Will Tetsuya Naito avoid going 0-3?

Tetsuya Naito has had a rough start to G1 Climax 32, and it could get rougher taking on EVIL! Will the King of Darkness end Naito’s WrestleKingdom dreams?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii & Ryohei Oiwa VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
• Bad Dude Tito & JONAH VS Tom Lawlor & Royce Isaacs; Tito & Jonah win.
• Six Man Tag: David Finlay, Tama Tonga & Jado VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Suzuki-Gun; LIJ wins.
• G1 Climax, A Block: Jeff Cobb VS Lance Archer; Cobb wins.
• G1 Climax, D Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS Juice Robinson; Hashi wins.
• G1 Climax, B Block: Jay White VS Chase Owens; White wins.
• G1 Climax, A Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Bad Luck Fale; Okada wins.
• G1 Climax, C Block: Tetsuya Naito VS EVIL; Naito wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

G1 Climax, A Block: Jeff Cobb VS Lance Archer!

The Imperial Unit and the Murderhawk Monster are each 1-1, falling in the first but redeeming themselves in the second. But now in the third, only one giant can stand tall! Who moves on as 2-1 in this block of behemoths?

As Archer makes his way out, he CLOBBERS a Young Lion! Back to his old ways not that he’s back in Japan, it seems. He glares at another Young Lion, and SLAPS him down! Cobb tells Archer to focus on him, not the rookies. The bell rings and the two get face to face. Archer has the height advantage but Cobb isn’t intimidated. Fans rally as the two fire up and rush in! They RAM shoulders, but neither falls. Archer eggs Cobb on, Cobb runs, Archer drops and hurdles! And then hip tosses, but Cobb handsprings through!? Fans fire up as Cobb ducks the back elbow. Cobb whips but Archer goes up and over!

Things keep moving, but Cobb LEAPING SHOULDER TACKLES! Cobb grins as he says “You Can’t See Me!” But Archer grabs his arm to help with the kip up! Archer arm-drags Cobb, things keep moving, and Cobb hurdles. Archer fires off forearms, then a SHOTGUN dropkick! Cobb tumbles out of the ring and fans fire up! Cobb goes around the way, Archer waits on him. But then Archer builds speed!? Cobb moves, so Archer goes to the apron. CANNONBALL! Cobb and a Young Lion go down while the fans fire up again. Archer drags Cobb up, reels him in, but Cobb ducks the lariat to ROCK Archer! Cobb then suplexes, but Archer blocks!

Cobb still tries but Archer shoves him away. Cobb comes back but Archer pops him up into the ropes! Cobb flounders, Archer choke grips to APRON CHOKE SLAM! Fans fire up as Cobb flops back down! Archer snarls and he drags Cobb up while fans rally, “LANCE AR-CHER!” “JEFF COB-BU!” Archer gets Cobb in the ring, stands over him, and sits him up to rain down a punch! Archer tells the ref to shut up about the punches as he throws down more fists. Archer knuckle locks Cobb, goes to the corner and gives us some Old School! But Cobb yanks him off the top for an ATHLETIC PLEX! Fans fire up for that feat of strength!

Archer gets to a corner, Cobb runs in to clothesline! Cobb whips Archer out to send him back in, then hits a big back elbow! Cobb brings Archer around to suplex! And he holds Archer up for the RUNNING SLAM! Fans fire up, Cobb crawls to a cover, ONE!! Cobb stomps Archer but Archer shoves him away. Cobb stomps Archer again, to surf on Archer! Cobb mocks the song, “Every body dies~!” before he steps off. Fans rally up as Cobb stands Archer up to LARIAT! But Archer stays up! Cobb LARIATS again but Archer is still up! Cobb runs, but Archer follows to CROSSBODY, into Cobb’s arms?!

