Bullet Club: Civil War?

David Finlay has revitalized Bullet Club with his War Dogs, but what about the House of Torture? Will he test Evil in tonight’s main event?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current C Block standings.

David Finlay: 2-0, 4 points
EVIL: 2-0, 4 points
Mikey Nicholls: 1-1, 2 points
Eddie Kingston: 1-1, 2 points
Aaron Henare: 1-1, 2 points
Tama Tonga: 1-1, 2 points
Shingo Takagi: 0-2, 0 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 0-2, 0 points

Here are the current D Block standings.

Jeff Cobb: 2-0, 4 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 2-0, 4 points
Tetsuya Naito: 1-1, 2 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 1-1, 2 points
Hirooki Goto: 1-1, 2 points
Shane Haste: 1-1, 2 points
Toru Yano: 0-2, 0 points
Alex Coughlin: 0-2, 0 points

G1 Climax 33, D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. w/ Kosei Fujita VS Alex Coughlin!

The Front Man is at the top of the block, but he’s running into the Bullet Club’s Dreadnought! Will ZSJ make Coughlin #JustTapOut? Or will this War Dog take a bite out of the NJPW World Television Champion?

The bell rings and the two rush in! ZSJ BOOTS, runs, BOOTS, and then fires off UPPERCUTS! But Coughlin DECKS ZSJ! And DECKS him again! Coughlin soaks up the heat and brings ZSJ up to whip. ZSJ wrenches, traps the arm, and TWEAKS it! ZSJ goes for an arm, manages to bring Coughlin down, but Coughlin deadlifts ZSJ and TOSSES him! Fans do cheer the show of strength and Coughlin pursues ZSJ to the outside. Coughlin whips ZSJ into railing right in front of English commentary! Coughlin then grabs his NJPW Strong Openweight Tag title, but Kosei snatches it from him! So Coughlin DECKS Kosei!

Coughlin whips ZSJ at more railing, but ZSJ stops himself! ZSJ ROUNDHOUSES Coughlin away! ZSJ then pursues Coughlin and KICKS him again! And again! And again! ZSJ wrenches an arm, brings Coughlin around, and STOMPS the arm on the apron! Fans cheer and ZSJ stalks Coughlin. ZSJ brings Coughlin around, wrenches the arm again and again, but Coughlin whips ZSJ back into railing! And again! Coughlin puts ZSJ in the ring, gut wrenches, and suplexes! Cover, TWO! Fans applaud as ZSJ hangs tough. Coughlin stalks ZSJ, stomps him around, then drags ZSJ up. Coughlin CHOPS and ZSJ drops to his knees.

Coughlin stands ZSJ up to CHOP him again! Coughlin eggs on the fans as they rally, and Coughlin whips ZSJ to a corner. Coughlin runs in, blocks a boot, but ZSJ brings Coughlin down to a NECK TWIST! Fans rally while Coughlin writhes, and ZSJ cravats Coughlin for a neck wrench. Coughlin powers up to lift ZSJ with just his neck! And then hits a BACKBREAKER! ZSJ crawls away and Coughlin catches his breath. Coughlin puts ZSJ on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Coughlin lets off at 4. ZSJ sputters, but he hits back with a headbutt to the gut! Coughlin CLUBS ZSJ down, but ZSJ grabs an arm!

Coughlin powers out of the Triangle to CLUB ZSJ again! ZSJ stands to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again! ZSJ runs but Coughlin drop toeholds! And floats to hook the arms, and deadlifts ZSJ into the Reverse Gory Especial! Coughlin stretches ZSJ, but he fights out and flips things around to a COBRA TWIST! Coughlin powers out of that to switch the hold onto ZSJ! Coughlin CLUBS ZSJ in the hip, then pump handles and lifts ZSJ! FALL AWAY SLAM! Fans fire up while ZSJ flounders to the apron. Coughlin storms over and drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ fights the suplex to spin Coughlin around, HANGING DOUBLE WRISTLOCK!

The ref reprimands, ZSJ lets go, and Coughlin falls over. ZSJ isolates an arm to STOMP it! Fans rally up with ZSJ, and he eggs Coughlin on. Coughlin sits up, and ZSJ KICKS him in the chest! Coughlin shakes his head, so ZSJ KICKS again! Coughlin grits his teeth, blocks a kick, and he powers ZSJ up to a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Coughlin stomps ZSJ, deadlift gut wrenches, and pops ZSJ up to his shoulder! But ZSJ DRAGON SLEEPERS! Coughlin fights but ZSJ drops back to body scissors and SLEEPER! But Coughlin rolls back, has ZSJ as a backpack, and pries free to the shoulder rack! POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!

