Now C and D Blocks get their start!

After a great start to another G1 Climax, we move on to Blocks C and D, with Tetsuya Naito taking on Jeff Cobb in the main event!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• G1 Climax 33, C Block: Tomohiro Ishii VS David Finlay; Finlay wins.
• G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hirooki Goto VS Toru Yano; Goto wins.
• G1 Climax 33, C Block: Mikey Nicholls VS Aaron Henare; Mikey wins.
• G1 Climax 33, D Block: Shane Haste VS Alex Coughlin; Shane wins.
• G1 Climax 33, C Block: Shingo Takagi VS Eddie Kingston; Eddie wins.
• G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr; ZSJ wins.
• G1 Climax 33, C Block: Tama Tonga VS EVIL; Evil wins.
• G1 Climax 33, D Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Jeff Cobb; Cobb wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

G1 Climax 33, C Block: Tomohiro Ishii VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The Stone Pitbull is a NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champion with the Dream Team of Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi, but here comes THE NEVER Openweight Champion! Will The Rebel start night two of opening weekend with a win? Or will Ishii be too much for even this savage to stop?

The bell rings and fans rally up. Ishii and Finlay tie up, are in a deadlock, and Ishii powers Finlay back. Finlay turns it around to put Ishii on ropes, and he slaps Ishii around. The ref reprimands but Ishii grabs Finlay back the neck! Finlay breaks free to throw a forearm, but Ishii just eggs him on! Finlay throws more forearms, but Ishii hits him back, and the brawl is on! Fans rally as the forearms go back and forth, faster and faster! Ishii gets the edge, runs, but Finlay ROCKS him! Finlay runs, RAMS Ishii, but Ishii rebounds to run Finlay over! Fans fire up and Ishii kicks Finlay around. Finlay stands up to throw another forearm! Ishii still doesn’t budge!

Finlay laughs it off and throws more forearms. Ishii just leans into them and backs Finlay down! Gedo coaches Finlay and Finlay throws more shots, but Ishii just takes them all! And then Ishii ROCKS Finlay! And again and again and again! Finlay sits down, the reprimands, but Ishii keeps throwing shots! The ref finally gets Ishii to back off, and fans rally up again. Finlay drags himself up, Ishii runs in but Finlay dodges. Finlay runs in, but into a BOOT! Ishii swings, but Finlay dodges to CHOP BLOCK! Gedo likes that! Finlay gets the leg and turns Ishii, to then DDT the foot! Finlay drags Ishii around, puts the leg on the ropes, and HIP DROPS it!

Ishii writhes but Finlay drags him to the apron. Finlay SLAMS the leg on the edge! Ishii writhes and crawls away but Finlay slides in to get the leg again. Finlay stomps the leg again and again and again, then drags him up to UPPERCUT! Ishii goes to a corner, Finlay stomps him, then wraps the leg around ropes! The ref reprimands and counts, Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay gets in the ref’s face but then goes back to Ishii. Finlay mocks the fans and Ishii with a chant of “I-SHI-I! I-SHI-I!” Ishii throws a forearm! Finlay throws one back, Ishii throws another, but Finlay ROCKS Ishii! And then CHOPS him!

Finlay fires forearms and CHOPS on repeat, very much like Ishii would! The ref counts, Finlay lets off, and Finlay throws up the Too Sweets. Ishii snarls and fans rally up again. Finlay drags Ishii up by an arm, whips him corner to corner, but Ishii reverses. Ishii runs in, but into BOOTS! Finlay runs, into a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up and Finlay goes to a corner. Ishii storms up on Finlay and CHOPS! And forearms! And CHOPS! Now Ishii is on the repeat cycle and fans rally up! Ishii rains down shots as Gedo protests and the ref counts. Ishii lets off but tells the ref to leave him alone. Ishii then drags Finlay up out of the corner.

Ishii suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Finlay hangs tough, but Ishii stalks him. Ishii drags Finlay up but Finlay fights the suplex with elbows. Finlay whips, Ishii reverses to SAIDO! Fans fire up as Ishii rises. Finlay stands, Ishii runs, but Finlay avoids the lariat, only for Ishii to slip out of Blue Thunder! Finlay fireman’s carries Ishii for a HOTSHOT off ropes, then a BIG back suplex! Both men are down, but Ishii crawls to a corner. Finlay talks trash, runs in and UPPERCUTS! And clotheslines! And whips Ishii around into the corner, only for Ishii to rebound off buckles! But Finlay catches Ishii for an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally up while Gedo argues the count. The ref says his count was fair, but Finlay ties up the legs into a DEATHLOCK! Finlay pushes on the knees but Ishii endures. Ishii eggs Finlay on but Finlay puts on more pressure! Fans rally as Ishii sits up and grabs at an ear. Finlay fights him but Ishii slaps and slaps and slaps! Finlay throws backhands and then lets off the hold to rain down fists! The ref reprimands over closed fists but Finlay lets off, claiming it was the butt of his palm. Finlay drags Ishii up, gut wrenches, but Ishii slips out! Finlay kicks the leg, but Ishii doesn’t budge! Ishii even eggs him on!

Finlay kicks again, Ishii swings, but Finlay dodges to dropkick the leg from behind! Ishii staggers but he runs back in to POUNCE Finlay! Fans fire up as Finlay crashes down in the corner! Ishii and Finlay stir and the fans rally back up. Ishii crawls his way over, stands up, and he brings Finlay up in a facelock. Ishii hoists Finlay up to the top rope, then climbs up after him. Gedo freaks out as Ishii hits the stalling SUPERPLEX! Fans fire up while Ishii crawls to the cover, TWO! Finlay is still in this, but Ishii keeps on him. Ishii reels Finlay in, but Finlay resists the lift. Gedo coaches Finlay and he wrenches out to kick. Ishii blocks!

Ishii spins Finlay around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up. Ishii storms over to Finlay, sits him up, and runs, but Finlay avoids the sliding lariat! Finlay UPPERCUTS Ishii down but Ishii’s right back up! Finlay ROLLING ELBOWS, but Ishii rebounds, only for Finlay to swat his lariat, and GERMAN SUPLEX! But Finlay isn’t done there! Gut wrench to Canadian Rack, DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and fans fire up again! Finlay is frustrated but the fans rally for “I-SHI-I! I-SHI-I!” Finlay goes to a corner and takes aim. Ishii rises, Finlay runs in, but Ishii blocks the spear!

