru Yano VS Zack Sabre Jr!

The Clown Prince of Chaos may not be able to take his KOPW 2021 trophy to the G1 finals, but he could ruin things for the Submission Master! Will Yano play spoiler or be made to #JustTapOut?

ZSJ attacks Yano during his long entrance! The bell rings to have this on record, Yano gets the ropebreak but ZSJ lets off, only to get Yano back in the SLEEPER! Cobra twist takedown, TWO! Yano comes back, M U! TWO!! ZSJ headlocks, Yano powers out but ZSJ goes around to get Yano in the cobra twist! Then the takedown to the cover, TWO!! Yano narrowly escapes and then gets out of the ring to finally get ready. ZSJ tells Yano to get in the ring but Yano says only if ZSJ agrees to keep this to wrestling. Fans cheer and rally behind Yano as ZSJ tells Yano to get in the ring. Yano waits but ZSJ goes out after him! Yano gets in the ring and now ZSJ wants Yano to come outside.

Yano and ZSJ argue back and forth, Yano wants wrestling! ZSJ tells him to shut up, then he gets in. Yano shoot sin, ZSJ switches, Yano switches, ZSJ scrambles and Yano gets away. The two circle as fans cheer, ZSJ kicks low then throws EuroUppers. ZSJ runs but Yano pulls hair, only for ZSJ to swing on him. Yano dodges to Belly2Belly! Fans rally and ZSJ bails out, so Yano goes out after him! Yano brings ZSJ up and carries him up the ramp! Yano goes through the curtain to gorilla position! What’s going on back there? We hear a lot of clattering but the cameras stay ringside as the ring count starts. Yano comes running back out of the curtain, but what happened to ZSJ?

As the count reaches 10 of 20, ZSJ staggers out with a blindfold bag on his head! Where was Yano keeping that? ZSJ snatches it off at 15 and runs into the ring at 17! But Yano has a CROSS ARMBREAKER!! ZSJ turns that around to his own CROSS ARMBREAKER! Yano scrambles and gets the ropebreak! ZSJ lets Yano go but kicks him out of the ring. Fans rally up, “Z S J!” “Y T R!” as ZSJ wraps Yano’s arm around railing and pulls. Yano rakes ZSJ’s eyes! Yano scrambles away, to go under the ring! He did this to Yujiro last time, but ZSJ drags Yano back out with an ANKLE LOCK! Yano can only endure on the outside, but he rolls to send ZSJ into the apron! Yano has handcuffs!

Yano cuffs one of ZSJ’s hands, the ref reprimands but Yano drags ZSJ to railing. ZSJ rakes eyes, and he cuffs himself to Yano! Now where one goes, the other goes! They kick each other, throw forearms, but the ring count is climbing! ZSJ wrenches at 10 of 20 for a top wristlock. Yano kicks and the count is 15! Yano rakes eyes, the count is 18! They both run in at 19!! Then they fire off more forearms! ZSJ wrenches to a backslide but Yano fights that to a fireman’s carry takedown! TWO, ZSJ has a cradle, TWO! Yano has the cover back, TWO! Yano fights the backslide, ZSJ jumps to get a TRIANGLE HOLD! Yano gets the key for the cuffs out of his boot!

Yano fights up, goes to use the key, but ZSJ shifts to a CROSS ARMBREAKER! Yano taps, ZSJ wins!!

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

Yano suffers more as ZSJ keeps on the hold. ZSJ then gets the key to undo the cuffs and free them both. The Submission Master is just one match away, will he earn himself the A Block spot in the finals?

Shingo Takagi VS Great-O-Khan!

The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion wants to make history by going to the finals, but he’s still on the bubble! Will the Dominator pop that bubble and drag the Dragon down to Earth? Or will Takagi be roaring towards the top of the block?

Khan does not move from center as Takagi makes his entrance. Red Shoes does his check, Takagi puts his jacket and world title belt aside, and the bell rings. Fans rally as Takagi and Khan stare down. Takagi shoves Khan and eggs him on. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and Khan manages to power Takagi to ropes. Takagi turns things around but Khan turns it back around, and he lets off clean, then kicks low! Khan headlocks and grinds, Takagi fights up and squeezes back with a bearhug. Takagi body shots, powers out and drop toeholds to get a headlock of his own. Fans cheer, Khan fights up, but Takagi grinds the hold. Khan pulls hair then gets the headlock back!

Takagi powers up and out and pulls Khan’s hair in return! Takagi headlocks, Khan powers out but Takagi rams shoulders. The two stare down and fans fire up. Khan eggs Takagi on, he runs and they ram shoulders again! Takagi almost bounces off but then he eggs Khan on. Khan runs, Takagi drops but Khan rams him, only for Takagi to rebound and run Khan over! Fans fire up for “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!” as he drops elbow after elbow. Then the BACK SENTON! Cover, TWO, but Takagi has the chinlock. Takagi grinds Khan down, Khan fights up as fans rally, but Takagi puts Khan in a corner. Takagi lets off, to then RAM his shoulder in! And again! And again!

