NJPW’s grueling tournament hits the halfway point!

NJPW faction members clash against each other again! Will Bullet Club still (not) be fine after Evil takes on the Good Bad Guy?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Chase Owens; Chase wins.
• EVIL w/ Dick Togo VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado; Evil wins.
• Taichi w/ Miho Abe VS Jeff Cobb; Cobb wins.
• Hirooki Goto VS YOSHI-HASHI; Goto wins.
• Kazuchika Okada VS SANADA; Okada wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current B Block standings!

Kazuchika Okada: 4-0, 8 points
Jeff Cobb: 4-0, 8 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-1, 6 points
EVIL: 3-1, 6 points
SANADA: 2-2, 4 points
Taichi: 2-2, 4 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 1-3, 2 points
Tama Tonga: 1-3, 2 points
Hirooki Goto: 0-4, 0 points
Chase Owens: 0-4, 0 points

Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Chase Owens!

The Ace is riding high after another win, but he can’t take it easy just yet! Will the Crown Jewel cash in and earn himself a shot at the IWGP United States Championship?

As always, Tanahashi shows off the muscles and the fans cheer. The bell rings and fans rally for “Let’s Go, Ace! Let’s Go, Ace!” as he and Chase circle. They feel things out, Chase showing he wants leg. But then Chase backs off and the two tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Chase wrenches to a wristlock, Tanahashi fights and slips through to wrench Chase back. Tanahashi gets around, trips Chase and floats to a headlock. Chase fights up, pulls hair and powers up, but Tanahashi holds tight! Fans cheer as Tanahashi keeps on the grind. Chase fights up, pries at the hold, but Tanahashi hits a takeover. Tanahashi shrugs off the headscissors attempt but Chase makes it a cover, ONE!

Chase fights up and powers out to a facelock but Tanahashi wrenches through. Tanahashi wrenches again but Chase rolls and kips up to break free and dropkicks Tanahashi down! Fans rally and Chase takes a second to reset. Tanahashi gets up, the two circle and tie up, but Chase kicks low. Chase headlocks to punch Tanahashi, then bumps him off buckles. Chase stomps, whips corner to corner, then runs in but Tanahashi elbows. Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Fans cheer as Tanahashi air guitars! Tanahashi runs at Chase but Chase elbows then CROSSBODIES in return! Chase even air guitars, too! Oh, he has to tune it first. Then he rocks out!

Tanahashi kicks Chase low for that one. Tanahashi then runs but Chase dropkicks the legs out! Fans rally up and Chase gets a leg. Chase stomps it, drives knees into it, then yanks it! Chase then drops a knee on the knee and fans rally, “Let’s Go, Ace!” Chase puts the leg in a toehold, brings down Tanahashi’s kneepad and digs his knuckles and elbow into the joint! The fans still rally, Chase twists the leg and jams elbows into the knee. Chase lets off to then drag Tanahashi to ropes. He puts the leg on the rope to drop down with straddle attacks! Chase ties up the legs but they’re in the ropes so the ref counts. Chase lets off, fans rally back up, and Tanahashi clutches his knee.

Chase stands Tanahashi up but Tanahashi throws forearms. Chase kicks the bad leg but Tanahashi hits back with fast hands! Tanahashi kicks Chase to a corner, whips corner to corner but Chase reverses, only for Tanahashi to come back with FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up with Tanahashi as he throws more forearms on Chase. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Chase into the drop zone, then goes up the corner. Second rope SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans still rally as Tanahashi runs, but Chase drops to deny the Slingblade. A very Jay White move. Tanahashi storms in but into a small package! TWO, and Chase gets to a corner.

Tanahashi runs in, Chase dodges then ROCKS him with a forearm! Chase reels Tanahashi in for a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up again as Chase fireman’s carries Tanahashi. Tanahashi fights free and blocks the knee! Chase throws forearms, frees his leg and hammerlocks, but no lariat! Tanahashi runs, but into a hammerlock! JEWEL HEIST! Cover, TWO! Chase aims with both finger guns and brings Tanahashi up. Chase tucks Tanahashi in, but Tanahashi fights the package driver! Tanahashi back drops Chase to the apron but Chase boots back in. Tanahashi blocks for a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!

