NJPW brings out some heavy hitters tonight!

The G1 Climax continues and things are heating up! But will Tetsuya Naito make everyone chill out and tranquilo in tonight’s main event?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Bad Dude Tito & JONAH VS Royce Isaacs & Tom Lawlor; Tito & Jonah win.
• 8 Man Tag: The United Empire VS El Phantasmo & The House of Torture; The United Empire wins.
• Kazuchika Okada & YOSHI-HASHI VS Toru Yano & Ryohei Oiwa; Okada & Hashi win.
• Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii & Kosei Fujita VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Suzuki-Gun; LIJ wins.
• G1 Climax 32, D Block: David Finlay VS Yujiro Takahashi; Yujiro wins.
• G1 Climax 32, B Block: Tama Tonga VS Chase Owens; Tama wins.
• G1 Climax 32, A Block: Lance Archer VS Bad Luck Fale; Fale wins.
• G1 Climax 32, C Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Hirooki Goto; Goto wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

G1 Climax 32, D Block: David Finlay VS Yujiro Takahashi w/ Pieter!

The Rebel is on his own after Juice Robinson ditched him for Bullet Club, but that means he can finally show what he can do on his own! But will the Tokyo Pimp make Finlay feel impotent? Or will Finlay slap the Pimp Juice out of Yujiro?

The bell rings and the two circle. They feel out the grapple, Finlay shoots in for a leg, gets around to a waistlock, and he drags Yujiro down. Finlay rolls around with Yujiro but Yujiro gets the ropebreak! The ref counts, Finlay lets off and talks a little smack on Yujiro. They reset and approach, but Yujiro dodges to pie face Finlay. Finlay rushes in but Yujiro kicks low, wrenches an arm, but Finlay switches to hammerlock Yujiro. Yujiro wrenches through to hammerlock back. Finlay steps through the ropes to wrap Yujiro’s arm on the ropes, and then he kicks Yujiro as he lets off. Finlay then snap suplexes, covers, TWO!

Finlay keeps on Yujiro with a headlock and he grinds Yujiro down. Yujiro fights up, and he BITES Finlay’s hand! The ref reprimands, Yujiro whips Finlay but Finlay turns him around for a backslide! TWO, but Finlay ghost pins, TWO! Finlay dropkicks Yujiro out and fans fire up! Finlay then PLANCHAS, but Yujiro gets clear! Finlay hobbles and Yujiro whips him into railing! Yujiro brings Finlay around to the ramp, and fisherman’s! Finlay fights it, suplexes Yujiro, but Yujiro slips out to REVERSE DDT to the floor! The ref checks on Finlay but he’s okay to continue. Fans rally up as Yujiro drags Finlay up.

The ring count starts, Yujiro brings Finlay around and into the ring at 5 of 20. Yujiro then rains down forearms! Cover, ONE! Yujiro is annoyed but the fans rally as he runs. SLIDING BOOT! Cover, TWO! Finlay sits up and throws body shots and forearms! Yujiro knees low, puts Finlay in a corner and throws back elbows. Yujiro runs to BOOT Finlay down! Fans applaud and Yujiro brings Finlay up for a leg sweep FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans applaud again as Finlay is still in this. Yujiro gets Finlay’s arms for a motorcycle stretch! Finlay endures, fights up, and turns it around, only for Yujiro to turn it back around!

Yujiro stands on Finlay’s shoulder, pulls on the arms, but Finlay fights up. Finlay runs to a corner to send Yujiro into the buckles! Fans rally as Finlay is free, but Yujiro runs back in. Finlay blocks the boot! And hits a NECKBREAKER! Fans applaud while both men are down! Finlay starts to rally on Yujiro with big elbows and fans fire up. Yujiro runs, into a SIDE SLAM! Finlay kips up and fans fire up with him as he runs in at Yujiro, BIG uppercut! Finlay pushes Yujiro down, goes up, but Yujiro bails out. Finlay hops down to PLANCHA! Direct hit this time and fans fire up again! Finlay drags Yujiro up and hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX!

