When facing the Fang Revived, will The Ace survive?

After losing the IWGP US Championship, Kenta has wanted payback on Hiroshi Tanahashi! Will he get it through NJPW’s biggest G1 Climax ever?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Kosei Fujita, Ryohei Oiwa & Yuto Nakashima VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• Bad Dude Tito & JONAH VS Will Ospreay & Aaron Henare; Ospreay & Henare win.
• 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
• Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Suzuki-Gun; Chaos wins.
• Tama Tonga & Jado VS Jay White & Gedo; Tama & Jado win.
• G1 Climax, D Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS David Finlay; Hashi wins.
• G1 Climax, B Block: Taichi VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins.
• G1 Climax, A Block: Tom Lawlor VS Jeff Cobb; Lawlor wins.
• G1 Climax, C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS KENTA; Kenta wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current standings!

A Block

• Kazuchika Okada: 4-1, 8 points
• Lance Archer: 3-2, 6 points
• JONAH: 3-2, 6 points
• Jeff Cobb: 3-2, 6 points
• Bad Luck Fale: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
• Tom Lawlor: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
• Toru Yano: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

B Block

• Jay White: 5-0, 10 points
• Tama Tonga: 4-1, 8 points
• SANADA: 3-2, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
• Taichi: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
• Chase Owens: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
• Great-O-Khan: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
• Tomohiro Ishii: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

C Block

• Zack Sabre Jr: 4-1, 8 points
• Hirooki Goto: 3-2, 6 points
• Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-2, 6 points
• Tetsuya Naito: 3-2, 6 points
• EVIL: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
• KENTA: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
• Aaron Henare: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

D Block

• David Finlay: 3-2, 6 points
• Shingo Takagi: 3-2, 6 points
• Will Ospreay: 3-2, 6 points
• Yujiro Takahashi: 3-3, 6 points
• El Phantasmo: 2-3, 4 points
• YOSHI-HASHI: 2-3, 4 points
• Juice Robinson: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED?]

G1 Climax, D Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS David Finlay!

The D Block is insane right now! Are all seven men still viable for the semifinals? Will the Headhunter plunge things into chaos with a win over The Rebel? Or will Finlay make things clear and establish himself as THE semifinalist?

The bell rings and fans rally as the two stare down. Finlay encourages the fans to get louder and they oblige, then Finlay and Hashi tie up. They’re in a deadlock until Finlay finds a point of leverage. Finlay puts Hashi on the ropes, wants after the bad arm, but the ref counts. Finlay lets off at 4 and fans applaud as the two reset. Hashi kicks low, headlocks, but Finlay rolls Hashi to a cover, TWO! Hashi grinds the headlock, Finlay fights up and powers out, but Hashi runs Finlay over! Fans applaud and Hashi runs again, but Finlay drops to hurdle, but Hashi waistlocks. Finlay elbows free, runs, but Hashi CLOBBERS him with the elbow!

Hashi shakes out that bad arm while fans rally up. Hashi stands Finlay up to CLUB him on the back, and has Finlay in the corner. Finlay kicks back but Hashi blocks to CLUB the leg and CHOP Finlay! Finlay is stinging already, but he CHOPS back. Hashi CHOPS again and Finlay drops to his knees! Hashi shakes out the bad arm, drags Finlay up and reels him in. Fans rally again as Finlay fights the suplex. Hashi wrenches but Finlay ROCKS Hashi first! Then he hits an ARMBREAKER DDT! Hashi clutches that bad arm while fans fire up. Finlay storms over to get the arm and drops a knee on it! Then Finlay clamps on with a double wristlock! Hashi scrambles to the ROPEBREAK!

Fans applaud as Finlay lets off, then Finlay stomps the arm. Finlay throws Hashi out then PLANCHAS! Direct hit and Hashi is down! Fans fire up and Finlay paces. Hashi clutches the bad arm but Finlay puts him in the ring. Finlay SLAMS the arm on the mat and Hashi clutches it. Finlay brings Hashi up to EuroUpper then forearm and stomp in the corner. The ref counts, Finlay stomps harder and harder, and fans clap along until Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay eggs Hashi on and fans rally up. Hashi sits up, Finlay brings him around to snapmare and trap the arm in a chinlock! Hashi endures, fights to move around, but Finlay twists Hashi from the ropes!