Fans fire up with Tanahashi and he runs to hit the SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! But Tanahashi goes right up the corner! Chase stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! Tanahashi fires up and goes back up top! HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees! Chase saves himself but they’re both down as fans fire up. Chase gets up in a corner, Tanahashi runs in but only gets buckles! Schoolboy and high stack, but Chase uses ropes! The ref doesn’t it! TWO!! Tanahashi escapes but Chase sobats him low! Chase suplexes but Tanahashi fights it! TWIST- NO! Chase slips through, hooks Tanahashi’s arms, BACKSLIDE! TWO!! Tanahashi narrowly escapes, but he blocks the knee!

But Chase ducks the Shotei! Chase fires off fast hands, JEWEL TRIG- SHOTEI!! Tanahashi rocks Chase first then fires up! Tanahashi runs, into a JEWEL TRIGGER! Both men are down but fans fire back up! Tanahashi is on the ropes, JEWEL TRIGGER! Chase hurries to get Tanahashi tucked in, PACKAGE DRIVER!! Cover, CHASE WINS?!?

Winner: Chase Owens, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Tanahashi earns 0)

This is perhaps the biggest win in the Crown Jewel’s career, and he’s not very humble about it! He kicks the Young Lions away from Tanahashi just so he can stand over him a moment longer. Chase trumps The Ace, will the NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion look to add the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship to his collection?

EVIL w/ Dick Togo VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado!

It’s Bullet Club VS Bullet Club again! The House of Torture’s Tokyo Pimp lost to the Silverback, will the Good Bad Guy keep the Guerrillas of Destiny strong? Or will Darkness Fall as the King of Darkness stands tall?

As always, a Too Sweet is offered, but can it be trusted coming from Evil? Jado sure wants Dick to be cool. They all Low Sweet, and for now, Bullet Club is fine. The bell rings and Tama already takes off the vest to get serious. Fans rally as Tama and Evil circle. Evil offers a handshake now? Tama takes it, but Evil reels him in! Tama escapes the STO and tells the SOB off, but Evil apologizes. They circle again and Tama is wary of this second handshake offer. Fans clap and Tama reaches out, but then he ducks a sucker punch! Tama fires hands, Evil rakes eyes! Evil whips, Tama reverses and hurdles, hurdles and HAKU STYLE CHOPS! Tama is all fired up as Evil bails out.

But wait! Dick is up to his tricks and he’s untying the red corner’s buckle pad! Tama sees that and shouts at him and Dick runs away. Evil rushes in but Tama’s ready with haymakers. Tama whips Evil to a corner, then runs in to back elbow! Fans fire up as Tama throws more back elbows, then whips Evil corner to corner. Fans rally up with Tama and he runs in, but Evil removes the buckle pad! Tama hits bare steel face first! Tama clutches his mouth and nose but Evil just shrugs. Evil drags Tama up, throws him out of the ring, then argues with the ref. But Jado keeps Dick away from Tama! Fans cheer and the Master Heater coaches Tama up.

The ref sees this and Dick plays innocent. Tama gets up and gets in the ring, but Evil’s right on him with more raking of the eyes! Evil then hooks Tama up in the cobra twist! Tama endures, but Evil and Dick form the chain! Jado hurries over to rush Dick off, but then the ref wants Jado to stand down. Evil lets Tama go, Jado coaches Tama and fans rally up. Evil stands Tama up but Tama throws body shots and uppercuts! Tama runs but into a shoulder tackle! Evil drags Tama around, stands him up and whips him into a neutral corner for a clothesline, then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Evil argues the count but the ref says it was fair.

Tama writhes, fans still rally, but Evil kicks Tama around. Evil taunts Tama as Tama gets up the ropes but Tama throws body shots! Evil claws Tama’s face again! The ref counts, Evil stops at 4, then wrenches Tama and whips him corner to corner. Tama stops from hitting the bare buckles! Evil runs in but Tama dodges and Evil runs into steel! Tama gets Evil with a NECKBREAKER! Fans rally again, Tama crawls to the corner and stands up. Tama hobbles over to Evil, drags him up and throws body shots. Tama throws forearms and uppercuts, then whips. Evil reverses, Tama dodges to dropkick! And again! And again! Fans fire up with Tama as Evil is down!

Tama drags Evil back up, whips him into bare buckles, then fires up with the fans to run in and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Tama drags Evil up in a dragon sleeper. But Evil claws Tama’s face again! Tama lets Evil go, Evil blocks his kick to give it to the ref and mule kick Tama down! Fans rally again as Tama writhes and Evil catches his breath. Evil hobbles over, has the legs and steps through, but Tama THROAT STABS Evil! Another shoutout to his father, Haku! Tama drives Evil down to the mat! Tama lets Evil go, gets the legs and steps through, to steal the SHARPSHOOTER! Fans rally and Evil endures as Tama sits deep on the hold!