Finlay shoves Yujiro in and drags Yujiro up. Yujiro swings, into the IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up while Yujiro writhes. Finlay rallies the fans and runs in, BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Yujiro is still in this but Finlay keeps his focus. Finlay drags Yujiro up again, reels him in, but Yujiro fights the lift. Yujiro wrenches out, and he again BITES Finlay’s hand! Finlay grabs at Yujiro’s face but Yujiro whips him to ropes. Finlay reverses, Yujiro holds ropes and FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS Finlay down! Fans fire up again while both men are down. Yujiro gets up as the fans rally, and he brings Finlay up to put on the ropes.

Yujiro backs up to BOOT Finlay! And then fisherman for the FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Finlay is still in this. Yujiro crawls over to Finlay and brings him up again. Yujiro hoists Finlay up to the top rope, climbs up after him, and hooks the leg! Finlay fights off the Super Fisherman and fans fire up! Finlay CLUBS Yujiro, goes up and over him, SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Yujiro survives but Finlay is all fired up! Fans fire up with Finlay and he slashes his throat. Finlay drags Yujiro up, reels him in, but SHO appears! The House of Torture lost earlier but they won’t let Yujiro lose here!

Finlay storms up on Sho and he backs off, and Yujiro reels Finlay into the INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Finlay survives that sneakiness! But Sho slides Yujiro his pimp cane! The ref stops Yujiro from using the cane and takes it away, so Yujiro LOW BLOWS Finlay while the ref isn’t looking! Yujiro reels Finlay in for PIMP JUICE! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and fans fire up! Sho is furious but the count was the count! Fans rally up as Yujiro drags Finlay back up. Sho distracts the ref, Finlay gets around and shoves Yujiro into Sho! Sho goes down, Finlay staggers into the PRIMA NOCTA STUNNER! Cover, TWO!?!

Finlay can’t believe Yujiro survives! Fans rally up behind Finlay and he roars! He drags Yujiro back up, reels him in, suplex, but Yujiro knees free! BIG JUI- NO, Finlay slips out and gets around to O’Conner Roll! TWO, and Sho CLOBBERS Finlay with his wrench!! The ref missed that, too, and Yujiro drags Finlay up for BIG JUICE!! Cover, Yujiro wins!

Winner: Yujiro Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Finlay earns 0)

The House of Torture always finds a way! But will the Tokyo Pimp be able to get more assists like that the deeper he goes into the block? Will Finlay be able to redeem himself in the next round, against his former partner, Juice Robinson?

G1 Climax 32, B Block: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS Chase Owens!

The Good Bad Guy has vowed vengeance on the Bullet Club, but hasn’t had the best of luck. Will he turn things around against the Crown Jewel? Or will Chase pull of a heist and take those first two points?

Tama CROSSBODIES off the corner to take down Chase before the bell! Tama fires off fists, the ref rings the bell to get this on record, and Tama fires off haymakers. Tama whips Chase to the ropes, then back drops him! Chase writhes and fans fire up! Tama stalks Chase, wondering where he thinks he’s going. Chase grabs at the apron skirt but Tama gets him in the ring. Tama drags Chase up, knees low, whips to ropes, but Chase holds ropes and bails out. Tama waits on Chase and Chase says if Tama wants to fight, then okay! The ring count starts, Chase slides in at 5 of 20 but then slides right back out.

Jado steps up to Chase to tell him to get in the ring. Chase SUPERKICKS Jado down instead! Tama rushes out to check on Jado and Chase runs away. Tama chases Chase into the ring, but Chase bails right back out. Then he slides back in to WRECK Tama with a dropkick! Chase runs, but Tama slides in and follows! But Chase dodges to BOOT Tama out! Tama is on the apron but Chase storms up to drag him up. Chase blocks a punch to ROCK Tama, then trip Tama and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP him into the railing! Tama falls in a heap and Chase talks trash on Jado. Fans rally for the “GOOD BAD GUY! GOOD BAD GUY!”

