The G1 has another four opening round matches!

NJPW’s biggest G1 Climax yet continues on in a big opening weekend! And this card looks to be Rock Hard with Juice VS Takagi in the main event!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• YOSHI-HASHI & David Finlay VS Royce Isaacs & Tom Lawlor; Hashi & Finlay win.
• TAKA Michinoku & Lance Archer VS El Phantasmo & Bad Luck Fale; ELP & Fale win.
• 8 Man Tag: The United Empire VS The House of Torture; The United Empire wins.
• Tama Tonga & Jado VS Jay White & Chase Owens; White & Chase win.
• Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Okada, Tanahashi & Goto win.
• G1 Climax 32, B Block: Tomohiro Ishii VS Taichi; Taichi wins.
• G1 Climax 32, A Block: Toru Yano VS JONAH; Yano wins.
• G1 Climax 32, C Block: Zack Sabre Jr. VS KENTA; ZSJ wins.
• G1 Climax 32, D Block: Shingo Takagi VS Juice Robinson; Juice wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

G1 Climax 32, B Block: Tomohiro Ishii VS Taichi w/ Miho Abe!

The Stone Pitbull had his shot at the AEW All-Atlantic Championship but wasn’t physically fit to compete for it. Now he has a chance for an even bigger prize, if he can make it through this grueling tournament. Will Ishii sink his teeth into a new opportunity? Or will the Holy Emperor be a huge speedbump in the road?

Before the bell, Ishii eggs Taichi on, but Taichi ignores him. Ishii wants Taichi to look at him but the ref has Ishii back off. Ishii still SLAPS Taichi! Fans fire up seeing that, and Taichi takes off his cloak. The bell rings and Taichi goes right at Ishii! Fans fire up as the two are in a deadlock, and fans rally, “I-SHI-I!” “TA-I-CHI!” They break, Ishii CHOPS but Taichi ROCKS and BOOTS Ishii down! Ishii is dazed already but he makes his way to ropes. Taichi kicks at him, stomps him, and eggs him on in return. The ref has Taichi back off and Ishii starts to get up. Taichi toys with Ishii as he stomps and kicks, but Ishii gets up to DECK Taichi!

Fans fire up and Ishii leans against ropes. Ishii growls and stands back up as fans rally. Ishii kicks at Taichi now, then drags him up by his ears. Ishii sits Taichi up but Taichi is dead weight! The ref checks on Taichi but he’s coming to. Ishii stands Taichi to CHOP him! Taichi flops to a corner so Ishii stomps him and eggs him on again. Ishii stands Taichi up, CHOPS and CHOPS again, then talks trash. Taichi stands to CHOP, but Ishii CHOPS and forearms on repeat in the corner! Fans fire up, Ishii stands Taichi up for more CHOPS and forearms! The ref backs Ishii down and reprimands him but the fans are fired up.

Taichi is dazed again and Ishii asks what’s wrong! Ishii tells Taichi to get up already! Fans fire up and Taichi slowly sits up. Fans rally, “TA-I-CHI!” “I-SHI-I!” as Taichi crawls his way over. Ishii kicks him, slaps him around, and toys with Taichi. Taichi gets up and he KICKS away on Ishii’s leg! Ishii CHOPS, whips, but Taichi reverses to reel Ishii in! Ishii blocks the sumo throw and he shoves Taichi down! Fans fire up more and Ishii paces as Taichi slowly crawls to another corner. Ishii runs in but into a BOOT! But he runs in again, only for Taichi to put Ishii in the corner! ENZIGURI! Taichi turns Ishii around for a GAMANGIRI!

Both men are down while fans fire up again. Taichi sits up then stands, but he’s wobbly. Taichi slaps himself to get his senses back, and he storms up on Ishii to kick away at him in the corner! The ref reprimands and counts, Taichi digs his boot in. Taichi keeps kicking, then backs off to TEAR OFF THE PANTS! Taichi throws the pants at Ishii, and Ishii gets mad! Ishii throws the pants away, and CHOPS! Taichi KICKS, Ishii CHOPS, repeat! Fans rally up as the KICKS and CHOPS keep going back and forth! Ishii CHOPS and Taichi winces. Ishii CHOPS again but Taichi KICKS Ishii in the chest! Fans fire up, Taichi chokes Ishii but Ishii puts Taichi in a corner to CHOP!