Hashi keeps kicking and reaching out, to the ROPEBREAK! Finlay lets off, but with a stomp! Fans rally while Hashi still shields his bad arm. Finlay looms over Hashi, brings him up and cranks on the bad arm. Hashi resists the takedown and throws body shots. Finlay knees low, whips Hashi to ropes, but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! Finlay clutches the knee while getting away to a corner. Fans rally up and Hashi shakes the bad arm. Hashi runs in at the corner to CHOP! Hashi whips Finlay out to CHOP, mule kick and then turn, but Finlay fights the neckbreaker. Finlay swings but Hashi dodges the lariat to come back with the HEADHUNTER!

Fans fire up as Finlay goes to another corner. Hashi shakes the arm, goes back in and clotheslines with the good arm! Then the NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Hashi keeps his cool while fans rally up. Hashi drags Finlay up, reels him in and hooks the leg, but Finlay fights the fisherman suplex. Hashi throws a forearm but Finlay gives it back, and fans rally as they pick up speed! The forearms go back and forth, Finlay gets the edge, but Hashi ROCKS and CHOPS! Finlay ROCKS, UPPERCUTS, but Hashi backslides! TWO! Hashi swings, but into the IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Finlay holds on, and he hits another IRISH CURSE! And then a THIRD IRISH CURSE! Cover, TWO!

Fans fire up as Hashi survives that hattrick but Finlay tells Hashi to just give up already! Fans rally, “GET BACK UP! GET BACK UP!” for Hashi but Finlay slashes his throat to say this is over! Finlay drags Hashi up and reels him in, but Hashi fights the suplex to SPIN BACK KICK! Finlay tumbles to the apron and fans rally again. Hashi shakes out the bad arm, storms over to the ropes, but Finlay gets him for an ARM HOTSHOT! Finlay steps in, into the SUPERKICK! Fisherman to KUMA- STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE! Cover, TWO!! Not quite Prima Nocta but Finlay says he’s gonna bring Hashi around for the drop!

Finlay drags Hashi up, cravats and goes up, but no Acid Drop! Finlay blocks Hashi’s superkick and rolls him up, TWO! Hashi is up but he runs into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! High stack, TWO! Finlay grows frustrated while the fans rally up again. Finlay vows to end it this time, and he gets Hashi up to suplex. TRASH- NO, Hashi slips out to a waistlock! Finlay throws elbows into the bad arm then runs, into a SUPERKICK! But Finlay LARIATS on the rebound! Cravat, ACID- NO, Hashi fights the drop and full nelsons, KARMA CRADLE! Cover, HASHI WINS!!

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

Chaos it is, then! The Headhunter beats The Rebel who beat the Kingpin, the Dragon and the Booster, but the Rebel lost to the Headbanga and the Tokyo Pimp, so what does any of this mean for the semifinals?!

G1 Climax, B Block: Taichi w/ Miho Abe VS Great-O-Khan!

The B Block is almost the opposite of the D Block. We know it comes down to Jay White or Tama Tonga, so the Holy Emperor is fighting the Dominator for pride. Will Taichi take out his frustrations from yesterday on Khan here? Or will this emperor be conquered by the United Empire?

Khan patiently waits as Taichi takes off his cloak and shows off the dancing pecs. Fans applaud, Taichi still wins something here. The bell rings and Khan waits on Taichi again. Taichi takes his time stepping out of the corner to circle with Khan, but Taichi avoids Khan’s advances on the legs. Fans applaud as Taichi drops back to a corner, and Khan sits with his leg guard. Khan dares Taichi to try something but Taichi smirks. Taichi isn’t going to fall for Khan’s technical trap, and he takes his sumo stance instead. Now Taichi dares Khan to try something. Sumo versus ground wrestling? Fans rally up, wanting to see what wins.