Ishii gets Finlay up but Finlay slips out! Finlay ROCKS Ishii, but Ishii roars and DECKS Finlay! Finlay flounders around, Ishii ROCKS him again! Finlay rebounds and SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and Finlay is again frustrated. Finlay drags Ishii up, reels him in, but Ishii fights the lift. Finlay CLUBS away, then fires off HEADBUTTS! Ishii HEADBUTTS back, Finlay roars, so Ishii HEADBUTTS!! Finlay goes right down and fans fire right up! Ishii drags Finlay back up for a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Finlay survives and the fans continue to rally. Ishii rises again as Gedo panics!

Finlay sits up, Ishii runs, but Finlay swats the lariat! And HEADBUTTS! And BLUE THUNDER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Finlay is furious and he gets Ishii up to POWERBOMB him! Gedo says keep it up, and Finlay brings down the kneepad. The fans rally up but Finlay slashes his throat. Finlay drags Ishii up, suplexes, but Ishii slips free! RUNNING HEADBUTT!! Ishii practically went through Finlay! Ishii goes to a corner, runs in, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but Ishii roars! Fans fire up with Ishii as he suplexes, but Finlay slips free! Finlay shoves, wrenches, backslides, and then reels Ishii in!

Finlay suplexes but Ishii knees free! Finlay ROCKS Ishii, spins, but into an ENZIGURI! Fans fire up while Ishii headbutts the mat and slaps himself! Ishii roars again, runs, and LARIATS Finlay inside-out! Cover, TWO!!! Finlay survives and shocks the fans, but Ishii is roaring! We hit 15 minutes, and the limit is 20! Ishii suplexes Finlay, but Finlay fights it! Finlay wrenches out, but Ishii spins him. Finlay suplexes, but Ishii wrenches out to scoop! Finlay slips free, dragon sleepers, but Ishii turns around! Finlay fights the suplex again, spins Ishii around, and inverted suplexes! OSAKA STREET CUTTER!!

Finlay keeps going, he suplexes again, INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, Finlay wins!!

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

Finlay made it through this battle and came out on top! Will he prove that NJPW and the G1 needs The Rebel?

G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hirooki Goto VS Toru Yano w/ Tomukun!

Chaos clashes with Chaos as the Fierce Warrior faces Clown Prince. Will things still be friendly between them even after this opening round?

Goto knows Yano’s tricks so he tells Yano to wrestle this fairly. Yano says okay, no worries. The bell rings and they both rush in, and Yano gets around to backslide! TWO!! Goto escapes, rushes in, avoids the mule kick and hooks up the legs! Deathlock, roll, but Yano turns it around on Goto! Cover, TWO!! Goto rushes in but Yano dumps him out! Yano then goes to a buckle pad and unties it! Yano goes out and he fires up. The fans fire up, but Goto avoids the pad smack to RAM Yano into railing! Goto then brings Yano around, but Yano reverses, only for Goto to reverse! They go around and around, and then around some more!

Goto and Yano keep countering each other! They end up getting dizzy and stagger around! Goto kicks Yano, whips, but Yano reverses and finally Goto hits railing! Fans rally up and Yano brings Goto up. Yano apologizes to the ref, before he whips Goto into more railing! Yano then drags Goto up and brings him around, to put under the ring! Yano then brings Tomukun around, and puts him under the ring?! And then Yano crawls under their with them!? What in the world? The ref pursues them all, but it’s too dark to see. Something is going on under there, so the ref just starts a ring count.

Fans rally, Yano scrambles out from under the ring and inside, and we pass 7 of 20. Now it’s more like Marco Polo or something! Wait, someone else scrambles out from under! GOTOMU!? Goto’s wearing Tomukun’s head! Goto staggers around blindly, bumps into a post, and we pass 15 of 20! Goto carefully feels his way around, gets out of the head, and jumps in at 19! But Yano drags Goto up and around to whip, but Goto reverses! Only for Yano to avoid the bare buckles and taunt Goto. Goto runs in but is sent into bare buckles! Yano rolls Goto up, TWO!! Goto survives the shenanigans but Yano rallies the fans.

Yano runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT Yano down! Fans continue to rally, and Yano goes to another corner. Goto runs in to MURAMASA! And BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Goto drags Yano up and around, and fireman’s carries. But Yano fights with elbows! Yano runs, but Goto follows, only for Yano to fake him out! Atomic drop! And whip into the bare buckles! Goto staggers, and Yano brings him up to ONIGO- NO, Goto fights free! Goto swings, misses, and Yano hits M U! Cover, TWO, but into a fireman’s carry takeover! Cover, TWO!! Goto staggers up, and he blocks the low blow! Yano apologizes! But then tries the other hand!

Goto blocks the second low blow, and he drags Yano up to HEADBUTT! And then another HEADBUTT! Goto drags Yano up again, to HEADBUTT again! Goto won’t let Yano fall, he stands Yano back up to turn him, G T R!! Cover, Goto wins!

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

Yano did use all the tricks he had, and even used Tomukun as a pawn, but he still couldn’t snatch this win from Goto. Will Goto look to make this year his return to prominence?

G1 Climax 33, C Block: Mikey Nicholls w/ Kosei Fujita VS Aaron Henare!

The G1 keeps getting stronger as The Mighty’s Mad Mikey clashes with the United Empire’s Ultimate Weapon! But will Henare see for himself that The Mighty Don’t Kneel? Or will Mikey be just the first one conquered by the United Empire?

Henare has a new look, with his shaved head and warpaint! He is now the Face of Fury, but will he be the face of C Block after this? The bell rings and fans rally up. Henare and Mikey circle, feel things out, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock but Henare finds a point of leverage. Henare puts Mikey on the ropes but Mikey turns it around. The ref counts while the two push each other, and Mikey lets off. Fans applaud as the two reset. Henare and Mikey tie up again, and Mikey headlocks. Mikey grinds the hold but Henare powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, but neither falls! Henare runs again and RAMS Mikey, but Mikey eggs him on.

Henare runs, Mikey follows and ELBOWS, then he runs Henare over! But Henare’s right up to run Mikey over! They RAM shoulders again, then fire off forearms! Fans fire up as it turns into a scrap! They tumble out of the ring and to the floor! Mikey rains down fists then storms off. Henare stands but Mikey comes back to SMACK him off the apron! And again! Mikey whips but Henare reverses to send Mikey into railing! Mikey hits so hard, he tumbles over railing! Kosei checks on Mikey, as does the ref. Mikey stands and Henare is on him with a JUMPING HEADBUTT! Henare then ROCKS Mikey with forearms, and KICKS him against the railing!