Evil pushes up but Tama pulls back on the legs! Evil crawls and manages the ropebreak. Tama lets go, drags Evil to a drop zone and climbs. But Evil grabs at the ref! Tama hops down to stomp Evil around, then drags him up to CLUB him on the back. Tama fireman’s carries but Evil slips out. Tama elbows him away, runs, but Evil uses the ref as a shield! Tama moves the ref aside but Evil kicks low! Evil suplexes Tama and uses the ref for MAGIC KILLER! All three are down and fans rally up! Evil and the ref sit up, Evil covers, TWO! Tama survives and Evil is furious! Evil gets the legs to put Tama in the SHARPSHOOTER! But Tama gets the ropebreak quick!

The ref counts, Evil lets go at 4 and is frustrated. Fans rally up but Evil drags Tama up. Tama blocks the fireman’s carry, CLUBS away on Evil’s back, but Evil fireman’s carries! Tama fights off to facelock but Evil wrenches out to reel Tama in! EVERYTHING- NO! Tama slips out to TONGAN TWIST! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up again and Tama watches Evil rise. GUN- NO! Evil shoves Tama at the ref but Tama stops himself. Tama also stops the low blow! Fireman’s carry and ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Fans fire up and Tama hurries up top! DIVING BODY PRESS!! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives the huge splash but fans are thunderous as Tama pounds the mat.

But the lights go out?! Where is Dick!? Did he do this!? But when the lights come up, Dick is choking Tama! And the ref is down! But Jado SMACKS Dick with the kendo stick! Tama hits Dick with the THROAT STAB! But Evil LOW BLOWS Tama!! EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! But the ref is still out! Evil drags him over, covers Tama, and the ref counts! Evil wins!!

Winner: Evil, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Tama earns 0)

The King of Darkness wins, but who was it that turned out the lights in the arena? Oh, but of course! The newest member of the House of Torture and Bullet Club, SHO! High Voltage helped short out the Good Bad Guy’s chances, is Bullet Club anything but fine?

Taichi w/ Miho Abe VS Jeff Cobb!

The Holy Emperor fell off fast, but his rage is only boiling up stronger! Will he find a way to rise back up? Or will he be conquered by the United Empire’s juggernaut?

Taichi takes off the elaborate robe and shows off his dancing pecs. Cobb is not impressed because he can do it, too! The bell rings and fans rally up already, “TA-I-CHI!” “JEFF COBBU!” They circle, slowly approach and tie up. Cobb puts Taichi on ropes but lets off cleanly. Fans cheer and Taichi fixes his hair before he circles with Cobb again. They tie up, again Cobb puts Taichi on the ropes, but again Cobb lets off cleanly. Taichi applauds the sportsmanship, as do the fans, and fans continue to rally. Taichi wipes his hands off on the corner buckle before he and Cobb tie up a third time. This time Taichi tries to power Cobb back but Cobb shoves him away! Cobb shakes his head as Taichi sits up.

Taichi and Cobb reset and approach. Taichi kicks away on Cobb’s leg! Cobb hobbles and bails out but Taichi pursues. Taichi kicks the bad leg again, then whips Cobb into railing! Taichi gets the coil of camera cable and chokes Cobb with all of it! The ref counts, Taichi lets go and Cobb sputters as he’s free. Taichi again wipes his hands, kicks Taichi low and puts him in the ring. It seems Cobb’s hair is still very wet so Taichi keeps having to dry his hands. Taichi then CHOKES Cobb into the corner! He lets off as the ref counts, and he kicks the bad leg. Cobb hobbles more but Taichi kicks him again. Taichi starts toying with Cobb but Cobb CHOPS!

Taichi eggs Cobb on so Cobb throws a forearm. Taichi talks trash, Cobb forearms again but Taichi kicks! Cobb blocks, shoves Taichi to a corner, but misses to get buckles! But he blocks the gamangiri to pick Taichi up and FALL AWAY SLAM him across the ring! Fans cheer the strength, but Cobb then adds on stomps. Cobb hauls Taichi up, and CHOKES him in return! The ref counts, Cobb lets off and backs away. Cobb comes back to stand Taichi up and CLUB him on the back! And CLUB him again! Cobb pushes Taichi and stands on his back to use him as a surfboard! Cobb hops off, drags Taichi back up and snapmares him towards the ropes.