Archer fights with elbows but Cobb holds on! Cobb swings Archer, but Archer turns that into a DDT! Fans fire up as both big men are down! Archer drags Cobb up, whips him to ropes, but Cobb reverses. Archer LEAPS for a CROSSBODY! It hits this time, and Archer covers, TWO! Fans rally up as Archer drags Cobb up. Cobb throat chops! Cobb runs, but he just fakes Archer out! DROPKICK! Cover, ONE!! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Archer survives but Cobb keeps on him. Cobb whips Archer but Archer blocks to CLUB and ROCK Cobb! Archer whips but Cobb reverses to scoop! TOUR- NO, Archer slips off to full nelson!

Cobb elbows free of the hold and runs the ropes, but Archer goes perpendicular to DERAIL Cobb! Fans fire up and Archer drags Cobb back up. Archer ripcords to HELLICOASTER! Cover, TWO! Cobb survives but Archer keeps cool. Fans rally up, Archer stomps around and they follow his beat. Cobb rises, Archer choke grips, CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!!! Cobb survives and fans fire up again! Archer grins and gnashes his teeth. Archer starts to salivate as he watches Cobb get to a corner. Archer runs in corner to corner, but Cobb dodges! Roll-up, TWO! Cobb gets up but Archer BOOTS him down! Fans rally as Archer drags Cobb up.

Archer puts Cobb in the corner, and he tells Cobb he messed up! Archer runs corner to corner to ELBOW Cobb down! Fans fire up and Archer says he’s bringing Cobb up. Archer hoists Cobb up top, ROCKS him with a haymaker, then climbs up after Cobb. Fans fire up more as Archer brings Cobb up. But Cobb throws body shots, and he HEADBUTTS Archer away! Cobb adjusts on the top rope, but Archer comes back with a STEP-UP KNEE! Cobb flops over but Archer sits Cobb up. Archer inverted crucifix lifts Cobb, but Cobb slips off! GERMAN SUPLEX! But Archer’s right back up!? Choke grip, but Cobb breaks free to GERMAN SUPLEX!

Archer and Cobb get up, Archer swings but into another GERMAN SUPLEX! Archer flounders up and he eggs Cobb on! Cobb ROCKS Archer with a right hand! Cobb whips Archer, scoops him, and hits a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, Cobb wins!

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

The Murderhawk Monster falls, does he have a chance to stay alive in the G1? As for Cobb, he is 2-1, just behind the Rainmaker. Can the #IchibanKaiju keep going, hoping Okada makes a mistake?

G1 Climax, D Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS Juice Robinson!

The Headhunter was slayed by The Dragon in his first G1 match this year, while The Booster is reeling from a shocker loss to The Rebel! Will Hashi #GetBackUp and get on the board? Or will Juice be the one to #TurnItAllAround this round?

Hashi makes his entrance then hops off the corner, and Juice attacks! The bell rings to put this on record and Juice drags Hashi up to ROCK with left hands! Hashi falls, Juice rains down fists, but the ref counts. Juice lets off and argues the closed fist stuff. Juice drags Hashi up and tosses Hashi out! Juice goes out after Hashi, and whips him into railing! And then again! And then again! Juice talks trash on English commentary before he scoops Hashi to SNAKE EYES off the railing! The ref reprimands and fans rally up, but Juice drags Hashi’s jacket off him. Juice wipes his butt on the jacket then throws it away.

Juice puts Hashi in the ring, drags Hashi back up, and reels him in for a PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and Juice is shocked! Juice argues with the ref, that count wasn’t fast enough! That was a piledriver, for crying out loud! Juice drags Hashi back up, throws him back out, and then pulls up some floor mats! He even shoves some over the railing at Japanese commentary! Juice storms over to drag Hashi up and bring him around. The ring count starts but Juice brings Hashi up! Hashi fights the driver to lift Juice up, but Juice CLUBS Hashi on the back! The count is 10 of 20 and Juice hauls Hashi up, but Hashi RANAS Juice into a POST!

Fans fire up as the count is 15! Hashi gets up and in at 17 but Juice is still down! Juice gets in at 19.99!! Fans rally up and Juice claims something is wrong with his eye. The ref checks, it seems okay to him. Juice gets up, Hashi storms over to him and CHOPS! Fans rally up for Hashi as he CHOPS again! And CHOPS! Juice grits his teeth but Hashi CHOPS him again! Hashi CHOPS again, but Juice turns things around. Hashi dodges the chop to CHOP and CHOP and CHOP and CHOP! Juice says F U but he misses again! Hashi CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS, again and again and again! Fans fire up as Hashi is making Juice into ground beef!