Ishii CHOPS up high, and again! The ref has Ishii back off and Taichi falls over. Both men sputter but Ishii drags Taichi up. Ishii whips, Taichi reverses but Ishii comes back, into a BOOT! Ishii roars so Taichi SOBATS then BUZZSAWS! Fans fire up while Taichi catches his breath. Fans rally up again and Taichi waits as the ref check son Ishii. Ishii stirs so Taichi drags him up. Taichi reels Ishii in but he fights free to get around, BIG back suplex! Fans fire up again and both men stir. Ishii sees Taichi go to a corner, then runs in to clothesline! Ishii reels Taichi in to put on the top rope, then he climbs up after him!

Fans fire up but Taichi resists. Ishii still gets Taichi up for the STALLING SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! Taichi survives and fans are thunderous! Ishii stands up and waits in Taichi. Taichi stands, Ishii runs, but Taichi boots the lariat away! And the other lariat! Ishii swats Taichi’s lariat away, but Taichi dodges to run, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, AX BOMBER, but Ishii stays up! Ishii ROCKS Taichi, Taichi DECKS Ishii! But then Taichi still falls over, too! Fans are thunderous, and even Miho is fired up at ringside! Taichi and Ishii slowly stir and go to opposite corners. Ishii drags himself up the ropes, as does Taichi.

Taichi and Ishii egg each other on, they run and DOUBLE LARIAT again! Ishii LARIATS, Taichi stays up and leans on the ropes. Ishii runs in, into a ROUNDHOUSE! Taichi LARIATS Ishii from behind and Ishii rebounds off ropes, into a GAMANGIRI! Both men are down again but Taichi roars as he rises up! Taichi drags Ishii up and in, LAST RIDE!! Deep high stack, TWO!! Ishii survives and fans are thunderous for “TA-I-CHI!” “I-SHI-I!” Taichi goes back for Ishii, drags him back up, but Ishii turns Alabama Lift into powerbomb lift, but Taichi slips out and around to DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Cover, TWO!!!

Taichi can’t believe Ishii survives and the fans are thunderous again! Miho coaches Taichi up and the fans rally up. Taichi roars, aims from the corner, and Ishii rises. TENSHO JUJI- DROPKICK! Ishii takes Taichi down first, and now Ishii crawls to a corner. Ishii drags himself up the ropes, roars, and fans fire up with the Pitbull! Taichi stands, Ishii runs, but into a DROPKICK! Taichi rises again, he takes aim from the corner, TENSHO JUJI- NO, Ishii blocks the superkick and spins him around for a GERMAN SUPLEX! But Taichi’s right back up! But Ishii LARIATS him down! Cover, ONE?!?! Fans are electric as Ishii runs again, into an AX BOMBER!

Ishii is down but Taichi wobbles. Taichi focuses, drags Ishii up, and reels him in, DANGEROUS SAIDO! Bridging cover, TWO!! Ishii narrowly escapes!! Taichi brings Ishii right up, Alabama Lift but Ishii slips off and HEADBUTTS! But Taichi clinches for the SUMO TOSS! But Ishii is up to TACKLE Taichi! But Taichi sets up, only for Ishii to ENZIGURI!! Ishii crawls over to Taichi to drag him back up and run, SLIDING LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Taichi survives but Ishii roars again! Ishii drags Taichi back up, suplex and- NO, Taichi fights out! Ishii forearms, Taichi GAMANGIRIS! Ishii is still up!? He deflects the superkick and HEADBUTTS!

Taichi wobbles, but sets up to YOKOZUNA ELBOW!! Taichi roars and he drags Ishii back up, to Alabama Lift into BLACK MEPHISTO!! Cover, Taichi wins!!!

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

This was just an opening round match, and yet it felt like the finals! Will either of these men be able to repeat this performance in the next round? Will anyone be able to follow this performance in this round?

G1 Climax 32, A Block: Toru Yano VS JONAH w/ Bad Dude Tito!