Cobb stands on Taichi and has Taichi’s mic! Cobb sings but we all know that mic’s never actually on. The ref reprimands and counts, Cobb hops off and tosses the mic away. Taichi sputters to a corner and kicks from below but Cobb eggs him on. Taichi kicks again but Cobb clotheslines him down! Cobb then drags Taichi up and RAMS him into a corner! And then corner to corner! And then back the other way! Fans fire up as Cobb grits his teeth and seethes. Cobb hauls Taichi up for CHOP LARIAT! And another CHOP LARIAT! Taichi falls over and fans fire up. Cobb pushes Taichi to the cover, ONE!! Taichi seethes but Cobb taunts him, “You got fire?”

Taichi grabs Cobb by the ear, kicks low, but Cobb headbutts him back! Cobb takes a sumo stance and then POUNCES Taichi to the apron! Miho checks on Taichi as Cobb roars. Cobb drags Taichi up, whips him to ropes, but Taichi reverse to wrench and DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! Both men are down and fans rally up! Cobb crawls to a corner in a daze while Taichi slowly sits up. Taichi runs into the corner to clothesline, then snapmare and KICK Cobb in the back! Taichi sits Cobb up for Kowata Kicks, then dodges Cobb’s clothesline to get the SEI- No, wait, Cobb fireman’s carries out of the stretch plum! Taichi slips off, dodges in the corner and GAMANGIRIS Cobb down!

Fans rally up as Cobb sits up in a daze. Taichi grits his teeth, gets up, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi buzzsaws but Cobb ducks to kick, uppercut and dropkick! Fans fire up as Cobb covers, TWO! Taichi crawls for ropes but Cobb waistlocks and dead lifts! But Taichi blocks the suplex to break free and PELE! Fans rally up again as both men stir. Taichi stands up, Cobb sits up, Taichi KICKS Cobb in the chest! And again! And again! Cobb fires up, gets to his feet and dares Taichi to kick him again. Taichi KICKS the bad leg! Then BUZZSAWS! Fans fire up as Taichi stands Cobb back up and runs, but Cobb LARIATS Taichi first!

Cobb hurries to get Taichi up, reel him in, ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Fans are thunderous but Cobb is frustrated. Cobb says it’s time, and he drags Taichi back up. Cobb whips, scoops and TOUR- NO! Taichi slips out, dodges and DANGE- NO, his back gives up! Cobb clinches, reels Taichi in and CLUBS him hard on the back! Scoop and Taichi CHOKES Cobb! The ref reprimands but Cobb breaks free, only for Taichi to ROUNDHOUSE! And DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Taichi hurries to get the cover, TWO!! Cobb survives and fans are thunderous again! Miho coaches Taichi up and he roars as he gets to his feet.

Taichi aims from the corner as he powers up. TENSHO- NO! Cobb blocks, spins and SUPERKICKS Taichi! But Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! But Cobb stays up, until Taichi GAMANGIRIS! Taichi body scissors for the TAICHI STYLE GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!! Fans are thunderous again and Taichi reels Cobb in. Taichi can’t Alabama lift with a bad back, but he sobats! Cobb CHOPS, Taichi boots but Cobb blocks to DECK Taichi with that haymaker! Cobb roars, drags Taichi up and whips him to ropes, AX BOMBER?!? Taichi vows to finish this! Taichi stands Cobb up, Alabama lifts, but Cobb fights free! Cob lifts, Taichi slips free to BOOT and GAMAN-

NO! Cobb ducks it to DEAD LIFT GERMAN! Taichi staggers about, into TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, Cobb wins!!

Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taichi earns 0)

The Hulk smashes the Holy Emperor and is undefeated in B Block! Will he continue until he’s at the very top of the G1?

Hirooki Goto VS YOSHI-HASHI!

The Fierce Warrior and the Head Hunter may be NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions together, but they have to face each other in the fifth. Who will #GetBackUp after Chaos faces Chaos?

The bell rings and Hashi fires off on Goto! Goto hits back and they’re brawling already! Hashi gets the edge, whips but Goto reverses. Hashi ducks and dodges to run Goto over! Fans rally already for “YO-SHI-HASH!” as he stomps Goto. Hashi bumps Goto off buckles, fires off more forearms, but Goto turns it around to give all those back! Hashi turns it back, fires off even more forearms, but Goto again returns the favor! Hashi gets another turn of forearms, but Goto SLAPS! Hashi SLAPS back and sits Goto down! Hashi paces as he catches his breath, then stands Goto up to CHOP him! And CHOPS again! Hashi digs his boot in but Red Shoes counts. Hashi lets off at 4 to stand Goto up.