Mikey eggs Henare on so Henare KICKS and throws more forearms! Mikey forearms and CHOPS, then CHOPS Henare again! Fans rally up as Mikey follows Henare around and puts him in the ring. Henare stands, Mikey storms up but into an ELBOW! Henare goes up but Mikey ducks the kick! Mikey runs in but Henare ROCKS him, whips him, and pops him up for a SAMOAN DROP! Fans fire up while Henare snarls. Henare drags Mikey up, throws body shots and backs Mikey to a corner. Henare lets off, only to bring Mikey up and snapmare him down. Henare KICKS Mikey in the back, then KICKS him in the front! And SENTONS!

Henare storms around, tells Kosei to watch himself, and then drags Mikey into a leglock. Henare punches Mikey in the sides to get his arms, and Henare nods as he has the modified surfboard, into a STOMP! Cover, TWO!! Mikey survives and pushes Henare from below. Henare just growls and storms around. Henare brings Mikey up, eggs him on, and Mikey fires forearms and CHOPS! Henare SPIN HEEL KICKS! Fans fire up while Henare snarls again. Henare brings Mikey up to HEADBUTT him to the corner! Henare then digs hits boots in! The ref counts, Henare lets off at 4 and glares at the ref.

Henare paces around, runs in, but Mikey ELBOWS him back! Mikey swings, but Henare ducks, only for Mikey to get a DDT! Fans rally behind Mikey as he and Henare go to corners. Mikey runs corner to corner to clothesline! Mikey whips corner to corner, runs in but into a BOOT! Mikey still clotheslines Henare in the corner! Mikey reels Henare in, goes up, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Henare is still in this but Mikey drags him back up. Mikey puts Henare up top, climbs up after him, and fans rally as he brings Henare up. But Henare fights back with body shots! Henare HEADBUTTS Mikey down, but Mikey UPPERCUTS Henare!

Mikey climbs back up, and goes to the very top! Fans fire up for the SUPER DUPER PLEX! Both men are down and fans rally up. Mikey and Henare crawl for each other, give junkyard dog headbutts back and forth, then stand to give stronger headbutts! Mikey is busted open, but he and Henare just start throwing forearms! The fans rally, Henare ROCKS Mikey but Mikey fires a flurry! Mikey wobbles, runs, but into an ELBOW! Henare runs but into a KNEE! But Henare still gets the waistlock!? Henare ignores the pain, but Mikey switches the waistlock. Henare ELBOWS Mikey, but Mikey elbows back! Henare still RAMS Mikey into a corner!

Henare runs corner to corner but Mikey dodges! Mikey runs back in, into a back drop! Mikey sunset flips it, Henare rolls through, but runs into a MIKEY BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!? Mikey’s shock shows through the crimson mask growing on his face! Mikey sits Henare up, runs, but Henare avoids the sliding lariat! Henare winds up for the BODY BLOW! Mikey sputters but stays standing, so Henare clamps on the half nelson. Mikey fights but Henare manages the ULTIMA FULL NELSON! Mikey endures, reaches out for ropes, and he stomps his way forward! ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and Henare lets off in frustration.

Mikey flops back and Henare says he’ll end this. Mikey staggers back up, Henare reels him in, and has the fisherman! Mikey fights free, wrenches and CLUBS the arm, then fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! And SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Henare survives and Mikey is frustrated. Fans rally up but Mikey’s still in rough shape. He roars to his feet and fans fire up as he points to the corner! Mikey climbs to the top, to MOONSAULT FLOP! Henare avoids disaster and he goes to the corner. Mikey flounders and Henare waits on him to rise. Mikey stands and Henare fires another BODY BLOW! And a strike fest!

Mikey blocks a kick to SLAP and SLAP but Henare JUMP KNEES! Fans fire up as Henare brings down the kneepad! Henare runs corner to corner, SHINING WIZARD!! And then fisherman, but Mikey fights free! Henare HEADBUTTS!! Henare whips, Mikey reverses and scoops, but Henare slips free! Mikey switches, Henare ELBOWS him! But Mikey fights through to lift, MASTER BLASTER!!! Cover, MIKEY WINS!!!

Winner: Mikey Nicholls, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Henare earns 0)

Everyone’s shocked by that comeback! But Mikey just proved that the Mighty may bleed, but they do not kneel! But after what this opening round took out of them, will either Mikey or Henare be able to last until the end?

G1 Climax 33, D Block: Shane Haste w/ Kosei Fujita VS Alex Coughlin!

It’s a Mighty double header as now Hysterical Haste steps up to the plate against one of the Bullet Club War Dogs! Coughlin is an NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champion, will he be able to defend himself? Or can Shane snatch some golden tickets for TMDK’s #YoungPunks?

The bell rings and Coughlin CLOBBERS Shane! And then scoops him for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Shane flounders away and Coughlin swaggers his way over. Shane throws a forearm but Coughlin just DECKS him for it! Coughlin CLUBS Shane, brings him up, but Shane CHOPS! Coughlin just CHOPS back! Shane falls over but Coughlin CHOKES him at the ropes! The ref counts, Coughlin lets off and gets in the ref’s face. The ref warns Coughlin, and Coughlin brings Shane to CHOP! Shane CLAWS Coughlin’s eyes! Coughlin staggers, but then he glares at Shane. Coughlin kicks Shane low then UPPERCUTS him to the corner!

Coughlin brings Shane around to CHOP against ropes, then stalks him around the way. Coughlin stands Shane up, whips, but Shane reverses to DROPKICK! Fans fire up as Coughlin bails out. Shane builds speed and he DIVES! He almost doesn’t make it, but Coughlin still catches him! To OVERHEAD SUPLEX him to the floor! Coughlin throws up the Too Sweet, then stomps Shane around. Coughlin drags Shane up to BOWL him into railing! Coughlin tells the ref to leave him alone, he’ll get Shane in on his own. Coughlin stands on Shane’s hand, then CHOPS him on the back! Coughlin then RAMS Shane into more railing!

Coughlin paces around, Shane throws elbows, but Coughlin CLUBS Shane on the back. The ring count starts but Coughlin stands Shane up in front of commentary, before he wraps on a SLEEPER! Shane sputters and then Coughlin ELBOWS him in the head! The ring count reaches 10 of 20 but Coughlin stalks Shane. Coughlin refreshes the ring count but Shane ROCKS him! And then APRON BACK SUPLEXES! Coughlin writhes and crawls into the ring, and Shane goes up a corner. Fans fire up but Coughlin DECKS Shane first! Shane is on the apron, and Coughlin drags him up! DEADLIFT GUT WRENCH SUPERPLEX!!