Juice sits down and fans fire up more! Hashi drags Juice up to whip but Juice blocks, so Hashi CHOPS! And mule kicks! Hashi suplexes to hang Juice out to dry. Hashi runs to dropkick Juice down! Then he keeps going, basement dropkick! Cover, ONE!! Juice is still in this but Hashi looms over him. Fans rally up, Hashi drags Juice up to fisherman, but Juice fights it. So Hashi wrenches, CHOPS, and runs. Juice ELBOWS him at the ropes! Juice powers up, runs, but Hashi dodges to BLOCKBUSTER! Fans fire up as Juice and Hashi go to corners. Hashi runs corner to corner, to CHOP! Juice is stinging as he staggers out.

Hashi goes up, aims and FLYING BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up more as Hashi keeps his cool. Hashi drags Juice up, reels him in, full nelsons and spins, pump handle, but no Karma! Juice elbows free, but Hashi CHOPS! Hashi reels Juice in, fisherman to KUMAGOROSHI! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Juice saves himself by inches but the fans fire up again. Hashi drags Juice up and full nelsons, pump handle, but Juice pops out! Juice waistlocks and shoves Hashi at the ref! They avoid a collision but Juice rolls Hashi up! But with tights! The ref can see that clear as day! The ref stops the count and Juice is pissed! Juice shoves the ref, but the ref shoves Juice!

Juice gets up to get back in the ref’s face, but Hashi rolls him up! TWO!!! Juice escapes, he blocks Hashi’s superkick, but Hashi ducks the Left Hand o’ God! RIGHT HAND O’ GOD HITS! Then the chicken wings, the turn, PULP- NO, Hashi gest a SLEEPER! And he uses it to hit a BACKSTABBER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Hashi crawls to a corner and Juice sits up. Hashi runs in to BLINDSIDE KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Juice survives again but Hashi fires up! Hashi drags Juice up, reels him back in, full nelson and pump handle, but still no Karma! Juice throws elbows, rolls and wrenches Hashi, but Hashi CHOPS!

Hashi LARIATS, Juice LARIATS back! Hashi roars, bobs ‘n’ weaves, and SUPERKICKS! Juice staggers, Hashi runs as the fans fire up. but Juice catches Hashi to LEFT HAND O’ GOD!! And then the chicken wings, the turn, PULP- NO, SNAP DRAGON!! Hashi turns things around and the fans are thunderous! Hashi runs to LARIAT! And Hashi roars again, he wants to finish this! Full nelson, pump handle, KARMA!!! Cover, HASHI WINS!!!

Winner: Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Juice earns 0)

Another shocker for Rock Hard Robinson! A loss to David Finlay, a loss to Yoshi-Hashi, is Juice out of juice in the G1 already? As for Hashi, he got back up, but can he use this momentum to keep on going?

G1 Climax, B Block: Jay White w/ Gedo VS Chase Owens!

Bullet Club meets Bullet Club again as the Switchblade meets the Crown Jewel! But will Chase do the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion a favor and give him this win? Or will Chase pull off a heist on the Bullet Club captain?

White and Gedo Too Sweet, but White doesn’t want to Too Sweet Chase. Fans rally as the bell rings, and White gives Chase a push. Chase pushes back, and then they Too Sweet. White gets a big fat envelope of money from his corner to give to Chase and Chase accepts. White seems to make it worth Chase’s while to give up these points. But uh, check it after. It’s all there. Just trust White. Wait, what? White makes sure Abe-san the timekeeper holds onto that to keep it safe. But just don’t count it. Chase then lies down but then sits up. He just isn’t sure. Chase takes the envelope from Abe-san, and pulls what’s in it out.