Hsahi forearms, whips corner to corner, but Goto comes back to run Hashi over! Fans rally and Hashi bails out. Goto pursues, CLUBS Hashi on the bakc, but Hashi throws body shots. Hashi whips, Goto reverses and sends Hashi into railing. Goto runs in but Hashi dodges, and Goto runs into railing! Hashi POSTS Goto, then brings Goto up as the ring count begins. Hashi whips Goto back into railing! The count is 10 of 20 as Hashi hits a NECKBREAKER to the floor! Hashi gets in the ring at 16 of 20. Goto gets to his feet and in at 19! Hashi keeps cool as he drags Goto up. Hashi CLUBS Goto on the back, then cravats for a neck wrench.

Hashi snapmares then digs his knee into Goto’s back. Goto endures and the fans rally up. Goto kicks around and gets the ropebreak! Hashi lets off, fans rally up again, and Hashi drags Goto up. Goto CHOPS and CHOPS, runs but Hashi dodges to come back with the BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Another try, TWO! Hashi keeps cool as fans continue to rally up. Hashi drags Goto up, brings him over to ropes and hangs him out to dry. Hashi runs and dropkicks Goto down! Cover, TWO! Hashi brings Goto back up, but Goto CHOPS again! Hashi eggs him on so Goto CHOPS and CHOPS, but Hashi ROCKS Goto with a forearm!

Hashi runs, but Goto follows. Hashi ducks to CHOP! Hashi boots but Goto deflects that to DISCUS! Both men are down but fans fire up. Hashi gets to a corner, Goto runs in and clotheslines! Hashi slips out of the bulldog to headlock! But Goto counters with a BIG back suplex! Hashi crawls to a corner and Goto runs in again, MURAMASA! Then the BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Goto drags Hashi up, fireman’s carries, but Hashi fights free of that to waistlock. Goto elbows free, but Hashi spinning back kicks him down! Fans continue to rally as both men are down again. Hashi gets up and runs, but Goto swats the lariat! Hashi spins back to CHOP!

Hashi and Goto run to DOUBLE LARIAT! Both men stagger but they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Hashi stays on his feet but Goto drops to a knee! Hashi runs but Goto catches him and spins him, clinch and Belly2Belly! Cover, TWO! Goto gets Hashi up in the fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Goto roars and fans fire up. Goto gets Hashi to his feet, dragon sleepers, but Hashi fights through. Goto settles for the facelock and URA GTR! Cover, TWO! Fans rally harder and Goto stands Hashi back up. Dragon sleeper, but Hashi powers through to suplex to the SHOUTEN KAI! Hashi uses one of Goto’s moves! Fans fire up again as both men are down!

Hashi and Goto slowly stir and fans rally even harder. Hashi crawls over to Goto and throws a forearm. Goto slowly sits up and throws the forearm back! Hashi gives another forearm, but Goto growls and forearms again. They both growl and throw forearms back and forth, and even as they slowly stand up. Hashi throws a forearm, Goto gives it back, repeat! Hashi staggers, Goto eggs him on, and Hashi gives another forearm back! They pick up speed and the fans rally with them! Hashi CHOPS, then throws more forearms and another CHOP! Goto snarls and he fires off forearm after forearm! But Hashi fires off boxing palm strikes! Goto wobbles but he ROCKS Hashi in return!

Hashi falls to a knee and Goto fires up, to KICK! Hashi blocks to HEADBUTT! Both men fall over and fans are fired up again! Hashi crawls around, gets up and runs, to METEORA! Cover, TWO! Hashi stands Goto back up, fisherman and suplex but Goto knees free. Goto swings, but into the DRAGON SUPLEX! But Goto is right back up, only for Hashi to SUPERKICK! Hashi reels Goto in, KUMAGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Hashi won’t let up, he wraps on a SLEEPER! Goto endures, fights up, but Hashi shifts to nelson and pump handle. Goto fights Karma to roll and wrench, but Hashi CHOPS him! Hashi wrenches but Goto HEADBUTTS!