ZSJ is still in this and fans rally up. Coughlin stands but ZSJ sits up. Coughlin brings ZSJ up and around to suplex, but ZSJ wrenches free to PELE the arm! And then wrenches again, but Coughlin ROCKS him! ZSJ BOOTS, Coughlin CHOPS! ZSJ forearms, Coughlin forearms, they go back and forth and the fans fire up! Coughlin SLAPS ZSJ and he doubles over! Coughlin fires up, but ZSJ CHOPS! And SLAPS! And KICKS! And KICKS! And runs, but into a LARIAT! Coughlin roars and we pass 10 minutes. Coughlin brings ZSJ up but ZSJ drags him down! Coughlin fights the armbar but ZSJ slaps at the grip.

The two roll around, Coughlin pops out the back to deadlift waistlock lift! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! ZSJ is hanging tough but Coughlin keeps on him. Coughlin scoops to FALL AWAY BRIDGE! TWO, but Coughlin just holds on and lifts ZSJ again! But ZSJ fights free by wrenching an arm! ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Coughlin again clasps hands, moves around, but ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Coughlin taps, ZSJ wins!!

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

The Android has strength, but even he can’t fortify his joints! Will D Block belong to ZSJ? As for Coughlin, his rage boils over and he chases ZSJ to the back! The Dreadnought is 0-3, what will it take to get on the board?

G1 Climax 33, C Block: Tama Tonga w/ Jado VS Mikey Nicholls w/ Kosei Fujita!

The Good Bad Guy won last round’s main event, and vowed to do his very best to win the G1! Will he continue on that mission? Or will Mad Mikey make Tama mad?

The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Mikey’s height becomes his leverage, and he puts Tama in the corner. The ref counts, Tama avoids Mikey’s swing, and fans applaud. The two reset and circle again, tie up, and go around. Mikey puts Tama in another corner and the ref counts, but Mikey whips Tama away! Tama stops himself, and the two reset again. They tie up, Tama waistlocks then headlocks but Mikey powers out. They RAM shoulders, and Tama runs again. They RAM shoulders, Mikey says not good enough, and Mikey runs. Tama drops down, hurdles, then runs to run Mikey over!

Fans cheer as Tama paces. Tama CLUBS Mikey, whips him to ropes, but Mikey reverses, only for Tama to reel him in! But Mikey suplexes first! Mikey holds Tama up for a count of TWELVE, then SLAMS! Cover, ONE!! Tama hangs tough but Mikey drops a knee on Tama’s head! Tama writhes, Mikey eggs him on, and Mikey throws Tama out. Mikey goes out after Tama, drags him up and whips him, but Tama reverses! Mikey crashes into railing in front of English commentary! Tama ROCKS Mikey, runs in, but Mikey dodges! Tama hits railing and tumbles right over! Mikey goes out to fetch Tama, and ROCKS him with a forearm!

Fans rally and duel as Mikey CLUBS Tama! They go past commentary, Mikey mockingly cheering Tama on. Tama hits back, they brawl and Mikey ROCKS Tama! Mikey brings Tama around to ringside and back in the ring. Fans cheer and Mikey wraps on a chinlock. Mikey traps an arm, too, as he leans on the hold. Tama endures but Mikey grinds him down to the mat. Tama endures, but Mikey leans all his weight on the hold! Tama fights up, throws body shots, and UPPERCUTS! Tama runs but Mikey lifts him up! Fireman’s carry, and DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Cover, TWO! Tama hangs tough and fans rally up.

Mikey gets the towel from Kosei to wipe his forehead, and he brings Tama up. Tama throws body shots, then UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Mikey catches Tama to a backslide but Tama rolls through to UPPERCUT! Both men go to corners, and Tama storms up to fire off fast hands and forearms! The ref counts, Tama whips Mikey back in to UPPERCUT! Fans rally, Tama whips Mikey out and around to put him back in the corner and UPPERCUTS again! Tama whips corner to corner, but Mikey reverses! But Tama comes back to CLOBBER Mikey! And OFF COMES THE VEST! Fans rally up with Tama as he watches Mikey.

Tama runs in, STINGER SPLASH! And then a clinch, for an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Mikey hangs tough but fans rally with Tama. Tama paces around and stalks Mikey. Tama brings Mikey up but Mikey ROCKS Tama! And again! And again! Tama fires fast hands and ROCKS Mikey back! Mikey ROCKS Tama, Tama runs in, but into a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER this time! But Tama stands right up! Tama runs in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, so they throw CHOPS and forearms! Mikey gets the edge but Tama ENZIGURIS! Tama hurries to fireman’s carry, S R C! Fans fire up with Tama as he goes to the corner!