Chase drags Tama up for a NECKBREAKER to the floor! Chase dares Ryusuke Taguchi to Too Sweet him from commentary, and he does?! Does Taguchi not understand what’s going on? Chase leaves Tama behind as the ring count climbs. Tama is still down at 10 of 20, but he manages to sit up at 13. Fans rally, Tama stands at 16, wobbles and gets in at 17! Chase stomps Tama, whips him to ropes, then CLOBBERS him with an elbow! Cover, TWO! Chase goes to a corner and climbs up. Tama stands, Chase leaps, DOUBLE AX HANDLE! Fans fire up and Chase blows boogers at Jado. Jado coaches Tama while Chase unties the blue corner pad.

Chase has the Bullet Club Special in play but Tama throws body shots! Tama whips but Chase reverses to KNEE SMASH, KNEE LIFT and RUNNING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Tama is still in this and Chase is annoyed. Chase has his knee on Tama’s neck while he argues with the ref. The ref sees the choke and Chase lets off. Tama sputters but Chase drags him up to headlock. Chase tells the ref to check Jado, and he throws a headlock punch! Tama falls, Chase clamps onto a chinlock! Fans rally as Tama endures. Tama fights up, throws body shots, but Chase cravats for a neck wrench!

Tama endures again but the fans still rally. Tama throws a body shot but now Chase has a facelock! Chase traps an arm as he squeezes tight but Tama throws more body shots with the free arm. Chase uppercuts then scoops to SLAM Tama down! Chase then goes to a corner and climbs up again. Tama stands, but he body shots Chase’s ax handle away! Fans fire up and Tama stands back up. Chase is after him but Tama uppercuts! And again! Chase kicks low, whips Tama to a safe corner, but Tama bounces off the buckle pad to CLOBBER Chase! Fans fire up and rally as Tama stands again. Tama rallies on Chase with more lariats and elbows!

Chase swings, Tama dodges and fires off a strike fest! Fans fire up as Tama runs at Chase in the corner, STINGER SPLASH! And then a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Tama keeps cool and Jado coaches him up. Fans rally behind Tama as he watches Chase. Tama reels Chase in, but Chase arm-drags free! Chase SOBATS, then hops on to SUNSET BOMB Tama into a corner! Chase gets some space as fans rally up again. Chase runs in, forearm smashes then short arm LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Chase drags Tama up into a half nelson, spin and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Tama is still in this and fans fire up!

Chase aims from the corner while Tama crawls. Chase says BANG and runs in, but into a SUPERMAN PUNCH! Chase back elbows, Tama PELES! Tama fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Fans fire up as Tama climbs up a corner, SUPREME FLOW FLOPS as Chase moves! Tama writhes and Chase drags himself out of the ring. Fans rally up while Chase goes around the way. Chase pulls up floor mats?! Chase is planning something really nasty here. He goes back for Tama, drags him out of the ring, and brings him to the bare patch! The ref warns Chase, but Jado puts the mats back! Chase sees that while fans fire up!

Chase glares at Jado and tells him to go to his corner. Chase then brings a chair out from under the ring! “This is because of you, you understand? I’m gonna knock his head off!” But Jado snatches the chair from Chase! Chase and Jado fight over the chair, Jado shoves Chase into a back drop from Tama! Tama puts Chase in fast, goes up top fast, and SUPREME FLOWS!! Cover, TWO!! Chase survives but Tama pulls off the vest! Tama aims at Chase, and he pounds the mat. Fans rally up with it, Chase stands, GUN- NO, Chase powers out of Gun Stun to BLINDSIDE C TRIGGER! Chase drags Tama up, reels him in and tucks the arms, but Tama GUN-

NO, Chase blocks the stunner at the last moment! Chase rolls Tama up, with tights! TWO!! Chase hurries to get Tama again, but Tama gets him for a cradle! TWO!! Fans fire up and Chase waistlocks, but Tama switches. Chase switches, shoves Tama at the bare buckles, but Tama goes up the corner! FLYING GUN- NO, Chase blocks again and RAMS Tama into the buckles! Chase tucks Tama in, but no piledriver! Tama trips Chase to CATAPULT Chase into the buckles! GUN STUN!!! Cover, Tama wins!