Fans are thunderous as both men are down again. Goto crawls to ropes and drags himself up. Goto watches Hashi slowly rise and he powers up… BUZZSAW, but Hashi blocks! Hashi CLUBS the leg, runs in, but into a fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous as Goto drags Hashi back up in the dragon sleeper. But Hsahi spins through again! Goto suplexes to SHOUTEN KAI! Goto is fired up, he gets Hashi back up, dragon sleeper and G T R!! Cover, Goto wins!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hashi earns 0)

The Fierce Warrior is finally on the board! But he also brings Hashi down so that both men are 1-4. Is Goto’s win a little too late with only four rounds left? Or is there still time for a NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Champion to #TurnItAllAround?

Kazuchika Okada VS SANADA!

The Rainmaker and Cold Skull have faced off EIGHT times so far in their careers. The previous time was for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, which Okada won. And the time before that, they faced each other in the 29th G1 Climax, which Okada won. Can Sanada finally turn his fortunes around with a big win here? Or is Okada going to keep the rain coming in this red hot autumn?

Fans already clap “O-KA-DA!” “SA-NA-DA!” as the jackets are put aside. The bell rings and fans rally up more as the two circle. They approach and feel things out. It has been awhile since these two rivals met 1v1, but they still remember those matches well. Fans rally more as the two reset and try again. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Okada gets around to a waistlock. Sanada switches but Okada drops to switch back. Sanada pries the hold apart to get an armlock, then wrenches to a wristlock. Okada rolls, wrenches back and has the wristlock now, but Sanada powers through to a waistlock. Okada drop toeholds then ties up the legs for a figure four knot.

Sanada endures as Okada pulls on the legs. Okada floats to a headlock and grinds, but Sanada fights up to pry free. Okada holds Sanada off as long as he can but Sanada leans on the wristlock. Okada slips around to get the headlock and takeover, but Sanada headscissors. Okada kips free and fans cheer the stand off. Sanada and Okada back off as fans continue to rally, and the two circle again. They feel things out to a knuckle lock but Okada rolls to wrench and wrangle Sanada to the mat. Sanada gets up, Okada still has wrist control and changes it up but Sanada gets to ropes to avoid the double wristlock. Okada lets off slowly but cleanly, and pats Sanada on the chest.

Okada shows chop but he fakes Sanada out to pat him on the shoulders. But Sanada rushes in, only for Okada to kick low and put on a headlock. Sanada powers out but Okada runs him over with a shoulder. Things keep moving, Okada sees the drop down to drop an elbow! Okada clubs Sanada to a corner, whips him corner to corner but Sanada goes up and over. Sanada then ducks and dodges to arm-drag and dropkick Okada down! Fans cheer, rally up again, and Okada goes to a corner. Sanada runs in corner to corner but blocks the boot. Okada breaks free then blocks Sanada’s boot to try again. Sanada blocks, trips Okada, and ties him up, only for Okada to boot him away.

Sanada runs in but Okada boots him away. Okada runs but into a RANA! Sanada rolls back to get the legs, and he puts Okada in Paradise! Fans applaud and Sanada encourages them to get louder. Fans do get louder and Sanada is satisfied, so he dropkicks Okada out of Paradise! Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps his cool, sits Okada up and clamps on a chinlock. Sanada also digs his knee in but Okada endures. Fans rally and Okada reaches out to get a ropebreak with his foot. Sanada lets go, brings Okada up and CLUBS him on the back. Sanada CLUBS Okada again, then snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Sanada stands Okada up again.

Sanada knees low, whips and elbows Okada down to STANDING MOONSAULT! But he flops as Okada moves! Okada stands Sanada up but Sanada knees low. Sanada whips, Okada ducks and dodges and ELBOWS Sanada down! Fans continue to rally, Okada drags Sanada up and whips him corner to corner. Okada hits a back elbow, then kicks Sanada into the DDT! Cover, TWO! Okada keeps cool while fans fire back up. Okada drags Sanada up, gut wrench but Sanada blocks. They fight for control, Okada gets Sanada off his feet but Sanada kicks to resist. So Okada kicks low and turns Sanada for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

Okada sits Sanada up and puts him in a straitjacket stretch! Fans rally and Sanada kicks forward, but Okada pulls back harder on the hold! Sanada still reaches out and now he gets a ropebreak with a foot! Okada lets go quickly and keeps his cool as fans rally up again. Okada stands Sanada up to snapmare at the ropes, then runs to basement dropkick! Sanada rolls out to the floor, Okada takes his time catching his breath while the ring count climbs. The count is 8 of 20 before Sanada stands, and he gets in at 12. Okada brings Sanada up to CLUB him, then he kicks him. Okada throws a forearm, then slaps Sanada around. Fans rally as Sanada then CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS!