Khan sits back more but Taichi leans forward, each still egging the other on. It’s a mental game here, and it seems to be in a deadlock. Taichi hits his three point stance but Khan sits with one leg forward. The ref tells them to break this inactivity! Fans applaud as both men stand up and reset. Taichi and Khan circle slowly but Taichi is still doing sumo body slaps. They rush each other, and Khan is trying a sumo clinch just like Taichi! They move around, each trying to get a better grip. They circle, Khan goes for the arm but Taichi fights it off! Taichi tries now but Khan fights it off! Fans applaud as they return to the deadlock.

Khan and Taichi keep feeling out the situation, and Khan has a grip on the waistband! Khan starts pushing Taichi back, but Taichi digs in his heels. Taichi then goes after Khan’s waistband, but Khan digs his heels in! They go back to a deadlock, Khan gets a body clinch! BEARHUG! Taichi fights it with the sumo clinch! Taichi THROWS Khan! Fans are fired up while Taichi goes to a corner. Khan staggers up, fans rally, and Taichi runs in but Khan RAMS shoudlers with him! And again! And again! Khan runs, but into a BOOT! Khan BOOTS back, so Taichi SOBATS! Khan Mongolian CHOPS! AX BOMBER outta nowhere!

Fans fire up with Taichi! He hits the three point stance, YOKOZUNA- SAYANAGI from Khan! Khan drags Taichi into the HITSUJIGOROSHI LUNA! Taichi endures the Sheep Killer Rack as Khan thrashes him around! Fans rally up, “TA-I-CHI!” “SU-BA-RU!” Er, wait, “GREAT-O-KHAN!” IRON CLAW! Khan drags Taichi up, but Taichi breaks free! Khan thrusts but into an Alabama Lift! Taichi adjusts for BLACK- IRON CLAW! Khan fights free and he squeezes Taichi’s head! But Taichi CHOKES Khan! The ref reprimands, but Khan squeezes harder! Khan’s claw is winning out! Taichi fades, Khan drags him back up into the ELIMI-

NO, Taichi gets around, GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!! Khan gets up and shoots in but into a sprawl! But Khan still SNAP SUPLEXES! Fisherman bridge, KHAN WINS!!!

Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taichi earns 0)

Adding insult to injury, Khan wins with the “Pancake Hold!” Will Taichi live it down that he lost to a move with such an adorable name?

G1 Climax, A Block: Tom Lawlor w/ Royce Isaacs VS Jeff Cobb!

The Filthy One is out of the running with his big losses to Okada, Jonah and Archer, but he could get a big win right here! Will Lawlor spoil things for the Imperial Unit? Or will his G1 end with a Tour of the Islands?

Fans rally for “TOM! LAW-LOR!” already and spins around and around! He does some drop steps, then OFF COME THE SHORTS! Luckily, he’s still got the denim tights underneath. Wait, Cobb starts spinning? Oh, to take off his wrist tape. This is getting serious already! The bell rings and Cobb circles with Lawlor. Fans rally up as the two feel out the grapple. Lawlor rushes in but Cobb blocks and gets around to a waistlock. Lawlor spins around to try again but Cobb still blocks the leg pick. Cobb gets around and wants a leg, but Lawlor moves up so Cobb gets the waistlock again. Lawlor turns around, they clinch and end up against the ropes.

Fans applaud and Red Shoes calls the ropebreak. Cobb lets off and Lawlor applauds the clean break. They go again. Lawlor tries the fireman’s carry but Cobb is too sturdy for that. Cobb tries for an armlock, Lawlor moves around  so Cobb tries for a gut wrench, but Lawlor manages a low back drop! Cobb gets the waistlock and gator rolls with Lawlor! Lawlor slips out, waistlocks back but Cobb uses that to push Lawlor over. Lawlor shifts up to get a SLEEPER, but Cobb scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls the break and Lawlor lets off with a pat on the shoulder. Fans applaud as Lawlor gives Cobb space, and they reset again.