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

The Good Bad Guy thwarts the heist and hits the mark! Will this win be the first of many for Tama in the G1?

G1 Climax 32, A Block: Lance Archer VS Bad Luck Fale!

The Murderhawk Monster is back in Japan, representing Suzuki-Gun AND All Elite Wrestling in this tournament! But will #EverybodyDie? Or will the Rogue General take Archer out with a Grenade?

Archer makes his entrance, and Fale goes after Archer while he’s on the corner! Fale brings Archer into the crucifix position while the ref rings the bell to get this on record! Archer fights free, runs, and RAMS shoulders! Neither man budges and fans fire up. Archer loves it, too, and he dares Fale to try. Fale runs, RAMS shoulders, but Archer doesn’t move! Archer choke grips but Fale throws body shots! Fale whips Archer, Archer goes up and over then runs, but Fale runs him over! Fans fire up and Fale glares at Archer. Fale stands on Archer for a cover but Archer is up before Red Shoes even counts. Archer flips Fale off, so Fale ROCKS Archer with a right hand!

Fale stalks Archer to a corner and fires off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands, Fale lets off and dumps Archer out. Fale then follows Archer to CLAW his back! Archer goes around the corner, Fale CHOKES him with his own ponytail! Red Shoes reprimands and the ring count starts. Fale lets off then whips Archer, only for Archer to reverse! Fale hits railing hard, closing the gap of No Man’s Land! Fans fire up and the ring count is past 10 of 20! Archer drags Fale up at 14, puts him in at 15, and stomps Fale down. Archer clamps on with a chinlock but Fale endures. Archer laughs but Fale pulls at his hair.

Archer pulls on Fale’s nose but Red Shoes reprimands. Archer lets off with a shove and fans fire up. Archer stomps Fale, drags him up, and bumps him off buckles. Archer ROCKS Fale with a forearm, and fans rally up as Archer ROCKS him again. Archer brings Fale out but Fale throws body shots! Fale ROCKS Archer in return, then whips him to ropes. Archer reverses and he BOOTS Fale! Fale tumbles out of the ring and fans fire up again. Archer goes out after Fale and fans rally up. Archer stomps Fale, drags him up but Fale throat chops! Fale whips Archer hard into railing! The railings don’t travel as far with Archer, though.

Fale goes looking under the ring, and he brings out a chair! Red Shoes tells Fale no, and even stands between him and Archer! The fans cheer Red Shoes and he takes the chair away. So Fale just grabs another chair! But Red Shoes snatches that one away quickly! Fans cheer again so Fale just POSTS Archer instead. Fale grabs one of the chairs, sits it up, and then brings another chair over. Fale sits that chair to face the other, and brings Archer up. Archer ROCKS Fale with forearm after forearm! Archer CLUBS Fale, brings him around to SMACK off railing, and fans fire up. The ring count starts again, Archer CLUBS and ROCKS Fale more!

Archer brings Fale over to his chairs but Fale hits back. Fale CLUBS Archer, the count is past 10 of 20, Fale scoops and SLAMS Archer on the chairs!! Fale gets in the ring at 15 but Archer’s still down! Fans fire up, Archer sits up at 19 and spring sin at 19.99!! Archer survives and Fale is furious! Fale storms up on Archer to kick him low. Fans rally and Fale runs in, but Archer BOOTS him! Archer runs and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!! Archer is furious now but fans fire up again. Archer catches his breath and fans are thunderous as he brings Fale up. Archer CLUBS Fale, knuckle locks, and he goes up the corner!