Fans applaud the showing of sheer strength and Coughlin covers, TWO! Coughlin is frustrated and he kicks Shane around. Coughlin stands Shane up and CHOPS him to a corner. Coughlin digs his knees in and CHOKES Shane on the ropes! The ref counts, Coughlin taunts Kosei, and then he whips Shane corner to corner hard! Shane hits buckles and falls, and Coughlin takes his time. Coughlin UPPERCUTS Shane again, whips him corner to corner hard again, and Shane slumps against the ropes. Coughlin brings Shane up but Shane pushes him. Coughlin CLUBS him! And CLUBS him! And then whips, only for Shane to blocks!

Shane ROCKS and CHOPS, but Coughlin PALM STRIKES! Coughlin whips, Shane reverses and SAIDOS! Fans fire up as Shane rises! Shane KICKS and BOOTS and reels Coughlin in, FLIP OUT BACK SUPLEX! Coughlin flounders, and Shane runs in, SHANE-NING WIZARD!! Cover, TWO!! Coughlin survives and fans rally up! Shane has a wild look in his eyes as he gets Coughlin back up. Shane suplexes but Coughlin blocks. Coughlin throws body shots, suplexes, but Shane slips free to waistlock. Coughlin elbows free, swings, but into a spin and BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Coughlin survives but Shane says okay then.

Fans rally up and Shane sits Coughlin up to KICK! And KICK! And KICK again! Shane gives more kicks, then an UPPERCUT! And another UPPERCUT! Coughlin avoids the third but Shane fights the waistlock. Coughlin still GERMAN SUPLEXES! And then fireman’s carries, for a DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Cover, TWO! Coughlin rains down fists and elbows in frustration, then CHOKES Shane! The ref counts, Coughlin lets off, and he drags Shane up. But Shane BOOTS him! Shane swings, but Coughlin blocks to POINT-BLANK LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Shane survives and Coughlin grows frustrated.

The fans rally up, but Coughlin looms over Shane. Coughlin hauls Shane up, suplexes, but Shane fights! Coughlin still keeps Shane up! Shane keeps fighting, and manages body scissors and the KIMURA! But Coughlin CLUBS Shane, ROCKS him, and pops him up for a POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Shane survives and Coughlin is pissed at the ref! Coughlin then throws Shane out of the ring, brings him up and RAMS him into railing! Coughlin goes looking under the ring, and he brings out a chair! Coughlin tosses that into the ring, then gets another chair, to also toss into the ring. Coughlin SMACKS Shane off the timekeeper’s table!

Coughlin puts Shane in the ring, grabs his NJPW Strong Openweight Tag belt, but the ref keeps him from using it! Coughlin shoves the ref down, but Shane SAIDOS Coughlin onto the chairs!! Shane hurries to get Coughlin up, fireman’s carry and BOMB VALLEY DEATH!! Cover, SHANE WINS!!

Winner: Shane Haste, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Coughlin earns 0)

It’s a sweep for the TMDK OG as both Shane and Mikey win their matches! And with Shane scoring the win on a tag champion, will he and Mikey look to be golden after the G1?

G1 Climax 33, C Block: Shingo Takagi VS Eddie Kingston!

The Rampaging Dragon has been IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champion, the NEVER Openweight Championship, and the KOPW Championship, but he’s never had the NJPW Strong Openweight title. Given how long and hard Eddie fought to become a champion in NJPW, is there no stopping him now? Or will Takagi make the Mad King tranquilo here in Hokkaido?

The bell rings and the two storm right up to go chest to chest! Fans rally up as they push each other with shoulders. Eddie shoves Takagi, Takagi RAMS Eddie, but Eddie stays put. Takagi runs to RAM Eddie, and then Eddie runs to RAM Takagi! Takagi rebounds, they RAM shoulders, then Takagi shoves Eddie to a corner. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! Fans fire up and Takagi CHOPS! Eddie brings the straps down already!? Eddie eggs Takagi on and Takagi CHOPS! Eddie CHOPS! Fans fire up and Takagi sputters for a second, but Takagi comes back to CHOP! Eddie is stinging, but he fires up to CHOP again!

Fans rally as Takagi pumps up to CHOP! Eddie takes a second, Takagi eggs him on, and Eddie fires back up to CHOP again! Takagi JABS, JABS and JABS! Takagi whips, Eddie reverses and CHOPS! Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS and Eddie falls! Takagi finally feels that stinging, and he gives Eddie some toying kicks. Eddie stands up to slap, so Takagi slaps! It’s a SLAP fight! Takagi eggs Eddie on, so Eddie SLAPS, and SLAPS! Takagi JABS! Eddie URAKENS!! Takagi falls outta the ring! Fans fire up and Eddie takes a second to steady himself. Eddie waits on Takagi but the ref goes out to check him. Takagi is somehow still in this so Eddie goes out to fetch him!

Eddie drags Takagi up to CHOP him against railing! And CHOPS him again! Eddie brings Takagi around with a fishhook, to CHOP again! Takagi staggers away, but he ELBOWS Eddie back! Eddie knees low, and whips Takagi into railing! Eddie seethes and storms up, but Takagi clinches and whips! Eddie hits railing, but he comes right back to run Takagi over! Fans rally up and Eddie grits his teeth. Eddie looms over Takagi, brings him up, and puts him in at 6 of 20. Fans cheer and Eddie storms up on Takagi in a corner. Eddie fires off MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Takagi turns it around to JAB and CHOP on repeat!

Fans fire up as Takagi JABS, JABS and CHOPS! But Eddie turns it around for more MACHINE GUN CHOPS! And an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Eddie keeps his cool and stalks behind Takagi. Eddie brings Takagi up but Takagi fights the half nelson. Takagi RAMS Eddie into buckles, but Eddie storms up! Into ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Fans rally up as Takagi shouts. Takagi goes back to Eddie and drags him up. Takagi whips, then KNEES Eddie against ropes! Takagi runs to run Eddie over! Fans fire up and Takagi brings Eddie up to suplex! Then he looks to the camera, but he holds off on saying the line.

Takagi storms up on Eddie in the corner, hoists him up to the top rope, and he climbs up after him. And then he hits a SUPERPLEX! Fans fire up for how fast that went! Takagi crawls to the cover, TWO! Eddie is still in this, and Takagi now says IT’S TIME! Fans rally with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi rises. Takagi sits Eddie up, gives him toying kicks, and Eddie scowls. Takagi JABS, but Eddie eggs him on. Takagi JABS again, but Eddie just shakes his head. Takagi CHOPS, so Eddie stands up! And he fires off ridge hand chops! Takagi fires off ridge hands in return! Eddie gives them back, then powers up, but Takagi ducks the backhand to SAIDO!