“TOM! LAW-LOR!” waits on Cobb, they tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Lawlor wrenches an arm. Cobb ROCKS Lawlor with the other, but Lawlor wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, then kicks, kicks and KICKS! Lawlor leaps, but into Cobb’s arms! FALL AWAY SLAM! Fans fire up as both men are down on the mat! Lawlor gets himself to the corner and Cobb gets the claps going for him! “JEFF! COB-BU!” runs corner to corner to back elbow, into a SLEEPER! Lawlor hops on to be a backpack, but Cobb RAMS him into the corner! Lawlor holds on, Cobb goes to the ropes, and then he throws Lawlor off! Lawlor tumbles to the floor!

Fans rally while Cobb sputters and coughs. Lawlor staggers up but Cobb is there to ROCK him! Lawlor throws a forearm back so Cobb throat chops! Cobb puts Lawlor in the ring, but Lawlor comes back for a TRIANGLE HOLD! Cobb stays up as Lawlor tries to drag him down, and Cobb deadlifts for an APRON BOMB! Lawlor flops down and writhes while Cobb sputters again. Fans rally up, Cobb brings Lawlor up to ROCK him in the back! Cobb ROCKS Lawlor again, then follows him around the corner. Lawlor gets in the ring and Cobb follows. Cobb brings Lawlor up to CLUB him down, and Cobb brings Lawlor up.

Cobb waistlocks and RAMS Lawlor into the corner. Cobb whips corner to corner and Lawlor hits hard! Cobb runs in to FLYING UPPERCUT! Fans fire up and Cobb covers, TWO! Cobb drags Lawlor around, stomps on him, and then stands on him to go surfing! Fans clap for “JEFF! COB-BU!” and he steps off. Lawlor grits his teeth and sits up to throw a heavy body shot! And another! Cobb HEADBUTTS Lawlor then reels him in for a short arm LARIAT! Cobb claps along but Lawlor grabs a leg! Cobb stomps Lawlor but then Lawlor grabs that leg in a grapevine! Cobb CLUBS away on Lawlor and Lawlor lets go, but then Lawlor KICKS the leg!

Lawlor KICKS the leg again and again, then kicks up at Cobb! Lawlor draws Cobb in and balances Cobb on his feet! And then drops Cobb into the ARMBAR! Fans rally as Lawlor clubs Cobb’s grip to the rhythm! The grip breaks and Lawlor has the ARMBAR!! But Cobb moves around! Cover, ONE, and Lawlor has a KNEEBAR HEADSCISSOR COMBO! Cobb fights up and out of the headscissors to then CLUB away on Lawlor! Cobb is free of the kneebar but then he CLUBS Lawlor, clamps on both hands, and DEADLIFTS to the OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Fans fire up for that wild display of strength! And then fans rally as both Cobb and Lawlor rise.

Cobb drags Lawlor up, pump handles and lifts, but Lawlor kicks off the ropes for an ARMBREAKER DDT! Lawlor then omoplatas one arm, but Cobb won’t let him have the other, so Lawlor gets an ANKLE LOCK! Cobb kicks free, rolls Lawlor away, but swings into an URENAGE! Fans fire up again as both men are down! Lawlor crawls to the cover, TWO! Lawlor pounds the mat and fans clap along again, “TOM! LAW-LOR!” Cobb goes to a corner, Lawlor aims from the opposite. Lawlor runs in to forearm smash! Lawlor keeps moving, another forearm smash! Lawlor goes the other way, one more FOREARM SMASH!

Lawlor reels Cobb in, TORNADO- NO, Cobb puts Lawlor on the ropes! But Lawlor BOOTS the haymaker away! Lawlor LEAPS, GUILLOTINE!! But Cobb powers up and out to SUPLEX! Fans fire up again as the two are down again! Fans rally, Lawlor flounders and Cobb crawls after. Cobb SLAPS Lawlor, Lawlor SLAPS Cobb. Both men sit up, Cobb throws a forearm but Lawlor gives it back. Fans rally as the forearms keep going, Cobb wobbles a moment but he ROCKS Lawlor. Lawlor fires off body shots! Cobb and Lawlor stand, the forearms keep going, Lawlor fires off kicks and a KNEE, then an ENZIGURI!