Chase already sees something is amiss. The top two bills are legit, so he pockets those in his tights for about ¥20,000 (roughly $150 USD at today’s exchange rate). But the rest is just paper cut to the size and shape of the Yen bills! White says he put it all in there, he doesn’t understand! White defends his innocence but Chase wants his money! White hurries to check his belongings, but he claims ABE pulled something! Abe defends his innocence, showing his pockets are empty. White wants Chase to trust him but Chase wants to get paid. White says it’s okay, this was all just a joke. The champ’s good for it, he’ll get Chase the money backstage.

Chase says he doesn’t trust that, he wants to fight. White says fine, and they approach. Finger poke o’ doom!! Chase tells White to cover, but now White thinks Chase is going to pull something. Chase will just turn the cover to a cradle or something like that. Chase gets back up, saying he has no tricks. White can trust him! So White reels Chase in for a clinch! But Chase escapes Bladerunner! Chase wants to know what the heck, White apologizes, but White also points out what happened to lying down. Well what happened to the money? Chase wants to get back to the hotel as quickly as possible. White tells Gedo to explain it to Chase. Chase and Gedo argue, and White CLOBBERS Chase!

White CLUBS and STOMPS but Gedo makes White stop. This isn’t the plan! Chase was going to lie down! White isn’t so sure, but now Chase shoves White. Chase goes to his corner and White apologizes. They’ll just stick to the plan. But Chase hits a C-TRIGGER!! Cover, TWO!! White scrambles away and Gedo is freaking out! Chase goes out after White, “Where’s my money!?” Chase DECKS White, then drags him up. “Where’s my money!?” Chase RAMS White into railing! White staggers away but Chase drags him around to RAM into more railing! Chase wants White to pay up. Does Gedo have the money? Gedo says it’s in the locker room!

Chase drags White up, tucks him in, but Gedo shouts at him to hold on, they’re the same team! Chase accepts that and puts White in the ring instead. But then White clinches! Chase escapes again, runs in, but White puts Chase on the apron! White HOTSHOTS Chase down! White goes out to drag Chase up, but White decides not to ram Chase into railing. He also decides not to whip him into railing. White puts Chase in, but Chase cradles! TWO!! White LARIATS Chase down! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! White is frustrated but he puts Chase in the corner. White says Too Sweet, but he doesn’t chop. Chase CHOPS White, though!

Chase forearms, White kicks low and DDTs! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! White can’t believe Chase is doing this to him after the deal they made. White runs in at the corner to uppercut! And then BLADE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Chase is still in this but White hauls him up. Chase fights the clinch, but White knees low! Chase blocks that to CLUB the leg! Full nelson and spin to a NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up for Chase and he drags White up. Chase fireman’s carries, but White slips off to CHOP! Chase ends up in a corner, White swings but misses. Chase forearm smashes, snapmares and SHINING- NO, White ducks it to CHOP back!

White whips Chase, Chase reverses and then SUPERKICKS White down! Chase drags White up, runs in, SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! White survives but Chase keeps on him. Chase tucks White in, but Gedo gets on the apron to beg for mercy. Chase says to bring the money then! Gedo says hold on until after, but Chase isn’t going for that! But White back drops out of the driver! White keeps saying he has the money but Chase fires off haymakers and CHOPS! Chase whips but White blocks. White CLUBS Chase, Chase ELBOWS White! White CHOPS Chase, but Chase rebounds, into a COMPLETE SHOT!

Fans fire up while White drags himself over. White waistlocks and drags Chase up, but Chase throws elbows! White uses that to get Chase in a SAIDO! White gets Chase up, for the URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Chase survives and White is furious! White clamps onto Chase with a sleeper but Chase looks out. White wants the ref to check him. Chase is still in this, so White drags him up. VICTORY ROLL, TWO!!! Chase almost had White! White CHOPS Chase, then brings him up, to CHOP again! And CHOPS again! Chase falls over but White drags Chase up again. White runs, but Chase follows to C-TRIGGER! And then the tuck! PACKAGE-

White fights it, but Chase holds on! White keeps trying, so Chase lets him down, to hook him up for a STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!?!? White survives and fans fire up! Chase gets up and he goes to a corner. Fans rally up behind Chase, he aims at White, but White catches him! But Chase rolls through! White rolls out, dodges the C-Trigger and has the SLEEPER! But Chase fights the suplex! Chase backs White down but White sends him into buckles! C-TRIGGER on the return! Chase keeps moving, C-TRIGGER again!! Fans fire up, Chase reels White in and tucks him, but White slips out! BLADERUNNER OUTTA NOWHERE!! White covers, White wins!