Tama climbs, but Mikey trips him up! Mikey fireman’s carries Tama again, but Tama fights free! GUN- NO, Mikey slips right out! But Tama ducks the sliding lariat! Tama runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Tama is still in this but Mikey keeps cool. Mikey vows to end this, and he drags Tama up. Mikey whips, scoops, but Tama slips free to shove, run and redirect! But Mikey lifts Tama again! BIG ENDING!! Mikey drags Tama to a drop zone and goes up the corner! MOONSAULT GUN STUN!! Tama counters and fans fire up! Then standing GUN STUN!! Cover, Tama wins!

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

So what if The Mighty Don’t Kneel? They still fall! And with that, Tama passes Mikey in the current rankings! Will the Good Bad Guy be THE guy in the G1?

G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hirooki Goto VS Shane Haste w/ Kosei Fujita!

The Fierce Warrior and Hysterical Shane are each 1-1, both having lost last round. But who gets back up to continue towards the top of the block, and who falls towards the bottom?

The bell rings and Shane DROPKICKS Goto right away! Then runs corner to corner to CALF KICK! Shane keeps moving and he CANNONBALLS! Fans fire up and Shane hurries to cover, TWO! Shane fires up and he brings Goto around but Goto gets away. The ref has Shane hold on, did he do more damage than even he expected? But then Shane shoves the ref aside to KICK Goto in the side! Goto sputters and fans rally, but Shane KICKS Goto around some more! Goto snarls and eggs Shane on so Shane KICKS him down! Shane then drags Goto up, brings him around, talks some trash, then runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT!

Both men are down and now Shane sputters from that shot to the face. Goto growls and stands, but Shane fireman’s carries! Goto slips free to a SLEEPER! Shane flails, claws at the hold, but he’s fading fast! Shane elbows Goto in the gut and Goto lets him go! Goto sputters again, goes to ropes, and Shane ROCKS him! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And body shots! Shane feints running, but Goto HEADBUTTS him! SLEEPER, and then roll into GOTO NI SHIKI! GOTO WINS!

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

Shane is stunned that he got caught that fast! TMDK go 1-2 on the night, will the G1 slip through their fingers? As for Goto, can he still return to prominence?

G1 Climax 33, C Block: Eddie Kingston VS HENARE!

The Mad King got cheated by the King of Darkness while the Face of Fury slayed the Rampaging Dragon. But there is still a lot of ground to make up before the end, who will hit hardest and take the win?

Henare SUPERKICKS Eddie during the ref’s check! The ref asks if Eddie is still able to fight and Eddie says yes! The  bell rings and Henare PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Eddie survives and Henare is furious! Henare rains down forearms, then storms around the ring. Fans rally, Henare puts Eddie through the ropes to bend him back, and CLUB away on his chest! Eddie flops over and to the apron, but Henare goes out after him. Henare pursues Eddie and HEADBUTTS him around the way! Eddie staggers, shakes it off, and CHOPS Henare! Henare snarls and keeps after Eddie with another HEADBUTT!

Eddie staggers, but he CHOPS back! Henare snarls again, the ref wants this in the ring, but Henare storms up on Eddie to throw body shots! Eddie gets in the ring but Henare is right on him. Henare ducks the Uraken to ROCK Eddie! Eddie roars, but Henare blocks the Uraken, to WRING the arm out! Fans rally up while Eddie writhes. Eddie goes to ropes, Henare storms up, and Henare pulls on the arm to then HOTSHOT it! Eddie flounders away, Henare storms up to him in the corner, and he throws heavy shots! And a HEADBUTT! Henare fires up and fans cheer, then Henare talks trash on Eddie.

Eddie slaps Henare! And again, and again! Henare ROCKS Eddie! Henare drags Eddie up but Eddie CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! And RIDGEHANDS! Henare snapmares to KICK Eddie in the back! Eddie pushes up but the bad arm gives up! Henare KICKS Eddie, then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Eddie hangs tough, but Henare sits him up. Henare pulls on the bad arm, almost has a Fujiwara Armbar, but Eddie claws his way around! Eddie reaches out, fights over, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and ref counts, but Henare lets go at 4. Henare paces around and waits on Eddie.