Okada knees low, scoops and SLAMS Sanada, but he misses the back senton as Sanada moves! Sanada hurries to get Okada up but Okada knees low and whips, only for Sanada to dropkick Okada’s legs out! Fans fire up and Sanada kips up! Sanada rallies with elbows and arm-drags, then a BACKBREAKER! Okada bails out and Sanada hurries to PLANCHA! Direct hit and fans fire up again. Sanada encourages them to get louder and they do, so he’s satisfied. Sanada goes back to Okada and he drags Okada up and into the ring. Cover, TWO! Fans continue to rally, “SA-NA-DA!” “O-KA-DA!” as Sanada brings Okada up.

Okada blocks the fireman’s carry and CLUBS him on the back. But Sanada dropkicks Okada’s leg out! Okada goes to a corner, Sanada runs in but is put on the top rope! Okada dropkicks Sanada down to the floor! A ring count begins again but Okada goes out to fetch Sanada. Okada kicks low then hits a DDT! Red Shoes goes out to check on Sanada and Okada goes into the ring. Sanada is okay to continue so the count starts again. The count reaches 10 of 20, then climbs to 15 before Sanada gets up! Fans rally hard as ever, Sanada springs up at 17 and in at 18! Okada drags Sanada up, wrenches and has the MONEY CLIP! Sanada endures, powers Okada to a corner, and is free!

Sanada runs back in but Okada dodges. Okada comes back but into an elbow! Sanada Quebrada but Okada gets under! Sanada falls over, clutching his knee! Did it jam in the landing? Fans rally and Okada heads over. Okada shows no mercy as he SMASHES that knee into the mat! Sanada writhes and flounders but Okada gets the leg again to SMASH it back into the mat! Okada then brings Sanada up to his feet but Sanada swings on him! Okada dodges that, gets the arm and puts on the MONEY CLIP! Sanada endures, reaches, but Okada arm-drags him away from ropes to have MONEY CLIP on the mat! Fans rally hard as ever as Sanada endures again!

Okada leans on the hold, squeezes tight, and Sanada is turning red! Sanada refuses to quit, but he’s fading! Red Shoes check son Sanada, but Sanada gets a second wind to get the ropebreak! Okada lets go and fans continue to rally. Okada drags Sanada back up to scoop and SLAM him. Per the standard formula, Okada goes to a corner, climbs up top, MACHO ELBOW! Rainmaker Pose! Okada drags Sanada up, wristlocks and ripcords but Sanada dodges to dragon sleeper! Okada snapmares free but runs into a fireman’s carry! TKO! Cover, TWO! Sanada gets his bad leg moving again and says he’ll end it now.

Sanada dragon sleepers Okada for a SKULL SWING! Then SKULL END! Okada endures as Sanada has the body scissors in! Fans rally, Sanada pulls back as hard as he can, and now Okada is turning red! Red Shoes checks, Okada is almost out, but Sanada lets him go to go up top! ROUNDING BODY PRESS, but he has to roll through as Okada moves! The bad leg bothers Sanada again! Fans rally even harder as Okada staggers up. Sanada tilt-o-whirls to the SKULL END!! A shoutout to Naito, perhaps? Okada endures, flails, but he’s caught in the body scissors again! Okada pops his head out but Sanada holds him down with his legs! Sanada drags Okada back into the SKULL END!

Fans are thunderous as Okada endures again. Okada kicks around, gets free of the scissors, but Sanada still has the dragon sleeper! SKULL END, the THIRD! Okada flails, but he’s not quitting! Okada reaches out desperately, his foot gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans are thunderous again as Sanada lets Okada go. Sanada hasn’t lost hope yet, he revels in the fans getting louder and louder! Sanada vows to end this, and he gets Okada up to suplex, MAGIC- NO! Okada slips out, switches and spins, into a ROLLING SOBAT! Sanada runs but Okada dropkicks him down! Fans fire up as Okada gets Sanada back up, ripcord- FLAPJACK TKO!!

Sanada hurries up top, ROUNDING BODY PRESS! But the bad knee hurts from the landing! Sanada crawls to the cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous again as Okada survives by mere milliseconds! Sanada grits his teeth, gets his bad legs moving again, and he hobbles to get Okada back up. Dragon sleeper, but Okada clubs back from below. Sanada holds on but Okada back drops! Sanada sunset flips but Okada sits on it, TWO!! Sanada fireman’s carries, dragon sleeper, but Okada turns that into a gut wrench and JUMPING TOMBSTONE!! Both men are down again and fans are electric! Red Shoes checks and Okada slowly sits up. Sanada slowly starts to sit up, and Okada heads his way.