Takagi lets off and fans applaud as Takagi CLUBS Khan down. Takagi drags Khan up, reels him in, but Khan elbows the back suplex away. Khan runs but into an elbow! Takagi runs but Khan goes the other way to run Takagi over! Takagi bails out, Khan catches his breath and waits on him. Takagi catches his breath on the outside, and the rib tape shows that is probably tougher than usual. Khan eggs Takagi on but Takagi tells him to just wait. Takagi goes around the way so Khan strikes a pose. Takagi gets in, Khan rushes in, but Takagi grabs at his legs! Khan uses the iron claw to drag Takagi up to the apron! Red Shoes reprimands because of the ropes, and Khan lets go, to BOOT Takagi down!

Takagi crashes into the railing! Khan goes out to stomp Takagi down. Khan drags Takagi up to whip into railing! Takagi leans against railing but Khan CLUBS him. Takagi throws forearms in return, until Khan RAMS Takagi into railing! The ring count is 7 of 20, Khan goes in. Takagi slowly gets up as fans rally and stands at 15. Takagi takes a moment then gets in at 17. Khan digs his boots into Takagi and gives him some Bad Vibrations. Red Shoes counts, Khan lets off and brings Takagi up. Khan snapmares to a chinlock, and digs his knee into Takagi’s back. Fans rally up as Takagi endures but Khan shifts to a sleeper! Khan grinds Takagi to the mat but Takagi keeps fighting.

Takagi reaches out, ropebreak with a foot! Khan lets off to kneel on Takagi’s head. Red Shoes reprimands, Khan lets off and Takagi gets up. Khan wrenches an arm, whips Takagi into a corner hard, then bumps Takagi off buckles. Khan CLUBS Takagi, then hops up to sit on Takagi’s head! Fans cheer as Khan wiggles around then hops off. Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS! But Khan stays on his feet!? Khan pulls hair, Takagi slaps his hand away. Takagi CHOPS, Khan CHOPS back! Takagi laughs and CHOPS again! Khan CHOPS, Takagi CHOPS, and fans rally up! Khan eggs Takagi on so Takagi CHOPS again. CHOP after CHOP after CHOP!

Khan CHOPS and CHOPS but Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! And again! And then Takagi blocks to steal the Mongolian Chops! And again! Fans fire up, Takagi fakes Khan out to JAB, and YUKON feint to a DDT! Both men are down and fans fire up! Takagi drags Khan up, whips him to ropes, then KNEES him low. Takagi runs to run Khan over! Fans fire up and Takagi encourages them to get louder. Takagi then sees Khan in the corner and runs in, but he blocks the boot! And clotheslines through! Takagi fires up more and he brings Khan in for a suplex. Khan blocks, tries to suplex back, but Takagi fights that! Takagi suplexes Khan up and over! Cover, TWO!

Takagi gets fans rallying again as Khan crawls. Takagi stands on Khan’s head, stomps him down, then gets fans rallying even louder. Takagi sits Khan up to drive elbow after elbow into Khan’s shoulders. Then he runs, to SLIDING- NO! Khan catches him for the KATAGATAMI! Khan thrashes Takagi around but Takagi elbows free. Takagi runs into a HIP TOSS! Fans rally up harder again as Khan crawls over to Takagi. Khan stands him up for forearms in the corner, then whips him corner to corner and a clothesline from behind! Khan puts Takagi up top, and MONGOLIAN CHOPS him into the Tree of Woe! Khan slaps Takagi around, digs his boots in, and talks trash.

Red Shoes reprimands as Khan mockingly asks what’s wrong. Khan goes to the corner, three point stance and SLIDING BOOT! Takagi flops out of the Tree and Khan drags him to a cover, TWO! Khan mockingly asks what’s wrong again, and then he clamps onto Takagi. He wants Takagi to kiss his boot! Takagi’s face is pressed into the leather and laces! Khan applauds and then mockingly kicks at Takagi. Takagi gets up and Khan slap shim around. Takagi shoves Khan to a corner then fires of JABS and CHOPS over and over! JAB! JAB! HOOK! HOOK! Khan and Takagi go forehead to forehead, then Khan throws a forearm!

Khan eggs Takagi on so Takagi gives him a forearm back! Khan forearms, Takagi forearms, faster and faster and faster! Takagi gets boxing elbows, but Khan THROAT STABS and DECKS Takagi with a forearm!! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Khan crawls to ropes, fans rally up and he fires up. Takagi stands, Khan mocks Takagi and runs, but into Khan’s LARIAT and SAIDO! But Khan’s right up to BOOT! But Takagi’s right up to PUMPING BOMBER! But Khan’s back up to SAIDO! Takagi gets up again!? SLIDING LARIAT!! Fans are thunderous for that exchange! Takagi and Khan stir, and Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!”