Lawlor fires up, runs, and BLINDSIDE WHEEL KICKS! Cover, TWO! Cobb is still in this and Lawlor is surprised. Lawlor gets the fans rallying again, then wrenches Cobb into an ELBOW BREAKER! And another, and then a hammerlock. Lawlor fires off “TOM! LAW-LOR!” forearms over and over! Lawlor roars, spins, but into a SUPERKICK! Lawlor staggers but roars, to SLAP Cobb down!! Lawlor also falls over and fans rally up again. Lawlor pushes himself up, he brings Cobb around, and Lawlor runs to PENALTY- NO, Cobb ducks, rolls Lawlor then DEADLIFT GERMANS! Cobb holds on to try again, but Lawlor pries at the arm!

Cobb GERMAN SUPLEXES with one arm! But Lawlor wrenches the other arm! Cobb tries but he can’t complete the suplex, Lawlor has the DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Cobb CLUBS away, rolls and throws Lawlor off, but Lawlor KNEES the bad arm! Then V-TRIGGERS Cobb up close! Lawlor gets the arms, KAMI-GOYE!! Cover, TWO!!! Cobb survives and fans fire up again! They clap as “TOM! LAW-LOR!” stands back up. Lawlor grabs at Cobb’s arms to tie Cobb up in the straitjacket. But Cobb stands up, reels Lawlor in, but Lawlor slips off the scoop! COBRA CLUTCH SUPLEX! Fans fire up while both men are down again!

Lawlor pounds the mat and fans clap along again! Lawlor drags Cobb up, straitjackets the arms, for NKTOB!!! Cover, Lawlor wins!!!

Winner: Tom Lawlor, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Cobb earns 0)

The Nasty Knee On The Brain finishes off the Imperial Unit! Both men end 3-3, meaning The Filthy One just spoiled Cobb’s run, who will take the A Block now?

G1 Climax, C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS KENTA!

The Ace and the Fang Revived meet in both their last G1 match this year, and Tanahashi is on the bubble. Will Kenta avenge himself from their IWGP US Championship feud? Or will the Once in a Century Talent refuse to #GoToSleep?

Tanahashi shows off the muscles and fans applaud. The bell rings and fans rally, “Let’s Go, Ace! Let’s Go, Ace!” as Tanahashi and Kenta circle. Kenta gets fans to shift to his, “KEN-TA! KEN-TA!” claps, but Tanahashi gets “Let’s Go, Ace!” going pretty easily. It’s a clapping duel but it seems the Ace’s side wins out. So Kenta bails out of the ring to go looking under it. Kenta brings out a chair, but it has no seat. Kenta is annoyed and he goes looking for another. Red Shoes says to get in the ring, but Kenta hops the rails and snatches a chair from the timekeeper’s area. Kenta puts that chair in the ring, but Red Shoes says no, this isn’t a No Disqualification match.

Kenta is annoyed but he throws the chair aside. Tanahashi picks the chair up, to use it as a guitar! Kenta sucker punches Tanahashi! Kenta CLUBS Tanahashi, CHOPS him, throws uppercuts, then brings Tanahashi around to bump off buckles. Kenta ROCKS Tanahashi with a body shot, then ROCKS him with a haymaker! And another! Kenta whips corner to corner, then runs in to forearm smash! Kenta snapmares Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back and covers, TWO! Fans rally while Kenta clamps on a chinlock. Tanahashi endures and fights up but Kenta shifts to a headlock. Tanahashi pulls hair, and then he gets the headlock!