Fans fire up as Archer gives us his take on Old School! But Fale hits the ropes to trip Archer up! Archer tumbles down after landing on his murderhawk, and Fale fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Archer survives again and Fale is frustrated. Fans continue to rally, and Fale drags Archer up. Fale goes up a corner?! But Archer’s right up and he STEP UP KNEES Fale! Archer fires up and fans fire up with him! Archer manages to inverted crucifix carry Fale! But Fale fights off and CLUBS Archer away! Fale runs in but only gets buckles, and Archer comes back with a back elbow! Fans fire up as Archer climbs up and rains down fists!

Fans clap along as Archer punches again and again, but Fale stops him before 10! Fale brings Archer around, but Archer HEADSCISSORS Fale out of the ring! Fale falls onto his own chairs! Archer goes to the apron and watches Fale stand. Fans rally as Fale slowly stands up, and Archer CANNONBALLS! Direct hit and fans are thunderous for Archer! Archer drags Fale up as the ring count starts again. Fale throws forearms and CLUBS Archer. Fale gets on the apron but Archer trips him up! The count is 10 of 20 as Archer climbs up. Fale sweeps the leg! Fale and Archer both choke grip at 15 of 20! GRENADE!!

Archer falls, Fale gets in, the count is 20!! FALE WINS!

Winner: Bad Luck Fale, by count-out (gains 2 points; Archer earns 0)

Archer is furious! He was red hot here but couldn’t finish Fale off! Fale wins by escaping him, will Archer take his anger out on his next opponent? Will Fale be able to keep this up when he’s got the Imperial Unit, Jeff Cobb, coming for him?

G1 Climax 32, C Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Hirooki Goto!

The Uncontrollable Charisma made a deal with the other Los Ingobernables de Japon heavyweights to meet in the semifinals, but Sanada and Takagi each lost already. Will Naito take the lead for LIJ? Or will the Fierce Warrior be the one to make Naito tranquilo?

Naito takes his time with his entrance attire, as is his want. Goto is patient, putting away his own jacket and NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship belt. Naito finishes up, the bell rings, and fans rally up. Goto and Naito circle slowly, then approach and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Goto manages to push Naito to the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Naito turns things around but Goto turns it back around. Goto lets off with a pat on the shoulder and fans applaud. Naito keeps cool, circles with Goto again, and feel out a knuckle lock. Naito tries to reel Goto in but Goto gets away, and they tie up collar ‘n’ elbow.

Naito gets an arm, then a waistlock. Goto wrenches out and wristlocks but Naito rolls. Naito wrenches Goto, hammerlocks, but Goto slips around to headlock. Goto hits a takeover and fans applaud while Naito keeps his shoulders up. Naito grabs at Goto’s face, rolls him to a cover, ONE! Naito tries again, ONE! Naito fights up, pulls hair, and he puts Goto on the ropes. Red Shoes calls for the break again, Naito fakes a forearm but pats Goto’s shoulder. Then he pulls on Goto’s arm in the ropes! Red Shoes reprimands and Naito lets off. Naito CLUBS Goto to a corner, whips him corner to corner, but Goto comes back to run Naito over!

Fans fire up while Naito gets to a corner. Goto runs in but Naito boots him away! Naito runs at Goto but into a hip toss! Goto drops an elbow but misses, and Naito kicks Goto to ropes. Naito whips and elbows Goto, then fires off forearms! Naito whips Goto to ropes, but Goto counters hip toss with a hip toss! Goto runs but Naito bails out! Naito cools things off and catches his breath. Goto dares him to get back in the ring and fans rally up. Naito takes his time and then slides into the ring, only to slide back out. Naito tells Goto to tranquilo but the ring count starts. Naito goes around the way, slides in at 5 but right back out.