Takagi hurries to run, but Eddie BOOTS! Takagi ELBOWS, Eddie ENZIGURIS! And then SAIDOS! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up while both men are down and stirring. Fans rally, Eddie sits up first, and then stands. Eddie storms up on Takagi, brings him up, NORTHERN- NO, Takagi fights free! They go to opposite corners, and fans rally up. Eddie shouts at Takagi and Takagi stands. Takagi headbutts the buckles and Eddie powers up his hand! They both run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And still, Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! But Eddie PALM STRIKES!

Eddie ROCKS Takagi, runs, but into a lariat! Takagi keeps moving, but Eddie LARIATS him down! But Takagi’s right up to PUMPING BOMBER! Eddie’s right up!? HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEX! Takagi stands, to PUMPING BOMBER again!! Fans are thunderous while both men are down! We pass 10 minutes and fans rally up. Takagi stirs and sits up, then fires fans up with “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi brings Eddie up, but Eddie spins, only for Takagi to block the uraken! Takagi JABS, HEADBUTTS, and then BACK ELBOWS! Takagi steals NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Cover, ONE?!?! Takagi is shocked but he watches Eddie rise. Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!

Fans rally up as Eddie survives again! But Takagi fires up and drags Eddie up. Takagi pump handles and torture racks, but Eddie slips free! Takagi fights the dragon sleeper to suplex, but Eddie fights free to LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!?! Takagi shocks Eddie now! Fans rally up, Eddie and Takagi glare at each other as they rise. Takagi fires a forearm, but Eddie eggs him on! Takagi throws more shots, but Eddie stays on his feet. Takagi fires boxing elbows! Fans rally and Takagi ROCKS Eddie, but Eddie URAKENS! Eddie roars and URAKENS, but Takagi LARIATS! Neither falls, Eddie rebounds to block the lariat and URAKEN!!

Fans fire up with Eddie and he reels Takagi in! NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Cover, EDDIE WINS!

Winner: Eddie Kingston, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Takagi earns 0)

Calling this an upset is underselling Eddie Kingston! The Mad King slays the Rampaging Dragon, will he fight his way to the top of NJPW?

G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr w/ Kosei Fujita!

The Ace of the Universe and the Submission Master are no strangers, this is but another chapter in their rivalry. But will Tanahashi refuse to #JustTapOut? Or will the Frontman complete the Mighty sweep?

Tanahashi takes off the jacket and fans cheer for the muscles. ZSJ then flexes and poses and fans cheer his muscles. The bell rings and fans rally, “Let’s Go, Ace! Let’s Go, Ace!” Tanahashi and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and then back away. Tanahashi fires up with an “OSU!” and the fans cheer. The two tie up, Tanahashi headlocks and hits a takeover. ZSJ headscissors, squeezes tight, and keeps Tanahashi down. Tanahashi bridges back, turns ZSJ over and ties up the legs, but ZSJ slips free and gets away. Fans cheer this opening exchange, and the two go again. They tie up, ZSJ headlocks, and he hits a takeover.

Tanahashi headscissors and now he holds tight. Tanahashi puts on the pressure but ZSJ moves around. ZSJ goes side to side, gets up and hops around to then kip free. Fans cheer and ZSJ eggs Tanahashi on. Tanahashi resets and circles with ZSJ, and Tanahashi flexes. ZSJ and Tanahashi tie up, they’re in a deadlock, but ZSJ powers Tanahashi back, using his height as leverage! But Tanahashi powers back and puts ZSJ in the corner! The ref counts, ZSJ and Tanahashi let off, but then ZSJ UPPERCUTS! So Tanahashi UPPERCUTS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Tanahashi UPPERCUTS again! Fans fire up as the two UPPERCUT back and forth!

Tanahashi uppercuts again and again but ZSJ catches his arms! Tanahashi fights the backslide, then switches the hooks! ZSJ switches them back, but then Tanahashi switches back, and the two go back and forth with that! ZSJ eggs Tanahashi on, they both turn around and Tanahashi wrenches the arm! ELBOW BREAKER! Fans rally and Tanahashi drags ZSJ up with a double wristlock and takedown! Into short arm scissors! ZSJ endures, moves around, turns Tanahashi over, but Tanahashi powers him back down. ZSJ rolls back and stacks Tanahashi, ONE! Tanahashi still has the arm scissor!

ZSJ moves around again, turns Tanahashi over, and powers his way through, only for Tanahashi to bring him back down! ZSJ reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go quickly, and fans cheer. Tanahashi drags ZSJ up and to the ropes. Tanahashi wrenches the arm again, but ZSJ turns it into a SLEEPER! The ref counts, Tanahashi’s already red as ZSJ lets go at 4. Tanahashi steps in, but ZSJ gets the leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ grabs that leg for a standing toehold, then he drops knees on the knee! Tanahashi writhes, and ZSJ drags him around to hook the leg, and then bridges! INVERTED DEATHLOCK!

Fans rally as Tanahashi endures. ZSJ then adds more pressure, HEEL HOOK! They roll, and into the ropes! Fans cheer as Tanahashi is saved. ZSJ lets Tanahashi go, stalks him, and then hits a SPIN TOEHOLD! And then drops knees on the knee again! Tanahashi writhes but ZSJ paces. Tanahashi eggs ZSJ on so ZSJ KICKS him down! And kicks at the bad leg! ZSJ toys with Tanahashi, but Tanahashi stands, so ZSJ KICKS him! Tanahashi eggs him on so ZSJ KICKS him again, and again! Tanahashi fires forearms in return! And an UPPERCUT! Tanahashi wrenches an arm, but ZSJ kicks the bad leg!

ZSJ whips but Tanahashi blocks by holding ropes! ZSJ keeps trying, but Tanahashi uses that to TWEAK ZSJ’s arm! ZSJ kicks the bad leg, whips, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! Fans rally up and Tanahashi waits on ZSJ. ZSJ stands and Tanahashi fires fast hands! Tanahashi backs ZSJ down, then scoops him to SLAM him into the drop zone! Fans fire up as Tanahashi hops up, but ZSJ stands! Tanahashi BOOTS ZSJ, reels him in, HANGING KIMURA! ZSJ clasps hands behind his back to relieve pressure, but Tanahashi hops down. They go around, Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS again! Tanahashi goes up, to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally, Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ gets around to a COBRA TWIST! But Tanahashi fights it to switch it onto ZSJ! ZSJ bends fingers to get around, COBRA TWIST! But Tanahashi hip tosses free! Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ dropkicks the legs out! We’ve passed the 10 minute mark and both men are down. Fans rally, Tanahashi goes to a corner and hobbles up. ZSJ storms up, and blocks a boot! Then blocks the other boot, to DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi falls over and rolls away, clutching the knee. ZSJ storms up, gets the leg, and has a STANDING HEEL HOOK! Tanahashi kicks with the free leg, but ZSJ catches it!