Winner: Jay White, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Chase earns 0)

In the end, White wins and is 3-0, but this wasn’t how he wanted to do it. White may be undefeated in the “Jay1,” but is he going to lose control of Bullet Club dealing like this?

G1 Climax, A Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Bad Luck Fale!

Another battle from the block of beasts, and the Rainmaker is undefeated at 2-0! Okada conquered Jeff Cobb and he was ready for Toru Yano’s tricks, but will he be prepared for some Bad Luck? Or will even the Rogue General fall in this summer heat?

The bell rings and Okada rushes Fale with forearms! Fale stays up so Okada runs and RAMS him! Fale is still up, so Okada runs and RAMS again. Nope, Fale is still up. Okada keeps trying but Fale RAMS him! Okada staggers and fans rally up. Okada tries again, and he dropkicks a leg! Okada kicks away on that leg, then runs, and he ducks the clothesline to come back and runs Fale over! Fans fire up with Okada and he brings Fale back up. Okada tries to scoop but Fale CLUBS him. Fale scoops Okada but he slips off to roll Fale up! TWO, Okada runs but into a back drop! Fans fire up while Okada flops out of the ring.

Fans rally, the ring count starts, and Fale waits on Okada. Okada stirs at 5 of 20, sits up at 10, and stands at 15. Fale is there to guard the ropes, but Okada jukes to get in at 18! Fale stomps Okada at the ropes, then stands on his back! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Fale lets off at 4. Fale drags Okada up, and clamps on a BEARHUG! Okada endures, he CLUBS Fale, and fans rally. Fale squeezes tighter but Okada keeps throwing down elbows. Fale squeezes tighter again! And then RAMS Okada into a corner! Fale CLUBS Okada on the back again and again until Okada falls over. Fans rally for “O-KA-DA!” and he fires off forearms!

Fale throat chops Okada! Then ROCKS him with a right! Fale bumps Okada off buckles, throws big shots into Okada’s back, but fans continue to rally. Fale brings Okada around but Okada fires forearms! Fale throws body shots to back Okada down, then DECKS him with a right! Fans rally as Fale backs off. Okada drags himself up, Fale runs corner to corner, but Okada dodges the splash! Okada kicks low to DDT! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Okada and Fale rise, and Okada storms up on Fale. Okada fires forearms, whips but Fale reverses. Okada holds ropes, Fale runs in, but Okada drop toeholds him into ropes!

Okada gets moving to basement dropkick Fale! Fans fire up and Okada drags Fale up. Okada scoops but still can’t lift! Fale CLUBS Okada, whips him, but Okada ELBOWS Fale back! Okada scoops Fale to SLAM him! Okada gets Fale’s arm for a MONEY CLIP! Fale endures and fans rally up! Fale fights up, and he RAMS Okada into the corner! Okada flops out of the ring but fans rally up again. Fale goes out to fetch Okada, and whip him hard into railing! Okada falls down but Fale brings him back up. Fale gut wrenches to a crucifix, but Okada fights free! Okada kicks low and DDTs to the floor! Fans fire up while both men are down!

The ring count starts, and it climbs to 5 of 20. Okada sits up at 10 again, then stands at 12. Okada puts Fale in the ring at 15, and then he stalks Fale as he rises. Alabama Lift?! Okada manages it, to REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up as Okada goes to the corner and climbs up top! MACHO ELBOW! And of course, the Rainmaker Pose! Okada drags Fale up, ripcords and- NO, fireman’s carry for the SAMOAN DROP! Fans are thunderous as Fale and Okada are down again! Okada and Fale stir, but Fale is up first. Fale drags Okada up but Okada fires forearms and an uppercut! Okada runs, into a SPEAR from Fale! Cover, TWO!!