Takagi stands as fans clap along. Takagi gets Khan up, reels him into the pump handle but Khan fights the lift! Khan elbows at the arm but Takagi tries the Gory Especial! Khan fights that off and backs Takagi into buckles! Takagi clutches his ribs, but he comes back, only for Khan to get around, BEARHUG! Takagi elbows free but Khan RAMS him into the corner again! Fans rally again as Khan drags Takagi up. Khan hangs Takagi out to dry and Takagi flops right off the ropes! Takagi clutches the bad ribs and Red Shoes checks. Fans rally again but Khan covers, TWO! Khan gets frustrated and he brings Takagi back up. KITSUJIGOROSHI!

Takagi endures as Khan thrashes him around in the standing crossface! Fans rally up hard as ever, Khan scoops Takagi for a BACKBREAKER! And the KITSUJIGOROSHI RACK! Takagi endures being bent on Khan’s knee but he’s fading! Khan scoops Takagi again, to POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up again and Khan prepares the iron claw again. Khan clamps onto Takagi, drags him up, but Takagi fights the claw! Takagi clubs away at the arm, Khan still reels him in, but Takagi gets an armbar takedown! Khan flails, and he SLAMS Takagi off the armbar! Khan drags Takagi up but Takagi headbutts the arm! Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER! But Khan stays up!

POINT-BLANK PUMPING! Khan roars but Takagi CLUBS his arm! Takagi runs but has to block a boot! He catches Khan’s arms, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Khan survives but fans are thunderous again! Takagi and Khan slowly rise, and Takagi drags Khan up by his ponytail. But Khan suplexes to a GOURD BUSTER! Both men are down again as Takagi clutches his ribs! Fans rally and Takagi headbutts the mat to fire himself up. Takagi and Khan growl at each other and start throwing forearms on their knees! Takagi gets the edge, brings Khan up, but Khan HEADBUTTS the ribs! Khan fires off forearms, but Takagi gives boxing elbows in return!

Khan roars, Takagi JABS him! Khan STRAIGHT IRON FISTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS! Khan roars and runs in, into the YUKON LARIAT!! Both men are down again and fans are still thunderous! Maybe even electric! Takagi gets Khan up, pump handles and torture racks, but Khan slips off to an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Then he spins Takagi for the ELI- NO! Takagi slips out, dodges, Khan dodges, Khan LARIATS Takagi down!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi is still in this and fans are loving it! Khan is furious, though, and he drags Takagi back up. Khan clamps on the claw, ELIMIN- NO! Takagi slips out to a DRAGON SUPLEX! SLIDING FOREARM!!

Khan roars to his feet, Takagi runs to PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!? Khan survives and he staggers about in a daze before he flops back down! Takagi tears the rib tape away, drags Khan back up and pump handles, torture racks, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!! Cover, Takagi wins!!

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

The Dragon refused to be slain, and now Khan’s G1 is truly done! The Dominator has his special singles bye in the ninth, will he have better luck in the next climax?

As for Takagi, he gets on the mic, but still needs a few moments to catch his breath. “Battered and bruised? Of course! This is the G1! This is pro-wrestling! Pro-wrestling is about showing what you’re made of.” Fans cheer that sentiment. And with this, Takagi is 6-2, for 12 points! “I’m finally at the top of the block! I said I wouldn’t quit as long as there was a chance. You never know what’s gonna happen until the very end.” Last time in Miyagi, Takagi lost in the New Japan Cup Finals. This wasn’t exactly revenge but it was great to win!

Now, he hates that he has to rely on other people’s scores, but it is what it is. “I’ll be fighting for myself, to the very end of this G1, as your World Heavyweight Championship! And that’s all I have to say about that.” Mic drop from the top champion in NJPW, but will he truly stand at the very top in the last round?

Here are the current A Block standings!

Kota Ibushi: 6-2, 12 points [won special singles bye]
Zack Sabre Jr: 6-2, 12 points
Shingo Takagi: 6-2, 12 points
Kenta: 6-2, 12 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 5-3, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Toru Yano: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Great-O-Khan: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Tanga Loa: 2-6, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Yujiro Takahashi: 2-6, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

Very good stuff out of the G1 again in this penultimate round. Really good stuff out of Ishii VS Yujiro, and I figured Ishii would win after his NEVER Openweight Six Man teammates just lost. Kenta VS Loa was pretty good for being a Bullet Club VS Bullet Club, but things were still civil there so maybe Kenta isn’t as ready to jump from Team Switch to House of Torture just yet. Would still love if he did, though. Yano VS ZSJ was hilarious for being so short and fast, Yano really does keep finding new gags to pull, even though he lost. Takagi VS Khan was great stuff, Khan really got to shine, but of course Takagi wins, also keeping this block interesting.

Takagi lost to ZSJ early in the G1, so if ZSJ wins, Takagi can’t advance. The same goes for Ibushi, who is facing Kenta in the final round. Loa could be a spoiler, Kenta could be a spoiler, and that is how Takagi enters the finals. If ZSJ loses but Ibushi wins, Takagi is still out. Therefore, I think ZSJ loses, Takagi wins, and then it’s all on the main event with Ibushi, which is the proper way to book this.

My Score: 9/10