The Producer has faced some big men in NJPW but this is a BIG man! Will Yano have a trick that trip up even Auszilla? Or will Jonah rock Yano right out of the gate?

Yano tries to disinfect the #TopDog but Jonah doesn’t take lightly to it. Yano apologizes and the ref has them stay back. The bell rings and Yano tries to stay away from the scary Jonah. Jonah corners Yano but the ref calls the ropebreak. Jonah thinks that’s the joke, but he backs off. Yano claims he has a present for Jonah! It’s a merch shirt just like Yano’s wearing. Fans rally up for “FRIENDSHIP! FRIENDSHIP!” Jonah takes the shirt, to throw it down! Yano is distraught and picks the shirt up, but Jonah CLUBS him down! Jonah ROCKS Yano, whips him corner to corner and runs in, but Yano dodges to BLINDFOLD Jonah with the shirt! Yano rolls Jonah up, TWO!!

Yano hurries to kick Jonah low. Yano clinches but Jonah is too big for that! So Yano rakes Jonah’s eyes! Yano runs but Jonah runs him over! Fans fire up and Jonah throws the shirt away. Jonah stomps Yano, and he finds the wrist tape Yano somehow hid in his waistband! Yano apologizes but Jonah CLUBS away on him! Jonah whips, Yano holds ropes then dodges to SLAP him! Fans fire up but Jonah is furious. Yano is scared and he bails out, but Jonah pursues! They go around the way as Yano says the ref is to blame! But then Yano gets flanked by Bad Dude Tito! Yano is scared of both big men and he runs into the ring!

But Jonah and Tito drag Yano out and Jonah CLOBBERS Yano against the railing! Jonah HEADBUTTS Yano down, then stands on Yano! The ref reprimands, Jonah steps off and raises his hands, which fans cheer. Jonah puts Yano in, drops a fist, then drops a leg! Cover, TWO! Yano is still in this but Jonah sits Yano up to elbow him in the head! Jonah wraps on a rear bearhug and he thrashes Yano around! Yano endures, fans rally up, and Yano reaches out! Yano gets the ROPEBREAK! Jonah thrashes Yano more but lets off at 4. Yano is deflated and Jonah drags him around. Jonah whips Yano to then CLOBBER him!

Jonah drags Yano up, bumps him off buckles, then RAMS into him with his shoulder again and again! Jonah traps Yano in the corner and presses him! The ref counts and Jonah lets off at 4. Jonah drags Yano up, but Yano grabs at the ref! Jonah shoves the ref away to CLUB Yano down! Jonah rains down fists, then rallies the fans up. Jonah runs from the corner to SENTON but misses as Yano moves! Is the ring okay after that? Yano undoes the buckle pad! But Jonah SPLASHES him against the steel! Yano flounders away but Jonah whips him back in. Yano stops himself, then dodges and Jonah hits steel! Roll up, TWO!!

Yano hurries after Jonah but Jonah HEADBUTTS Yano! Jonah scoops and SLAMS him, then sits Yano up. Jonah runs to STEAMROLL SENTON! Fans fire up and Jonah looms over Yano. Jonah drags Yano up, powers up and runs, but Yano atomic drops! Yano clinches and uses the ropes for the BELLY2BELLY!! Yano somehow manages to throw Jonah! Fans rally up for Yano and he catches his breath. Yano hurries to run again, but Jonah CLOBBERS then SENTONS! Cover, TWO!! Yano survives being crushed but Jonah drags him to a drop zone! Jonah goes up top, but Yano rolls all the way out of the ring.

Jonah hops down, hurries out after Yano, and drags him up to whip hard into railing! Yano falls in a heap, fans rally and the ring count climbs. Jonah drags Yano up at 6 of 20, whips him hard into more railing, and we pass 10 of 20. Jonah brings Yano to the ramp, HEADBUTTS then scoops! But Yano fights free, only for Tito to be there! Yano shoves Tito into Jonah and LOW BLOWS Tito! He might’ve clipped Jonah, too, but Yano runs away to get in the ring at 15! Jonah staggers, he gets counted out!! YANO WINS!!