Red Shoes reprimands but Kenta powers up. Tanahashi holds on tight and grinds Kenta. Kenta rolls to a cover, TWO! Tanahashi holds onto the headlock and fans rally up. Kenta fights up to his feet, powers Tanahashi into a corner, and Red Shoes calls the break. Tanahashi grinds the hold but lets off at 4, to throw body shots! Tanahashi fires up and whips Kenta corner to corner, but Kenta reverses! Kenta runs in, but into an elbow! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up and Tanahashi strums the air guitar. Kenta gets to the apron but Tanahashi drags him up. Kenta HOTSHOTS Tanahashi down, then drags him to the apron. But Tanahashi BOOTS Kenta into railing!

Tanahashi goes out after Kenta, drags him up, and puts him back in the ring. Fans rally up, but Tanahashi sees Kenta is already rolling to the adjacent side. Tanahashi hurries around the way to meet Kenta there! Tanahashi throws body shots and he puts Kenta in the ring again. Fans rally up, but Tanahashi again hurries to block Kenta from rolling out. Kenta rolls the other way and Tanahashi gets in, but Kenta BOOTS Tanahashi down! Tanahashi tumbles to the floor and Kenta goes out after him. Kenta whips Tanahashi hard into railing! Tanahashi falls over but Kenta drags him back up, and out into No Man’s Land! DDT to the floor!

Red Shoes reprimands but Kenta leaves Tanahashi behind. Fans rally up, “Let’s Go, Ace!” but Kenta refreshes the count to fetch Tanahashi. Kenta KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Tanahashi! Tanahashi falls over, Kenta drags him back to ringside and puts him in, only to drag him back out! The count is refreshed again, Kenta whips Tanahashi hard into more railing! Tanahashi falls over again and Kenta soaks up the applause. Kenta stomps Tanahashi around, then drags him up by his hair. The ring count starts again and Kenta POSTS Tanahashi! Kenta drags Tanahashi back up at 9 of 20 and puts him in at 11. Kenta pushes Tanahashi to a cover, TWO!

Fans rally up but Kenta drops an elbow, and then another elbow! And then he DOUBLE STOMPS! Tanahashi writhes but Kenta wraps him up in a body scissors! Tanahashi endures the squeeze, he pries at the hold, then drags himself forward to get the ROPEBREAK! Kenta holds on but Red Shoes counts. Kenta lets off at 4, drags Tanahashi up and turns him, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Tanahashi snarls, but Kenta stomps him. Tanahashi fires off fast hands! Tanahashi runs but into a kitchen sink knee! And then Kenta drops knees onto Tanahashi’s ribs! Kenta wraps Tanahashi back up in body scissors and the fans rally up!

Tanahashi endures all over again as Kenta puts on the squeeze! Tanahashi pulls on a leg for a toehold! Kenta scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Tanahashi pulls harder on the leg until 4! Kenta hobbles up and he KICKS Tanahashi! And BOOTS him! And KICKS! Tanahashi drops to a knee but he grits his teeth. Kenta kicks but Tanahashi block to CLUB the leg and fire off forearms! Kenta knees low, whops Tanahashi to a corner, but Tanahashi blocks his running boot! Tanahashi then shifts to have the leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up and Tanahashi drags Kenta back up to fire off fast hands!

Tanahashi whips, Kenta reverses but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up more as Tanahashi fires off more fast hands! And then scoop SLAMS Kenta into a drop zone! Tanahashi hops up and SUNSET SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Kenta is still in this but Tanahashi keeps his cool. Tanahashi waits on Kenta to rise, then he runs, but into a BOOT! Tanahashi rebounds to ROCK Kenta! Kenta rebounds to BOOT! Tanahashi rebounds, into Kenta’s POWERSLAM! Fans fire up while both men are down! Kenta sits up fast and he hurries to drag Tanahashi up. Kenta reels Tanahashi in but Tanahashi throws back elbows.

Tanahashi and Kenta go to opposite corners, and Tanahashi runs corner to corner, into a BOOT! Kenta goes up, he reels Tanahashi in, TORNADO STUNGUN! Tanahashi falls down and Kenta goes back up. Tanahashi stands, Kenta hits a FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Kenta rains down fists on Tanahashi! Red Shoes reprimands over closed fists and Kenta lets off, to then rain down more fists! And then he lets off, to rain down more fists! Red Shoes reprimands, Kenta’s throwing too many closed fists! Kenta stands up while fans rally, and Tanahashi snarls as he sits back up. Kenta gives him toying kicks but Tanahashi eggs him on!