ZSJ works to turn Tanahashi over, but Tanahashi resists! Tanahashi knows ZSJ is going for the Texas Cloverleaf, and so he drags ZSJ down into the TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi has ZSJ in one of ZSJ’s favorites! ZSJ endures, fights around, powers through, and GROUND DRAGON SCREWS! ZSJ eggs Tanahashi on and Tanahashi sits up. ZSJ KICKS Tanahashi, but Tanahashi eggs him on! PENALTY- NO, Tanahashi catches ZSJ! But ZSJ still slips to SPINNING TOEHOLD, into a HEEL HOOK! ZSJ bends the leg in a modified Calf Killer! Fans rally as Tanahashi endures, and they roll into the ROPEBREAK!

Fans cheer as Tanahashi is saved again, but the damage to that leg keeps piling on. ZSJ goes to a corner, then runs in to PENALTY- NO, Tanahashi blocks again! And spins ZSJ, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ bobs ‘n’ weaves, KICKS the bad leg, but Tanahashi fights the Shinbreaker to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Fans fire up and Tanahashi brings ZSJ around. GROUND ARM SCREW! And then another! Tanahashi drags ZSJ up to GROUND ARM SCREW again! Tanahashi fires up, but ZSJ snatches him for a SLEEPER! Tanahashi fights and grabs the bad arm, ELBOW BREAKER! ZSJ KICKS the bad leg! Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS!

ZSJ rebounds to dropkick the legs out! But Tanahashi gets up to basement dropkick ZSJ! Tanahashi whips, ZSJ reverses but Tanahashi SLINGBLADES! Cover, TWO! ZSJ is still in this but Tanahashi fires up! Tanahashi goes up top at the 15 minute mark! Tanahashi aims, to HIGH FLY ATTACK! But ZSJ rolls it through, and PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! ZSJ keeps cool and brings Tanahashi up. ZSJ scoops, but Tanahashi slips free to ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! ZSJ clasps hands to fight but Tanahashi pries the grip apart! But ZSJ stands to put the ARMBAR on Tanahashi! But Tanahashi stands to put the ARMBAR back on ZSJ!

ZSJ clasps hands again so Tanahashi CLUBS the grip! But ZSJ rolls to a deep stack, and WINS!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Tanahashi earns 0)

The Frontman pulls victory from outta nowhere, and TMDK has swept the night! Tanahashi faces another #YoungPunk next round, will he be able to redeem himself? Will ZSJ lead the way to making NJPW mighty?

G1 Climax 33, C Block: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS EVIL!

Tama Tonga may be the Good Bad Guy, but he’s up against the King of Darkness. Will Tama be ready for all the tricks the House of Torture has up their proverbial sleeves? Or will he see that Everything is Evil?

But of course, Evil attacks Tama while he’s posing on the corner! Evil CLUBS Tama, then CHOKES him with his House of Torture shirt! Red Shoes reprimands and fans boo but Evil lets Tama go. The bell rings and Evil fireman’s carries! Tama fights free, catches Evil to a clinch, and EXPLODER! Fans fire up as Tama pursues Evil out of the ring. Tama throws hands, then SMACKS him off the apron! And again! Tama headlocks to punch Evil, and Evil staggers around while fans rally up. Tama puts Evil in the ring, Evil wants mercy as he goes to the corner, but Tama fires off haymakers, stomps and fast hands!

Tama climbs up and fans fire up as he rains down punches! Tama goes all the way to 9, gives some flip, flop ‘n’ fly to then BIONIC ELBOW for the tenth! Tama whips corner to corner hard, and fans rally up with him. Tama goes corner to corner to STINGER- NO, Evil dodges and pulls the buckle pad away! Tama hits bare buckles, tasting the Bullet Club Special already! Tama writhes, fans boo, and Red Shoes reprimands, but how’d that even happen? Wait! There’s Dick Togo! He snuck out here like the snake he is! Evil drags Tama up, throws him out, and then goes out to CLUB him down! Fans boo, and Jado keeps Dick from getting closer.

Evil brings Tama up the ramp, to suplex him to the floor! Evil then pulls railing apart and drags Tama into the crowd! Fans get out of the way and Young Lions stay between them and the action, but Evil still SMACKS Tama off a chair! And stomps him! Evil drags Tama up, has more fans move as he brings Tama that way, but Tama fights back! But Evil CLAWS the eyes! Evil stomps Tama down, drags him up, and brings him along to BOWL him into chairs! Evil leaves Tama behind to go to the ring. Red Shoes reprimands but there’s not much more he can do. Fans rally for Tama while Evil gives a thumbs down to English commentary.

The ring count starts, Tama stirs at 5 of 20 and rises at 7. But then Evil just snatches the hammer to ring the bell! Fans boo, he doesn’t decide that the match is over! The count starts over because of that! Evil is annoyed while Tama flounders his way to the aisle. Tama stands at 13 and walks the rest of the way, but he still stumbles at 17! Tama hurries back up, and SLIDES in at 19.9!! Evil is upset with Red Shoes for starting over, but then he covers. Red Shoes says no, it’s not fair. Evil & Dick protest but Jado has a good laugh. Evil hauls Tama up to a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Tama is still in this and Evil again blames Red Shoes.

Evil stands on Tama’s face, taunts him and the fans, then gives Tama toying kicks. Jado coaches Tama up, fans rally up, but Evil kicks Tama again. Tama gets mad and he throws body shots! Evil CLAWS the eyes again! Red Shoes reprimands, Evil whips, but Tama comes back! But into a mule kick! But Tama DROPKICKS Evil down! Fans rally up as Tama and Evil stir. Jado coaches Tama and he stands up. Tama rallies on Evil with forearms and clotheslines, and then a scoop SLAM! Fans fire up and Tama aims as Evil goes to the corner. Tama runs in, STINGER SPLASH! Evil falls and Tama covers, TWO!

Tama stays focused, and he CLUBS Evil! And CLUBS him again! Tama CLOBBERS Evil point blank, then covers, TWO! Evil is hanging tough but Tama drags him up into a dragon sleeper. Evil fights from below, and fishhooks Tama’s nose! Red Shoes reprimands but Tama lets go. Evil blocks Tama’s kick, hands the foot to Red Shoes, but Tama blocks Evil’s kick! Red Shoes lets go, Tama CLUBS Evil’s leg! Tama whips, Evil reverses and then grabs at Red Shoes, but Tama body blows Evil first! Tama suplexes, but Evil fights it! Evil powers through to hit the FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO, and Evil falls on Red Shoes!