Winner: Toru Yano, by count-out (gains 2 points; Jonah earns 0)

Jonah is furious! Yano snatched this victory away from the jaws of defeat and gets those points! Jonah protests, there was a low blow that should’ve disqualified Yano! But the ref can’t call what he can’t see so this is Yano’s win. Will Yano have to come up with even more tricks to get through the rest of A Block? Will Jonah take out his frustrations on the rest of the G1?

G1 Climax 32, C Block: Zack Sabre Jr. VS KENTA!

The Submission Master has won the New Japan Cup twice and has been IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, while Fang Revived has won the US New Japan Cup and been IWGP US Heavyweight Champion, but neither has won a G1! Who takes a big first step towards that Climax?

ZSJ and Kenta are in each other’s faces right away but Red Shoes gets them to back down. The trash talk continues, namely on who is the senpai here. The bell rings and the arguing continues. Red Shoes says it doesn’t matter who is senpai, just fight! ZSJ throws the first forearm but Kenta throws it back. ZSJ throws another forearm, but Kenta comes back with another. Fans rally up as the forearms keep going, but then Kenta BOOTS! ZSJ BOOTS, there’s more trash talk, and ZSJ says, “Dozo, dozo! <Go ahead!>” Kenta BOOTS, ZSJ BOOTS, Kenta BOOTS, and BOOTS, but ZSJ blocks to have a toehold!

Kenta claws at ZSJ’s face! Red Shoes reprimands, Kenta whips and kitchen sink knees! ZSJ bails out, Kenta goes out after him, and Kenta whips ZSJ into railing! ZSJ writhes and flounders away but Kenta pursues him to the ramp. Kenta drags ZSJ up to whip into more railing! ZSJ writhes again but Kenta drags ZSJ up to whip him back the other way! ZSJ hits railing again and falls over! Red Shoes reprimands and wants this back in the ring. Kenta kicks ZSJ around, drags him up, and whips him back the other way again! ZSJ almost tumbles against the railing but Kenta drags him back up. Kenta drags ZSJ to the ramp for a DDT!

Kenta leaves ZSJ behind as the ring count climbs, but ZSJ stirs at 5 of 20. Kenta decides to go back out after ZSJ and that resets the count. Kenta drags ZSJ up to KNEE him down! And KICK him! And KICK again! ZSJ leans against railing but Kenta KICKS him again as the ring count restarts. Kenta brings ZSJ up and in at 6 of 20 and fans cheer. Cover, ONE, but Kenta tries again! ONE, another cover, ONE! Kenta is annoyed with Red Shoes but then he gets annoyed with fans clapping “Z S J! Z S J!” Kenta KICKS ZSJ again, and again, and again! ZSJ flops down but Kenta stands on him. Cover, ONE, but Kenta kicks and pushes ZSJ around again.

ZSJ gets up, Kenta kicks him again and scuffs him to the apron. Kenta kicks ZSJ through the ropes, but gets caught to a HANGING HEEL HOOK! Red Shoes counts the ropebreak, ZSJ lets go at 4, to then get a rope assisted FIGURE FOUR! Red Shoes counts again, ZSJ lets off at 4 to drag Kenta to the floor! ZSJ has a deep toehold, puts the leg through railing, and pulls even more! Red Shoes reprimands again but ZSJ keeps on the leg until the count of 4. Kenta clutches his knee and ZSJ kicks him around. ZSJ eggs Kenta on with those kicks, then gets the bad leg for a standing toehold! Kenta can only endure, ZSJ drops the KNEE JAMMER!

Fans rally as ZSJ leaves Kenta behind. Kenta drags himself up and in, but then bails right back out. Red Shoes starts the ring count, ZSJ eggs Kenta on, but Kenta takes his time returning. We’re at 10 of 20, ZSJ keeps talking smack, and Kenta is up on the apron at 14. Kenta steps in, he and ZSJ approach and ZSJ trips Kenta to get the bad leg in a HEEL HOOK! Then ZSJ gets both legs, ties them up, and he digs his elbow into Kenta to get the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Kenta endures and fans fire up, and Kenta pries at the chinbar. ZSJ shifts to focus on the arm but Kenta uses his leg to get a ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go with his arms, but Red Shoes reprimands about the legs.