Okada and Sanada meet forehead to forehead on the mat. Okada throws a forearm, Sanada gives it back. Okada roars and stands right up, and he throws another forearm. Sanada throws one back, Okada gives another. Sanada forearms, Okada forearms, back and forth and the fans rally up with them. Okada gets the edge as he ROCKS Sanada, but Sanada comes back with a EuroUpper! Okada SHOTGUNS, but Sanada is right back up! Forearm, ROLLING- Okada GERMAN SUPLEXES! And Ripcords, but Sanada ducks to O’Conner SIT-DOWN! TWO!!! Okada narrowly escapes the British Slide! Okada scoops, Sanada fights the tombstone to get a dragon sleeper!!

SKULL END, but Okada rolls through! RAIN- NO! SLICED- NO, no bread! Ripcord, but Sanada ducks and fakes out the dropkick! Sanada wants Okada to stand as the fans are electric! CORRIENDOR- TOMBSTONE!! Ripcord and RAINMAKER!!! Okada hurries to cover, Okada wins!!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sanada earns 0)

It was truly fast and furious to finish this one, but once again, it is the Rainmaker who stands tall! Okada shows his rival respect with a thumbs up, and Sanada gives the thumbs up back. Sanada falls to 2-3, but does he still stand an outside chance of making it?

As for Okada, he gets the mic to close. “KORAKUEN~! Thank you for your passionate support today.” Okada knows that per NJPW guidelines, the fans can’t yell out loud and all, so the excitement today might’ve made some slip up there. Sorry about that. But now, Okada is 5 for 5, and from this point out, entries will be mathematically eliminated. But 5 wins is still not enough to win the G1. Five isn’t enough to say Okada is the top wrestler in NJPW again.

Okada also knows that Japan has a new Prime Minister, a new leader. “In much the same way, NJPW needs a new leader at the head of the pack. But in the ring, there are no elections. Whoever is the strongest gets to lead.” Okada believes that by winning more and more, he will become that leader. The Rainmaker is the only man for that job! Fans clap “O-KA-DA!” in their support. Okada says NJPW will be leaving Tokyo for a bit, but promises the G1 will continue to bring the heat this autumn! “Don’t let your guard down! Keep watching closely! Thank you for today! And I’ll keep making it rain this G1 Climax!” Will Okada become the true alpha of the B Block and all of NJPW? Or is he just one match away from a major detour?

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Kazuchika Okada: 5-0, 10 points
Jeff Cobb: 5-0, 10 points
EVIL: 4-1, 8 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-2, 6 points
SANADA: 2-3, 4 points
Taichi: 2-3, 4 points
Hirooki Goto: 1-4, 2 points
Chase Owens: 1-4, 2 points
YOSHI-HASHI: 1-4, 2 points
Tama Tonga: 1-4, 2 points

My Thoughts:

Another great G1, and with another shocker to open the night. Just as Yujiro Takahashi beating Kota Ibushi to open the entire G1 was a shocker over in A Block, Chase Owens getting the win off Hiroshi Tanahashi here was pretty big. It keeps Tanahashi just outside the top of the block, and adds to who Tanahashi could have a title match with after this point. Evil again continues to disrespect his Bullet Club teammates, which furthers the hopes of a Bullet Club Civil War. Cobb VS Taichi was a great match, and Taichi came very close but Cobb winning makes a lot of sense. Cobb’s still undefeated, I bet his first loss is to Okada in a great rematch of their own.

Goto VS Hashi was very good, and it continues to be surprising how Hashi is looking so strong. But Goto winning here was a good move, he was going to be dead last and Goto isn’t that bad. I believe he faces Chase and Hashi faces Tama Tonga, that’s going to break up the 1-4 party pretty quickly. Okada VS Sanada was awesome stuff, though I’m not sure how it measures up to previous showdowns between them. Definitely a great ending, and it should’ve been pretty clear Okada was winning here. He makes a good point, 5-0 still isn’t enough yet, a lot could change. However, I don’t see Okada losing more than once. Even after he and Cobb face off, those two could still be neck and neck, where it all comes down to who won between them.

My Score: 9.2/10