Naito goes around the way again as the count restarts. Fans rally up, Naito smirks and lets the past get to 10 of 20. Naito slides in at 12, but then right back out again. Goto is annoyed so he goes out after Naito! Naito BOOTS and CLUBS Goto, then whips him into railing! Naito suckered Goto in, and now he runs, but into Goto’s boot! Goto rushes Naito, but Naito dodges and Goto hits the post! Naito wrenches Goto, CLUBS the arm, and then wraps Goto’s arm around railing! Red Shoes reprimands, Naito lets off, and he drags Goto up. The ring count starts again as Naito wrenches and fans rally. Naito SLAMS Goto’s arm into the post!

The count is 10 of 20, then 13 as Naito gets in. Goto is down at 15, but he rises at 16 and slides in at 19! Naito drags Goto up, snapmares him and wraps onto the bad arm with a short arm scissor! Goto endures, kicks and flails, but Naito holds on tight. Goto moves around, reaches out with a leg, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Naito holds on while Red Shoes counts, and Naito lets off with a thrash at 4. Naito stomps Goto down, drags Goto up, then CLUBS him back down! Naito throws more forearms but Goto hits back. Naito CLUBS the bad arm and Goto drops to his knees. Fans rally up as Naito gives Goto toying kicks.

Naito CLUBS away on Goto, but Goto CHOPS! So Naito YANKS the arm! Naito scuffs Goto, kicks him to a corner, and kicks him more. Fans rally up, Naito keeps giving scuffing kicks, then he CLUBS Goto again. Naito throws forearms, back elbows, and Goto sits down. Naito stands on Goto’s arm at the ropes but Red Shoes counts. Naito lets off at 4, drags Goto up and brings him around. Fans rally as Naito CLUBS away on Goto’s neck. Naito gives more toying kicks but Goto eggs him on! Naito kicks the bad arm! Naito scuffs Goto again, but fans still rally up. Goto eggs Naito on so Naito gives him more kicks.

Naito kicks but Goto blocks! But Naito ROCKS Goto first! Goto blocks another boot, spins Naito around, but Naito elbows free of the waistlock! Naito runs but Goto follows, to LARIAT Naito down! Fans fire up while both men are down! Goto rises first as the fans rally, and he brings Naito up to fire off forearms! Goto has Naito in the corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to MURAMASA! Naito staggers into the BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up with Naito still in this, but Goto drags Naito up. Goto fireman’s carries, Naito flails and gets free, but Goto throws forearms! Goto runs, into an elbow! Naito adds a basement dropkick!

Naito gets Goto up, dragon sleeper for the BACKBREAKER, into the LEG LOCK NELSON! Naito even adds a top wristlock to keep Goto down! Goto endures, kicks and moves around as fans rally up, and Goto reaches out for a ROPEBREAK! Naito holds on, then claims he needs help. Red Shoes counts, Naito puts on more pressure! Red Shoes reprimands, and Naito lets Goto go. Fans rally up and Naito stands over Goto. Naito drags Goto up, whips him to a corner, and runs in to JUMP KICK! Then leg sweep and the swing in, COMBINACION CABRON! Naito poses and fans fire up more! Naito drags Goto back up to put him on the top rope.

Naito climbs up after Goto, fans fire up and Naito SUPER STEINERS! Goto flounders and Naito aims from the corner. Goto stands, Naito runs in, CORRIENDO- NO, Goto powers out to ROCK Naito! But Naito hits a SPIENBUSTER! Naito drags Goto up, but Goto drags him down into an omoplata! Goto gets the far arm, SHORYU KEKKAI! Naito endures as Goto bends the arm and even the fingers! Fans rally, Goto clamps it on tight, but Naito moves around! Naito reaches out with his legs but Goto rolls him away! He adds on a chin crusher, SHORYU HENKEI!! Naito endures, kicks around, but he’s fading!