ZSJ lets Kenta go and fans applaud. Kenta gets to a corner, ZSJ kicks him around, and fans rally up. Kenta glares at ZSJ but ZSJ kicks him. And kicks! Kenta gets up and in ZSJ’s face but ZSJ EuroUppers! Kenta EuroUppers so ZSJ EuroUppers again. Kenta claws ZSJ’s eyes! Kenta snapmares and KICKS ZSJ in the back! Kenta sits down to dare ZSJ to try! Fans fire up and ZSJ takes the offer to KICK Kenta in the back. ZSJ sits down now and he lets Kenta try again. “Onegaishimasu!” Kenta obliges and KICKS ZSJ! Kenta taunts ZSJ but ZSJ dares him to sit down. Kenta sits down so ZSJ gets up and pushes Kenta down for a NECK TWIST! And another NECK TWIST!

Fans fire up while Kenta writhes. ZSJ stands on Kenta’s head and bends an arm to twist the wrist and bend the fingers! ZSJ then isolates the arm to STOMP it! Kenta writhes and ZSJ says that’s why Kenta’s a Young Boy! ZSJ grabs at the arm but Kenta kicks ZSJ. ZSJ twists the bad arm, then drags Kenta up to wrench and wristlock. Kenta ROCKS ZSJ with a forearm but ZSJ just wrenches again! Kenta ROCKS ZSJ, ZSJ wrenches, then drops to TWEAK the arm! ZSJ runs, but Kenta hits a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up while both men are down. Kenta snarls, goes to a corner and unties a buckle pad!

Kenta throws the pad away, whips ZSJ in and ZSJ hits bare steel! Kenta drags ZSJ up and waistlocks but ZSJ resists the lift. ZSJ breaks free, elbows Kenta, but runs into a BOOT! Kenta goes up, reels ZSJ in and TORNADO HOTSHOTS! ZSJ sputters and Kenta goes back up top to FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Kenta is annoyed but he drags ZSJ around into an STF! ZSJ resists the crossface but Kenta elbows him to get the full GAME OVER STF! ZSJ endures, moves around, reaches out, but Kenta shifts to get the arms in chicken wings! ZSJ resists the lift but Kenta keeps trying. Kenta CLUBS away on ZSJ’s back, then fires off a strike fest!

ZSJ ducks the backhand to jump in, GUILLOTINE, and then a shift to get the arms involved! ZSJ is trying for a Jim Breaks Armbar but Kenta moves around, so ZSJ makes it a ghost pin! TWO!! Kenta escapes and fans fire up! Both men talk trash while they’re down and fans rally up. ZSJ stands and KICKS Kenta! And KICKS! And KICKS again! Kenta still sits up, he blocks a kick, and he BOOTS! ZSJ BOOTS then EuroUppers! Kenta EuroUppers then DISCUS, but ZSJ stays standing! ZSJ wrenches the arm to PELE it! But Kenta EuroUppers! ZSJ KICKS the bad arm, Kenta BACKHANDS, but ZSJ ROUNDHOUSES and SHOTGUNS! Fans fire up as both men are down again!

Kenta sits up but ZSJ crawls his way. They both kick at each other from the mat, then more, then they get forehead to forehead. They agree to stand up, and they get face to face again. Kenta throws a forearm, but ZSJ EuroUppers! Fans rally up and Kenta EuroUppers back. ZSJ EuroUppers again, Kenta EuroUppers back. ZSJ EuroUppers, Kenta dodges ZSJ to put him through the ropes! DRAPING DDT! ZSJ flops over and fans rally up again. Kenta aims from one corner as ZSJ gets in the other. Kenta runs in, FLYING BOOT! Kenta goes again, HESITATION DROPKICK! ZSJ is in the drop zone, Kenta goes up top! COUP DE GRACE! Cover, TWO!!

ZSJ survives the double stomps but Kenta slashes his throat. Kenta drags ZSJ up and fireman’s carries but ZSJ fights it! ZSJ wrenches the arm to KICK it, then SLAP Kenta! And SLAP! And- COUNTER PUNCH from Kenta! Kenta fires off another, and another, and another, and ANOTHER! ZSJ is down, Kenta drags him up and fireman’s carries! GO TO- NO, ZSJ blocks the leg! Kenta fires off forearms and palm strikes and is free! Kenta hurries to get ZSJ back up, fireman’s carries, GO TO- NO, O’Conner pop into the REAR NAKED CHOKE! Kenta endures as ZSJ has the body scissors, too! Fans rally, Kenta reaches out, but ZSJ thrashes him around!