Fans fire up as Okada survives! Fale drags Okada around, then runs from a corner for the BIG ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Okada survives but Fale hurries to get him back up. GRE- NO, SHOTGUN from Okada! Okada dodges Fale on the rebound, and a DROPKICK takes Fale down! Okada hauls Fale up, ripcords, but Fale LARIATS first! Fale drags Okada back up, reloads, GRENADE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Okada survives being blown up and Fale can’t believe it! Fale drags Okada up, reels him in, and fans are thunderous as Fale gets Okada up. But Okada squirms free, to hit a NECKBREAKER! And MONEY CLIP!!

Fale endures as Okada thrashes him! Fale TAPS, Okada wins!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by submission (gains 2 points; Fale earns 0)

The Rainmaker is 3-0, the clear leader in this A Block! But with still so much of the G1 left, will Okada keep this going through the rest of the monsters?

G1 Climax, C Block: Tetsuya Naito VS EVIL!

It is almost unthinkable that the Uncontrollable Charisma is 0-2, tapping out to Zack Sabre Jr. and being trumped by The Ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi. And now, as if by fate, he runs into the King of Darkness! Will Naito admit Everything is Evil? Or can he stay tranquilo and thwart his archenemy to get on the board?

Evil stands right behind Naito as Naito raises his fist. Evil throws up the Too Sweet, calling back to the New Japan Cup betrayal! But Naito fights off the STO and arm-drags Evil away! Evil bails out, Naito skips taking off his entrance attire, and the bell rings to get this on record. Naito goes out after Evil but Evil kicks and whips. Naito reverses and Evil hits railing hard! Naito gets in the ring, fans rally up, and Naito finishes taking off his entrance attire. Evil gets up and tells Naito to back off. Red Shoes has Naito stay back but the ring count still starts. Evil goes looking under the ring as we approach 10 of 20, and he gets a chair!

Red Shoes reprimands as Evil throws the chair into the ring. Red Shoes grabs it but Naito isn’t tricked, he DECKS Evil off the apron! Naito builds speed, but Evil dodges, so Naito tranquilos! Evil is mad now because he fell for Naito’s favorite trick! Evil slides in fast but Naito kicks, CLUBS and CLUBS Evil to ropes. Naito pulls Evil into a corner by his hair! Red Shoes reprimands, Naito lets off at 4, and then he whips Evil corner to corner. Naito runs in but Evil BOOTS him! Dick Togo undoes the blue buckle pad behind Evil’s back! Naito runs in, Evil pulls the pad away, and Naito hits bare steel!

Naito checks his face, Evil brings him around to toss out. Naito hits railing on the way down but Evil goes out after him. Evil RAMS Naito into Abe-san! Down goes the timekeeper, as well as Naito! Red Shoes checks on everyone but Evil gets more chairs! Fans rally for “NA-I-TO!” and Evil is annoyed by that. Evil drags Naito up to whip into railing hard! Naito tumbles up and over in front of Japanese commentary! Evil twists Naito’s arm as he drags him up. Fans still rally for Naito but Evil knees Naito low. Evil puts one chair around Naito’s head, and he gets the other chair! HOME RUN CHAIRSHOT!

Dick and Evil Too Sweet, and Evil leaves Naito behind to get in the ring. Red Shoes sees the aftermath, he has a pretty good idea what happened but the damage is done. Red Shoes reprimands Evil, then starts the ring count. Evil wants it to go faster, Naito sits up at 8 of 20. Red Shoes has Dick stay away but Evil mocks tranquilo. Naito stands at 17 and rolls in at 18! But Evil covers, TWO! Evil argues the count, but then he drags Naito around to stomp the leg. Evil drops an elbow on the knee! Naito clutches that leg but fans still rally up. Evil scuffs Naito, drags him up, but Naito throws body shots! And forearms!