Evil drags Tama up and Young Lions check on Red Shoes. Evil hits another FISHERMAN BUSTER! And then Dick storms in! Jado gets up on the apron, blocks Dick’s punch, but then Dick blocks Jado’s punch to DECK Jado! Fans boo but Dick puts one out. Evil grins as he and Dick stomp away on Tama! Fans boo more as Evil puts one out now. The fans tell Dick to go away, but he says no. Dick and Evil get Tama up, MAGIC KILLER!! Evil calls to Red Shoes and Red Shoes returns. Evil covers, ONE?!?! Evil can’t believe it! Evil hurries to step through, but Tama resists the turn! Evil powers through, to get the SHARPSHOOTER!

Tama endures and we pass 10 minutes. Tama moves around, fans rally up, and Tama powers his way forward! Jado coaches Tama, and Tama gets the ROPEBREAK! Evil holds until Red Shoes counts 4! Evil stalks Tama, talks trash, and then drags him up. Evil drags Tama up, fireman’s carries, but Tama fights free! TONGAN TWIST!! Fans fire up while both men are down! Tama goes to a corner, drags himself up, and Evil stands. Evil storms up but Tama BOOTS him! Tama runs to SUPERMAN FOREARM! Evil rushes in but into a fireman’s carry! Evil slips free but Tama PELES! And then SPINEBUSTERS!

Fans fire up with Tama again and he goes right up the corner! SUPREME FLOW!! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives and Tama grows frustrated. Jado coaches Tama and Tama rallies the fans by pounding the mat. The clapping speeds up, but Dick drags Evil out of the ring! Fans boo but Dick scurries away. Dick then gets on the apron, but Jado points it out! Problem is, Red Shoes tells Jado to get down! Tama rushes Dick but Dick HOTSHOTS him away! Evil returns and turns Tama around! EVERYTHING- NO, Tama gets around to roll Evil up! TWO!! Evil swings, but Tama waistlocks, shoves, follows, then redirects to GUN-

NO! Evil blocks it! Evil shoves Tama away, goes to the corner, LARIAT! Both men are down again and fans rally for Tama! Evil brings Tama around as we hit 15 minutes. Evil stands Tama up, fireman’s carries, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives and fans fire up! Evil is too tired to be upset, and the fans rally back up. Evil snarls and slashes his throat. He drags Tama up, spins him around, EVERYTHING- NO, Tama fights with elbows! Tama is free but Evil LARIATS! Tama stays up! Evil runs in again to LARIAT! Tama stays up! Evil whips Tama into the bare buckles! But Tama rises! And LARIATS Evil!!

Fans fire up as OFF COMES THE VEST! Dick gets in!? GUNSTUN for Dick!! Tama hurries to get Evil up, Half Hatch to BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, TWO!?! Evil survives but Tama vows to end this! Three minute warning and Tama underhooks! But Evil fights the lift, wrenches out, and catches Tama! Evil pulls hair, whips Tama to the bare buckles, but Tama goes up! Evil sends Red Shoes in! Tama goes up and over Red Shoes, to GUN- NO, Evil blocks and LOW BLOWS!! EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!! Cover, EVIL WINS!!

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

Just when you think Evil hasn’t found new lows, he does! The King of Darkness continues to steal victories, will he end up stealing the entire G1?

G1 Climax 33, D Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Jeff Cobb!

The Uncontrollable Charisma has once again vowed to make it to WrestleKingdom and fight for the world title, but that’s a long road to travel. Will Naito make that journey back to the top of NJPW? Or will the United Empire’s Imperial Unit be a massive roadblock?

Naturally, Naito takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire. Cobb is annoyed but he stays patient. Naito finishes with the pants, the bell rings and fans rally for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” Cobb shrugs that off, steps to Naito, and Naito raises the LIJ fist. Cobb says okay, but then raises the hang loose. So Naito kicks low! And CLUBS Cobb, then throws him out! Naito builds speed, but Cobb trips Naito up! Cobb knows that trick and he drags Naito out to RAM into railing! Cobb brings Naito around to whip, but Naito reverses and now Cobb hits railing! But Cobb comes back, only for Naito to kick him and whip him into more railing!

Naito puts Cobb in the ring and fans cheer. Naito cravats for a neck wrench, but Cobb goes to a corner. Red Shoes counts, Naito thrashes but then Cobb grabs Naito. Naito keeps on the cravat, Red Shoes reprimands them both, and both men slowly let off. Naito then kicks Cobb low again! Naito whips corner to corner, runs in and JUMP KICKS! Naito struggles to get up and over, but he still sweeps the legs and swings in, but Cobb catches Naito! Cobb runs but Naito sunset flips! Cobb rolls through to DROPKICK Naito down! Fans fire up for the display of agility! Naito flounders to ropes, so Cobb kicks him all the way out.

Naito leans against railing, and fans rally up as Cobb considers it. Cobb builds speed! But then he copies Naito with the roll and tranquilo! Cobb goes out to fetch Naito but “Oops!” he steps on him! Cobb pretends he didn’t see Naito there, and he drags Naito up. Cobb SMACKS Naito off the apron, then brings him around to commentary. Cobb makes Naito open his eye, and do the fist bump, then he CLUBS away on Naito’s chest! Red Shoes reprimands, Cobb leaves Naito behind and goes into the ring. Cobb lounges while the ring count starts. Naito sits up at 6 of 20, crawls to the corner, then stands at 12.

Naito goes around the way, slides in at 16, and Cobb stomps him! Cobb drags Naito up, and throat chops! Naito goes to the corner but Cobb brings him out, to suplex, and he holds Naito up with one arm! Fans cheer the feat of strength as Cobb waves, then he SLAMS Naito down! Cocky cover, TWO! Cobb pretends to be surprised, but he drags Naito up. Naito throws body shots and kicks! Naito runs, but into a lift, and Cobb RAMS Naito into the corner! Cobb runs in to JUMP KICK!? Leg sweep?! COMBINACION COBB-RON!! Fans fire up as Cobb continues to copy Naito rather accurately! Cobb then drags Naito to another cocky cover, ONE!