Kenta gets out of the body scissors but ZSJ shifts to a standing cobra twist! ZSJ then shifts it around to a full nelson, but Kenta breaks that and elbows! Kenta kicks into the ANKLE LOCK! ZSJ twists the foot and fans fire up again! Kenta moves around, reaches out, but ZSJ drags him from the ropes to lean on the hold! Kenta still fights, and rolls to send ZSJ into the bare buckles! ZSJ still elbows Kenta back, only to run into a KNEE!! ZSJ flops over and Kenta gets to a corner. Kenta waits on ZSJ to rise, and runs in to BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives but Kenta hurries to get back to the corner.

Fans rally, ZSJ sits up, Kenta BUSAIKU KNEES again! Cover, but Kenta lets off?! Kenta wants to hurt ZSJ, and he BUZZSAWS for the hell of it! Cover, Kenta lets off again?! What is Kenta playing at? Kenta SLAPS ZSJ, SLAPS him again, then SLAPS him again! Fans rally for “Z S J!” but Kenta just SLAPS him again! ZSJ catches one into an omoplata! ZSJ wants the other arm, Kenta slips free, but ZSJ grabs the leg for a KNEEBAR! Kenta stands, goes after ZSJ’s legs, then SLAPS ZSJ again! ZSJ catches the next shot, and adds the arm into the hold! Kenta TAPS, ZSJ wins!!

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

The Submission Master just got the better of the “Worst Intruder Ever!” Kenta says this changes nothing, but will Kenta be able to redeem himself in the coming rounds? As for ZSJ, will he make more of the C Block #JustTapOut?

G1 Climax 32, D Block: Shingo Takagi VS Juice Robinson!

The Dragon is a big man but Juice is Rock Hard. But rocks can break, so will Takagi break Juice to get those valuable first points? Or will Juice be just Too Sweet for the Dragon?

Takagi gets his introduction, but Juice attacks! Red Shoes reprimands, Juice tells him to ring the bell then! The bell rings and Juice drags Takagi up to throw him out! Juice then goes out after Takagi but Takagi throws hands. Juice and Takagi brawl, forearm for forearm, but Juice knees low and whips Takagi into railing! Juice stands Takagi up to CHOP him, then whips him the other way. Takagi reverses but Juice reverses back and Takagi hits railing! But Takagi just fires up and runs Juice over! Fans fire up and Takagi kicks away at Juice. Fans rally up, “TA-KA-GI!” and Takagi drags Juice up to fireman’s carry.

Takagi gives Juice SNAKE EYES off the apron, then puts him in the ring. Fans rally, Takagi stalks Juice and whips him to ropes. Takagi KNEES Juice against ropes, then runs to run Juice over! Fans fire up and Takagi brushes himself off. Takagi drags Juice up again and suplexes high and hard! Cover, ONE! Takagi brings Juice down with a chinlock but Juice endures. Juice fights up but Takagi clamps on tighter, to then BELL CLAP! Takagi drags Juice up, snapmares him, and drops a BIG elbow! And another BIG elbow! Takagi feints senton and Juice goes to the apron. Takagi goes out after Juice and fans fire up as Takagi says here goes!

Takagi brings Juice up in a fireman’s carry but Juice clings to ropes. Juice throws elbows on Takagi, then fireman’s carries in return. Takagi fights back with elbows of his own, so Juice trips Takagi! Takagi smacks off the apron, Juice gives him SNAKE EYES off the railing! Juice then POSTS Takagi, and Takagi tumbles into railing. Juice hoists Takagi up to crotch him on the railing, and CLOBBER him off them! Juice leaves Takagi behind while the fans rally up. Red Shoes checks on Takagi but he’s okay to continue. Takagi stirs as the ring count starts. Takagi sits up at 12 of 20, hobbles to railing then to the ring at 16.