Evil rakes the eyes! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Evil lets off to whip, but Naito reverses to atomic drop then dropkick the legs out! Fans fire up as both men are down. Naito stands while Evil sits up. Naito ROCKS Evil, kicks, CLUBS, and whips to arm-drag Evil! Naito then elbows Evil down and basement dropkicks! Fans fire up and Naito whips Evil to a corner. Naito runs in, JUMP KICK, leg sweep, COMBINACION CABRON! Fans fire up, Naito drags Evil back up, and turns him. But Evil fights free to get away to the outside! Naito stays cool and waits on Evil. The ring count starts but Naito goes out after Evil.

Evil grabs a chair! Naito kicks Evil first and RAMS Evil into railing! Naito uses the chair to JAM Evil in return! Naito then glares and Dick backs away. Naito puts the chair around Evil now, and Red Shoes keeps Dick away. Red Shoes says he hears no evil and sees no evil, as Naito HOME RUNS off of Evil! Fans fire up as Naito goes yard! Naito drags Evil up and puts him in the ring. Naito drags Evil up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up after Evil. But Evil slips out and trips Naito up! Naito hits buckle on the way down and they’re both on the mat! Fans rally up again as Red Shoes checks. Naito’s nose is not bleeding, so Evil drags Naito out, to RAM INTO ABE AGAIN!!

Evil shows no mercy to the timekeeper and he drags Naito up again. Fans rally for Naito as hard as they can as Evil puts Naito in. Evil stomps Naito around but fans still rally. Evil drags Naito up, scoops him, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Naito writhes and Evil gets the legs! DARKNESS SCORPION! Evil’s take on the Sharpshooter bends Naito back, but fans rally as Naito endures! Naito powers up, crawls for ropes, but Evil sits deep on the hold! Naito’s legs are also taking damage but Naito fights through to get the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Evil lets off at 4! Fans rally up but Evil looms over Naito.

Evil drags Naito up, fireman’s carries, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and fans fire up again! Evil scowls and he slashes his throat. Evil drags Naito up, spins him around, but Naito slips out to a full nelson! Evil fights out, runs, but into a SHOTGUN BOOT! Both men are down again and fans rally up! Evil and Naito crawl to opposite corners, and Naito runs in at Evil. Naito blocks those boots, drapes Evil out and hits a DRAPING BACKBREAKER! Naito then goes up, reels Evil in, but Evil ROCKS Naito right off the corner! Naito falls to the floor and Red Shoes goes out to check on him.

Evil signals to Dick, and Dick fetches a TABLE! Dick sets that up for Evil while Evil fetches Naito. Evil drags Naito over to the table and fireman’s carries. But Naito fights free! Naito shoves Evil at the table, he elbows Dick and BOOTS Evil! Naito then whips Evil into Dick and Dick hits railing! Naito then brings Evil back around to whip into the railing! Evil goes up and over!! Fans are thunderous as everyone is down! Red Shoes checks on both men and Naito gets up. Naito walks over to Evil while the ring count starts. Naito drags Evil up at 7 of 20, brings him back around at 11 and puts him in at 13.

Naito rolls into the ring and fans rally up. Naito drags Evil up, but blocks Evil’s eye rake! Naito throws back elbow after back elbow! Fans fire up and Naito brings Evil back up to throw more elbows! Evil drops and fans applaud again while Naito catches his breath. Naito drags Evil up but Evil reels him in! Naito throws elbows to fight off the STO! Naito then runs in, CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives but Naito isn’t bothered, he just drags Evil up again. Wrench, but Evil fights free, so Naito ENZIGURIS! Naito wrenches, but Dick distracts! Evil shoves Naito into Red Shoes, then LOW BLOWS Naito!

Everyone is down again and the fans rally up for “NA-I-TO!” Evil staggers up and he scuffs Naito. Evil kicks Naito to ropes, Dick drags Naito out, and they’re near the table! Evil and Dick slash their throats to call for the end! Evil drags up the dead weight, and he coordinates with Dick. But Naito fights free! Naito HOTSHOTS Dick and he tumbles down! Evil steps in, Naito kicks the rope! The rope gets Evil right in his darkness! Naito joins Evil on the apron, drags him up and reels him in, but Evil fights the driver! Naito drags Evil back up, PILEDRIVER through the table!! Fans are thunderous as both men are down in the wreckage!