Cobb keeps cool and he brings Naito up. But Naito fires forearms! Cobb knees low, whips Naito, but Naito reverses and TORNADO- NO, Cobb blocks it! Cobb then powers Naito to another suplex! Naito fights free, and pulls Cobb’s hair! Naito brings Cobb around for a NECKBREAKER! Fans rally while both men are down! Cobb and Naito slowly rise, and Naito fires haymakers and kicks! Naito CLUBS and whips Cobb, but Cobb blocks the hip toss to whip Naito away. Naito RAMS into Cobb, keeps moving, and then ELBOWS him! Cobb comes back, Naito gets around to shove and arm-drag! And then an ELBOW, into the basement dropkick!

Fans fire up while Cobb is down. Naito brings Cobb up and whips him to a corner, then runs in to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! COMBINACION feint, and then CABRON! Cobb falls for it and Naito drags him up. Naito snapmares and then wraps on PLUMA BLANCA! Cobb endures as Naito thrashes, and Cobb throws short hammer fists! Naito grabs that arm to add to the hold, but Cobb powers his way around. Cobb deadlifts Naito!? Naito lets go to throw heavy elbows! Cobb flops into a corner and Naito catches his breath. Cobb stands but Naito hoists him up top. Naito climbs up, throws forearm after forearm, then goes to the very top!

Fans fire up but Cobb turns things around! SUPER POWERBOMB!!! Both men are down as Cobb goes all out! Red Shoes checks Naito, he looks dazed! Cobb crawls to the cover, TWO!! Naito is still in this, but Cobb GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Naito survives again and we hit the 10 minute mark. Naito goes to the apron, Cobb storms over and brings Naito up. Cobb drags Naito up, to deadlift SUPER- NO, Naito fights with body shots! Naito throws forearm after forearms, then he DECKS Cobb! Cobb stands and Naito FLYING RANAS! Not the smoothest but Cobb tumbles away!

Naito hurries to whip, Cobb reverses, but then Naito reverses to TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up as Naito brings Cobb back up. Naito hammerlocks, half nelsons, but Cobb CLUBS Naito with that arm! Naito ripcords but Cobb uses that to ATHLETIC PLEX! Fans fire up and Cobb roars! Cobb drags Naito up, brings him around, and ripcords, but Naito throws heavy elbows! Naito then ducks the haymaker, stops himself with ropes, and BOOTS Cobb! Tilt-o-whirl, but Cobb sets Naito down! Naito ENZIGURIS, tilt-o-whirls again, CORRIENDOSHIKI DESTINO! Naito then wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, but Cobb blocks it and pops Naito around!! TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!!

Fans are thunderous as both men are down! A standing count starts and fans rally up! Naito and Cobb stir at 5, but Cobb stands at 7! Naito is still down at 8, but he springs to his feet at 9.5!! Cobb runs in, into a heavy elbow! And ROLLING KICK! Naito atomic drops and Cobb falls, ROLLING JACKKNIFE BRIDGE! TWO!! Naito keeps moving, but Cobb scoops! Naito turns it to a cradle! TWO!! Cobb JABS, then GERMAN SUPLEXES!! But Naito’s right up!?! Naito runs in, into a HEADBUTT!! Cobb fires up, he deadlifts Naito for the TOUR OF THE ISLAND!!! Cover, COBB WINS!!

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

The unthinkable just happened! Not that Naito lost, but that he lost after getting all fired up! If this is how his (potentially) last G1 starts, how will it end?!

As for Cobb, he snatches Naito’s baseball cap! Cobb wears it like he’s Naito, and then calls for the mic. The mic is given, and Cobb says, “Who thought that I was beating Naito tonight, huh!?” Fans do cheer, there were some. Cobb says for all the doubters, the only thing that matters is the United Empire’s wining the G1! Mainly me! Fans do like the sound of that. Cobb says he will end this on a high note since he has Naito’s sweet hat. And he again copies Naito by saying this is naturally the only way they can close this out! United Empire roll call?! “Ospreay! O-Khan! Henare! TJP! Akira! Aussie Open! Gideon Grey! Callum!” Cobb catches his breath, that’s a lot of names.

Fans cheer and Cobb finishes, “Y Cobb! I wanna hear you guys. NOSOTROS! UNITED! EM-PI-RE!!” Fans cheer Cobb’s LIJ parody, and then he stomps out Naito’s hat! Will the United Empire find a way to completely dominate the G1 Climax?

Here are the current C Block standings!

David Finlay: 1-0, 2 points
EVIL: 1-0, 2 points
Mikey Nicholls: 1-0, 2 points
Eddie Kingston: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi: 0-1, 0 points
Tama Tonga: 0-1, 0 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 0-1, 0 points
Aaron Henare: 0-1, 0 points

Here are the current D Block standings!

Jeff Cobb: 1-0, 2 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 1-0. 2 points
Hirooki Goto: 1-0, 2 points
Shane Haste: 1-0, 2 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 0-1, 0 points
Tetsuya Naito: 0-1, 0 points
Toru Yano: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Coughlin: 0-1, 0 points

My Thoughts:

A great second night for the G1 to give us a strong opening weekend. And a lot of great and surprising wins here. I did not think TMDK was going to sweep the night, with Mikey being the most surprising of the three. Henare returned with a new look and nickname, but I guess only WWE/American wrestling logic says the person with the new gimmick wins automatically. Shane getting a win over Coughlin is great to branch things into TMDK VS War Dogs for the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag titles. ZSJ getting a win made a lot of sense, he and Tanahashi have gone back and forth in the past, and Tanahashi isn’t the kind of wrestler the NJPW World TV Championship is supposed to be about, cuz he’s been around for years.

And now that I think on it, I would love TMDK VS Dream Trio for the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles. It’d be awesome to see ZSJ interact with Ishii, Tanahashi and Okada all in the same match, and of course seeing the same from Shane and Mikey tying up with Okada. But at the same time, TMDK probably wouldn’t win that because it’s still Ishii, Tanahashi & Okada. Finlay beating Ishii also feels fitting, the Bullet Club is rebuilding so Finlay having a good showing in the G1 would go with that. Goto VS Yano was a ton of fun, as pretty much all Yano matches are, and I really like how they got Tomukun in on it.

Takagi VS Eddie was a great match, and that was a great win for Eddie here in what I believe is his first G1. As I said before at NJPW Independence Day, I don’t see Eddie taking his block, but he is going to have a great run, especially with so many first-time-ever matches. Tama VS Evil was really good but of course Evil cheats to win. They still come up with clever ways for him to do it, but they’re bound to run out of those. And then Naito VS Cobb was a great main event, especially with Cobb copying Naito again and again. Great win for Cobb, and it adds pressure to Naito’s story of making it through so he can go to WrestleKingdom. Though, that’s the same story he had last year. Maybe he makes it through to the end after all?

My Score: 8.9/10