Juice drags Takagi up and puts him in a corner. Juice JABS, CHOPS, repeat, but Takagi gets in Juice’s face! Juice eggs Takagi on so Takagi CHOPS! Juice CHOPS so Takagi CHOPS again. Juice CHOPS and Takagi staggers! Takagi CHOPS Juice, Juice CHOPS Takagi, so Takagi JABS! Juice JABS! Takagi JABS! Juice JABS, Takagi JABS, Juice DECKS Takagi! Fans fire up and Juice scuffs Takagi with his boot. Juice stalks Takagi, reels him in, and hits a BIG back suplex! And a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up but Juice clamps right onto Takagi with a chinlock. Now Juice grinds Takagi down but Takagi endures.

Fans rally and Takagi fights up to throw body shots. Juice chicken wings the arms! Takagi fights out of Pulp Friction to ELBOW! JAB! And LEG LARIAT from Juice! Cover, TWO! Juice is upset with the count but the fans fire up again. Fans rally up again and Takagi gets to a corner. Juice waits on Takagi to stand, and he JABS! And JABS! And JABS again! Takagi staggers away but Juice eggs him on. Takagi headbutts the buckle, eggs Juice on, so Juice JABS and JABS and JABS! Juice powers up, spits on his fist, but Takagi ducks the Left Hand o’ God to SAIDO! Juice tumbles away and fans fire up again!

Takagi and Juice are both down but fans rally. Takagi feeds off that energy and gets to a corner. Takagi runs in at Juice to run him over! And then scoop for a SLAM, and a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Takagi says there’s more to come! Fans fire up and Takagi mocks the Juice pumping. Juice stands, into Takagi’s JAB! And JAB! And JAB! And JAB, JAB, JAB! Takagi powers up, YUKON FEINT to a DDT! Fans fire up more as Takagi waits on Juice. Juice writhes, Takagi drags him up, and he hopes Tenzan is watching this on commentary. TENZAN feint to a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Takagi tricks Juice again then covers, TWO!

Juice is still in this but Takagi keeps his cool. Fans rally up, Takagi sits Juice up and rains down some elbows! Takagi runs for the SLIDING- Juice rolls away. Takagi says Red Shoes should check Juice. Juice gets to a corner, Takagi runs in, and he blocks Juice’s boot! Takagi clotheslines in the corner, then runs corner to corner, but Juice follows to clothesline! Juice then runs corner to corner to SHOTGUN Takagi down! Juice snarls and Takagi sputters, Juice runs in to CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up and Takagi gets back to the corner. Juice checks his own neck after that one, and he goes after Takagi.

Juice HEADBUTTS Takagi, hoists him up top, then CHOPS him! Juice goes up after Takagi, but Takagi headbutts back! They start trading headbutts, and Takagi gest the edge! But Juice gives those headbutts back! Juice then SUPERPLEXES Takagi down! And holds on to drag Takagi back up, into a fireman’s carry! Takagi slips off to CLUB Juice, then runs. Juice ducks the clothesline to FULL NELSON SLAM! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up again while both men are down. Takagi and Juice rise, Juice stalks Takagi and reels him in. Juice chicken wings but Takagi slips out of Pulp Friction again. Juice throws elbows, but Takagi blocks the leg lariat!

Juice rakes the eyes! And fireman’s carries, for the JUICEBOX! Juice drags Takagi back up, chicken wings and PULP- NO, Takagi turns that into a Gory Especial, and NOSHIGAMI! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Takagi crawls his way over to Juice, but Juice crawls away. Takagi grabs a leg and anchors Juice to then drag him backwards, WHEELBARROW GERMAN! Fans fire up while both men are down again, but Takagi says “Mada mada mada!” He sits Juice up, to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Juice survives and Takagi is frustrated. Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” and fans clap along.

Takagi gets back up, drags Juice back up, and he pump handles. Juice fights the half nelson, pulls hair, but Takagi throws knees. Juice gets around to roll up with tights! Red Shoes sees that so Juice shoves him down! Takagi drags Juice up but Juice knees low. Juice runs, Takagi LARIATS at the ropes! Takagi runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, Takagi YUKON LARIATS Juice down! Fans fire up again while Takagi catches his breath. Takagi watches Juice crawl to ropes, so Takagi drags him up. Takagi fireman’s carries, but Juice slips to the apron. Takagi fires off headbutts and a JAB!