Naito, Evil, Dick and Red Shoes are all down, but at least Evil and Naito are stirring. Red Shoes gets back in the ring, Naito sits up and Naito drags Evil back up. Naito puts Evil in, a bloody cut on his back. Naito still gets in and fans rally up again. Naito drags Evil up, then goes up the corner, for ESPERANZA!! Then the wrench and- NO, Evil RAMS Naito into the bare steel! As if Naito’s back wasn’t hurting already! Fans are thunderous again as both men are down! Evil grits his teeth and pushes himself up off the mat while Naito leans against the corner. Evil storms over but into a BOOT! Naito fires up, runs, but into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Naito survives!

The rallying continues as Evil stands back up. Evil slashes his throat and he hauls Naito up! Spin and EVERY- NO, Naito fights it, ROLLING KICK! Naito whips, Evil reverses, FLYING FOREARMS knock Evil down! Naito wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, but Evil holds off Destino! Red Shoes avoids Naito’s boots swinging past, Naito slips off Evil’s shoulder, and Naito sees Dick on the apron! Naito KICKS Dick down and hits the TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up again and Naito gets Evil back up! Scoop and VALENCIA! Naito keeps going, wrenches the arm and tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!!! Cover, NAITO WINS!

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

And in the longest, most grueling match of this year’s G1 yet, Naito finally scores! Will King of Darkness just have to reset and stack the deck for The Ace next round?

As for Naito, he gets some water, catches his breath, and gets the mic. “BUENAS NOCHES, NAGOYA~! NJPW held two G1 Climax events here in Aichi this weekend.” Fans applaud that fact, and Naito continues to say he started with two losses, but he’s happy to show us a victorious Naito here in Aichi. Fans definitely applaud that! Naito says he and LIJ are all thankful to the fans for their support. “Gracias, amigos!” Naito takes a moment and fans rally up, “NA-I-TO!”

Naito says he won the main event, so you all know what’s coming. “I want to cheer with all of you together, but times are still tough. So yell in your hearts with me. Are you ready? Let’s close out two days of G1 in Aichi the right way. Bushi! Sanada! Hiromu! Takagi! Y Naito. Nosotros… Los! Ingoberrrrrnableeees~! DE! JA! PON!” Naito tosses the mic, ready to make a comeback! Will he keep going all the way to the finals, even with two strikes against him?

My Thoughts:

Another great round for the G1, but with five G1 matches as opposed to the four we’ve been getting each time. An awesome match out of Cobb VS Archer, both big men busting out their agility, and a great win for Cobb. Cobb going into his match with Jonah with momentum, that is gonna be a show stealer for August 5th. Hashi VS Juice was also great, because Hashi got to look strong and win! I did not see that coming, and now we can even think of Hashi as in on the IWGP US Championship scene with this.

White VS Chase was great because yes, it started as if they were going to just hand this over to White, and then the gags and the arguments got going and it turned into an awesome showing for Chase in his loss. White and Chase were okay afterward, though, but maybe under the surface, there’s still tension that could bring us into another phase of the Bullet Club dysfunction. Okada VS Fale was great stuff, Fale is always booked strong against everyone so he had half a chance in there. Okada still wins, though, because he is Okada and he is 3-0. There’s still a lot of block left, so maybe there’s a stumble, as no one, not even Okada, has gone undefeated in taking a block.

And of course, that main event was great. Lived up to the hype given it was Naito VS Evil and Naito was fighting to avoid an 0-3 start. Naito does get that win after really pushing it to the limit with Evil, so maybe he can sweep the second half of his run. Every match of Naito’s will have that storyline ingrained in it, and especially his last one before the semifinals. If Naito really is retiring after this year, Naito having a very dramatic G1 and beyond is a great way to see him off.

My Score: 8.8/10