Kenta kicks Tanahashi more but Tanahashi throws a forearm! Kenta throws it back, Tanahashi throws another! Fans fire up, Kenta ROCKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi ROCKS Kenta! They go again, Tanahashi eggs Kenta on, and Kenta fires another shot! Tanahashi fires another, Kenta fires another, repeat faster and faster! The fans fire up and then both men grab each other’s hair! Red Shoes reprimands, but they both shove him away! Kenta kicks low, but then he ducks and Tanahashi’s SHOTEI hits Red Shoes!! Down goes the referee! Kenta hits a DDT! Kenta then sees Red Shoes is down and realizes Tanahashi did that!

Kenta goes outside and he goes looking under the ring. Kenta brings out a CRUTCH! Kenta brings that crutch into the ring and he SMACKS Tanahashi across the chest with it! And then SMACKS him on the back! Fans fire up as Kenta SMACKS Tanahashi again! The crutch has bent, but Kenta just SMACKS Tanahashi again and again and again! Kenta throws the bent-up crutch away, drags Tanahashi up and throws Tanahashi out. Kenta then goes out after Tanahashi, and he drags Tanahashi around for a DDT to the ramp! The Ace is down and Kenta clears off the timekeeper’s table to confiscate it! Kenta wants to turn the tables on that No DQ match finish!

Kenta does his best to set this table up by the ramp, and he stomps Tanahashi for good measure. The table stands at the ready right by the ring, and Kenta drags Tanahashi over to it. Kenta SMACKS Tanahashi off the table, puts him on it, and rains down more fists! Kenta goes up the corner while fans rally up! But Tanahashi hurries up after Kenta! Tanahashi ROCKS Kenta, climbs up after him, and fans anticipate a new crash landing! Kenta resists the superplex and throws body shots! Kenta HEADBUTTS Tanahashi again and again and again! Tanahashi falls to the apron and Kenta hurries in to drag him through the ropes! BRAINKILLER!

Fans fire up as Kenta shouts to Red Shoes. Red Shoes is up and Kenta aims from a corner. Fans rally, “LET’S GO, ACE!” but he’s still down. Kenta waits, and he makes sure Red Shoes is focused on the match. Tanahashi slowly sits up in the corner, and Kenta runs in to FLYING BOOT! And then SOARING DROPKICK! Kenta fires up and fans fire up, too, as Kenta climbs up! COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives, and his kick-out sends Kenta into Red Shoes! Kenta drags Tanahashi onto the ropes and then goes to the apron. The table is there, and Kenta picks it up to SMACK Tanahashi with it! That’s thinking outside the box!

Kenta gets in the ring, he tells Red Shoes to get up already, and then he slashes his throat. Kenta fireman’s carries Tanahashi, GO TO- NO, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi turns things around and fans fire up again! Tanahashi roars, runs, but Kenta fireman’s carries! GO TO- SLINGBLADE!! Fans fire up more and Tanahashi roars! Tanahashi runs, SLINGBLADE again! Cover, TWO!! Kenta survives and Tanahashi goes to a corner! Tanahashi climbs up, Kenta stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! And Tanahashi goes back up, to HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees!! Kenta saves himself, then hurries to a corner! Fans rally but Kenta runs in, BUSAIKU KNEE!! Cover, TWO!!

Fans are thunderous but Kenta is furious! Kenta fireman’s carries Tanahashi for the GO TO- SMALL PACKAGE! Tanahashi turns things around to a cover, TWO!!! Kenta escapes and fans are thunderous again! Kenta CROSS COUNTERS! And again! And again! And again, again, again, again!! SHOTEI!! SHOTEI CROSS COUNTER! ANOTHER!!! Tanahashi falls over but Kenta drags him back up! POINT-BLANK KNEE! And then the fireman’s carry, GO TO SLEEP!!! Cover, KENTA WINS!!