Takagi runs side to side, but he catches the slingshot spear! Takagi turns Juice around in it, TAKAGI GTR! Takagi then runs, to PUMPING BOMBER! Cover, TWO!! Juice survives but Takagi snarls. Fans rally up and Takagi drags Juice back up. Takagi torture racks but Juice fights it off! Takagi POINT-BLANK LARIATS! And again! Juice returns the favor! And again! And again! Takagi headbutts, Juice headbutts, repeat! They keep bumping heads, but then Takagi fires off boxing elbows! Fans rally up as he goes faster and faster, and way past 10! Juice wobbles but Takagi stands him up. Juice swings a right, Takagi ducks, but not the LEFT HAND O’ GOD!

Juice chicken wings Takagi for PULP FRICTION!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi survives but Juice is too tired to be shocked! Fans are thunderous and Juice calls his shot. Juice gets up, brings Takagi up with him, and runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Takagi rebounds off ropes, into another DOUBLE LARIAT! Juice falls over but he reaches for Takagi. Fans rally up again and Juice stands on wobbly legs. Juice runs, but Takagi swats his lariat away! Takagi bobs ‘n’ weaves, JABS and HEADBUTTS! Juice throws the LEFT HAND, but Takagi DISCUS PUMPING BOMBERS! Fans are thunderous again and Takagi roars!

Takagi drags Juice up, pump handles and torture racks, but Juice fights free again! They bump into Red Shoes and Juice holds on. Takagi gets Juice up while Red Shoes dusts himself off, and Juice LEFT HAND O’ GOD! And again!!  Both closed fists! Then the torture rack, but Takagi slips off! Juice chicken wings again, PULP FRICTION again!! Cover, Juice wins!!

Winner: Juice Robinson, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Takagi earns 0)

Rock Hard slays the Dragon, but those closed fists made all the difference! Takagi is certain of it, at least. Will Takagi just have to focus on redeeming himself in the next round? As for Juice, he gets his hand raised but then pushes Red Shoes away to throw the Too Sweet up. He then gets the mic and flops over to rest. From the mat, Juice declares, “The Dragon is dead! Good-bye, Shingo Takagi.” Juice then mixes English and Japanese as he says, “Finlay sucks! Yoshi-Hashi sucks! Yujiro Takahashi sucks! El Phantasmo… He’s okay. Will Ospreay… Juice Robinson is the IWGP United States Champion~!” Well, Juice just has the belt, not the actual ownership.

Juice continues to say, “One down, five to go! Nobody’s touching me! F YOU!” Juice drops the mic and moves on, but will The Booster blast off towards the finals?

My Thoughts:

Another great event for the G1 Climax, but Ishii VS Taichi sure stole the show. They were the first G1 match of the night but they really brought it. Taichi getting the win makes a lot of sense, he has been going strong for a long time, and while I don’t think he’ll win the G1, this could push him towards a singles title. At this point, it’s either getting in on the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship or the AEW All-Atlantic Championship. Yano VS Jonah was good stuff, with Jonah just dominating, all for Yano to sucker him into a trap on the outside. Yano of course gets a win that way, but I don’t think Yano’s going to do much better than that. As for Jonah, maybe this is one of his few losses and he steamrolls whoever is next.

ZSJ VS Kenta was great stuff, especially the character work of saying the other is the Young Boy. ZSJ gets a great win over Kenta, the Dangerous Tekkers are keeping pace with each other, and to me, ZSJ has an outside shot at this. If NJPW sees him as good enough to be New Japan Cup winner, why can’t he at least be a G1 Semifinalist? The main event was a bit of a surprise to me, but that was a pretty great win for Juice over Takagi. Juice also had a good promo more or less calling out everyone in D Block. Juice talking smack on Yujiro but saying ELP is cool makes me think there really is a divide between House of Torture and mainline Bullet Club, so I hope they get to that civil war I’ve been fantasy booking. And of course Juice calls out Ospreay over the “legality” of who is US Champion, can’t wait to see that.

My Score: 8.9/10