Red Shoes checks on Naito, fans are rallying up, and Naito uses one last kick to get the ROPEBREAK! Goto lets go and fans are thunderous as Naito survives! Goto is frustrated but he gets back to his feet. Goto drags Naito up, but Naito fires a forearm! Goto fires back, so Naito throws another forearm! Goto throws another in return, so Naito throws another. Fans rally up as the forearms go back and forth, faster and faster! Goto wobbles but he still throws a forearm. Naito fires off several forearms, CLUBS the bad arm again and again, then throws those heavy back elbows! Goto wobbles again and Naito kicks, but Goto dodges to DISCUS LARIAT!

Fans fire up again while both men are down! Goto rises, drags Naito up, and reels him in. Naito fights the back suplex, but Goto wrist clutches, JIGOKU KURAMA! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives the wrist clutch Olympic slam but Goto drags him back up to fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives again! Goto fires up and fans fire up with him. Goto drags Naito back up, dragon sleepers, but Naito throws haymakers! Goto blocks that, spins Naito around and fireman’s carries, but Naito fights off to ROLLING KICK! Naito whips, Goto reverses but Naito FLYING FOREARMS!

Fans are thunderous, Naito runs in at Goto, CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Cover, TWO?!!? Naito doesn’t let that slow him down, he just points to the sky and brings Goto up again. Naito wrenches but Goto elbows him away. Naito ENZIGURIS, then scoops for- NO, Goto slips out. Goto baits Naito in, and puts him in the corner! DRAPING SHOUTO!! Goto uses the corner as a substitute for Yoshi-Hashi! Fans are thunderous again as Naito and Goto stir. Goto drags himself to the ropes, then uses the ropes to get up. Naito crawls to center, Goto roars as he stands and takes aim, BUZZSAW! Naito stands back up, into a fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!!!

Naito survives and the fans are thunderous again! But Goto grits his teeth, he isn’t done yet! Goto roars, drags Naito back up, and dragon sleepers for- NO, Naito spins around, a suplex to a BRAINBUSTER!! Naito drags Goto back up, wrench and tilt- NO, no Destino! SHOUTEN KAI!! Fans are electric as Goto is pulling out his greatest hits! Goto dragon sleepers, he still has his best to give! G T R!!! Cover, Goto wins!!

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

Naito’s Destino was denied! All of LIJ is down 0-1 in the G1! Will Naito, Sanada and Takagi be able to rise in the second round and beyond? Or is this already a bad sign for the ungovernable?

As for Goto, he catches his breath before getting the mic. “The first summer G1 in three years… It rules! Now THIS is G1!” Fans applaud in agreement. “But over the last three years, I’ve had a lot taken from me. It’s time to take it all back! And fight to the front!” Fans like the sound of that! Goto continues to say, “This G1 Climax is MY REVENGE! I’ll live, thrive and survive!” Fans applaud as Goto drops the mic, will Goto return to the top and finally become world champion?

My Thoughts:

A great third day for the G1 Climax, though not quite as strong as the first two. Finlay VS Yujiro got going but it had a slow start and fans didn’t quite respond to it with the energy I expected. The House of Torture of course cheats, and now Finlay VS Juice has a touch more heat going into it. The only thing is, I don’t see Finlay winning that, so it seems a bit unfair he lost to start his G1. As for Juice, I feel like he could get on a run until he collides with Ospreay. Really good stuff from Tama VS Chase, though I’m a little surprised Chase countered the Gun Stun that many times. Tama still hits it and still gets the win, he might be able to have a great showing in the B Block.

Archer VS Fale was really good stuff from these two behemoths, but a count-out victory feels like a bit of a copout. Archer is still strong because he didn’t lose to Fale’s finisher, but Archer will definitely win the next one to make up for this. And Goto VS Naito was awesome stuff, and I was quite surprised to see Goto win this one. But it does serve a dual purpose: all the LIJ entrants are equal right now, all having lost this first round; they can keep pace with each other all the same, perhaps all redeeming themselves in the next round. And Goto gets a great win and gives us a promo to close out to show some fire as he looks to win another G1 after 14 years.

My Score: 8.7/10