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

The Ace has fallen! The Once in a Century Talent is out of the running! The Worst Invader has done his job spoiling Tanahashi’s run! And he gets the mic to say, “It’s been a long time since we’ve been in Nagano. And I bet you all wanted to hear Tanahashi say he loves you. Well too bad~!” Fans applaud, because he is right. Kenta says they’re getting an advertisement for his book instead! Fans laugh but we all know Kenta means it. “Anyone have a copy?” A fan does, and Kenta tells the Young Lions to grab it from them. The fan, who is a child, does hand it over and the book is brought to the ring.

Kenta says his dream was to “win the main event and then plug my book.” Fans laugh and applaud that hilarious dream. “If you’ve got a copy, hold it up now.” No one does… “OI, NAGANO! Do you not have bookstores here? Okay, you don’t have bookstores here, but… No internet, either? Get it on Amazon and Rakuten! Those are websites, if you didn’t know. And I’m sure it’ll hit the Tokon Shop very soon. You’re all interested, aren’t you? Aren’t you?” Fans applaud, because yes, they’re interested. Kenta says he’ll remember everyone here clapping, so they better buy it.

So, his book is out, his G1 has ended, and he put his all into every match. “Not like that concerns you. But whatever. The G1 rolls on, so keep enjoying it. I see plenty of LIJ shirts, and others. Not a lot of my own…! Well, it’s been awhile, Nagano, but what I really wanted to say was… Next time we’re back, you’ll wanna all come out again.” Fans applaud because that is definitely true. Will Kenta have more than just a book to plug when NJPW does return to Nagano?

Here are the NEW standings!

A Block

• Kazuchika Okada: 4-1, 8 points
• Lance Archer: 3-2, 6 points
• JONAH: 3-2, 6 points
• Tom Lawlor: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
• Jeff Cobb: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
• Bad Luck Fale: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
• Toru Yano: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

B Block

• Jay White: 5-0, 10 points
• Tama Tonga: 4-1, 8 points
• SANADA: 3-2, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
• Chase Owens: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
• Great-O-Khan: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
• Taichi: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
• Tomohiro Ishii: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

C Block

• Zack Sabre Jr: 4-1, 8 points
• Hirooki Goto: 3-2, 6 points
• Tetsuya Naito: 3-2, 6 points
• KENTA: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
• Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
• EVIL: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
• Aaron Henare: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

D Block

• Shingo Takagi: 3-2, 6 points
• Will Ospreay: 3-2, 6 points
• YOSHI-HASHI: 3-3, 6 points
• Yujiro Takahashi: 3-3, 6 points
• David Finlay: 3-3, 6 points
• El Phantasmo: 2-3, 4 points
• Juice Robinson: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED?]

My Thoughts:

Another great go for the G1, though I should’ve expected a few of those results. Hashi VS Finlay was great stuff, and Hashi wins to plunge D Block into madness! It will all come down to Tuesday, Takagi VS ELP and Ospreay VS Juice on Tuesday, 8/16. Now, I don’t know the likelihood of Ospreay advancing as he and Ospreay also have to the States to be part of AEW’s Trios Championships tournament. There is no way Ospreay can fight in a G1 semifinal and in Albany, New York on the same day. So chances are, Takagi wins the D Block and advances, possibly as the ONLY one with a 4-2 record in the block.

We got a great match out of Taichi and Khan, and Khan winning was quite the surprise. But they both finish 2-4, and who knows where either guy goes from here. Lawlor VS Cobb was great stuff, too, that is big for Lawlor. The only way Jonah gets in is if he wins against Fale while Archer and Okada have a draw. If Jonah loses, it all comes down to Archer VS Okada, the winner advancing. And of course, great stuff out of Tanahashi VS Kenta, both for the G1 and to build upon their IWGP US Championship No Disqualification match. Kenta winning was the logical move, Tanahashi winning here would deflate the drama of Naito VS ZSJ. Kenta had a hilarious promo to end the night, he really should move up in the rankings.

My Score: 8.8/10