Eddie rises but he fights the full nelson! Eddie switches, Henare swings an elbow, but into an EXPLODER! Henare staggers up, into another EXPLODER! Henare roars and runs in, but into a LARIAT! Fans rally and both men stir. Eddie shakes out the bad arm while Henare shakes out the cobwebs. They crawl to each other, and Eddie headbutts! But Henare headbutts back! Eddie gives another, so Henare gives another! They stand and Eddie CHOPS! Even though that’s the bad hand! Henare forearms, Eddie CHOPS, repeat! Eddie gets the edge but then Henare fires palm strikes from all sides! BODY BLOW! Eddie powers up but then falls!

Henare grins as he aims from a corner. Henare fires up and the fans rally. Eddie rises and Henare runs in, but Eddie blocks Rampage to a DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Henare goes to a corner and Eddie shakes out the bad arm again. Eddie runs in to clothesline! Again, the bad arm! But Eddie swings, only for Henare to dodge! Henare BACK ELBOWS, but Eddie ducks the Flying Chuck! Eddie whips, Henare reverses and scoops, BERSERKER BOMB! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! Henare growls and grits his teeth as he crawls over to Eddie. Eddie stands but flops over, still holding the bad arm.

Henare slaps his legs into working and fans rally up. Henare runs in, SHINING WIZARD in the corner! Snapmare, and Henare runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Eddie survives and Henare roars! Henare paces around as fans rally and duel! Henare drags Eddie up, fisherman’s, but Eddie fights that to HAYMAKER! Henare staggers around, Eddie runs in to whip corner to corner! Henare comes back to RAMPAGE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Eddie survives but Henare fires up! Fans rally, Henare drags Eddie up again, fisherman, but Eddie fights free again! ENZIGURI! Henare wobbles, into another ENZIGURI!

Henare roars, swings, but into the HALF ‘N’ HALF! Eddie powers up, and he fires a forearm! But the bad elbow! Eddie just PAINT BRUSH SLAPS Henare with his left hand! Henare flops over and the ref checks him as we hit 10 minutes! Fans fire up and Henare stir, so Eddie brings Henare up. Henare SPINNING HEEL KICKS! But Eddie URAKENS! Henare HEADBUTTS! But Eddie URAKENS!! Henare falls, Eddie falls on the cover! EDDIE WINS!

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

That might’ve ended up a double knockout if Eddie didn’t fall forward! But in the end, The Mad King refuses to be conquered by the United Empire! Will everyone see that Eddie is NJPW Strong?

G1 Climax 33, D Block: Toru Yano VS Tetsuya Naito!

The Clown Prince could not pull one over on ZSJ, while the Uncontrollable Charisma was able to bring down Hirooki Goto. Will Yano be able to trick Naito into a loss? Or will Naito make things tranquilo in Nagano?

But the trolling begins as Naito makes his entrance, taking his time so as to exasperate Yano. Yano shouts for Naito to hurry, the ref keeps him back, but then even the ref tells Naito to please go to the ring already. Yano almost goes after Naito at the ramp! Wait, then Naito turns to run back up the ramp? Yano is furious that Naito wants to do the whole thing again! But fans still clap along with the song as they get the “encore.” It’s been about three MINUTES already, and Naito finally gets in the ring. Then there’s still the ref checking both men, and Naito putting away his elaborate entrance attire. All of this is driving Yano nuts!

Yano shouts for Naito to hurry it up but of course that only encourages Naito to take longer. Five minutes have already passed and Naito is finally ready. The bell rings and Yano is all fired up! Fans rally, Naito keeps toying with Yano, and Yano rushes in! Naito stays back so the two have to reset. They rush up again but then Naito backs away. Naito does last minute stretching and Yano is annoyed. The two circle, tie up, and Yano puts Naito on ropes! Yano says Naito wasn’t even trying! The fans cheer and Naito resets with Yano. They tie up, but again Naito doesn’t try! Yano is further annoyed but that amuses the fans.

Naito lazily rallies the fans with clapping, and the two tie up. Naito rolls Yano up! TWO!! Yano stands but into a cradle! TWO!! Atomic drop! Naito runs for ROLLING JACKKNIFE! TWO!!! Yano escapes and that surprises Naito! Yano bails out, paces in frustration and then goes up the ramp. Yano doesn’t get what Naito’s playing at, but Naito just waits in the ring. Yano goes back, but he wants Naito to back away from the ropes! Naito now tells Yano he should hurry up. Yano says he doesn’t wanna hear that from Naito! Yano wants to go in but Naito is right there. Yano wants Naito to back off already.

Naito steps back, but they’re baby steps. Yano says further! Further! Naito is finally far enough away but Yano sees he’s ready to pounce. This is the first ever cat ‘n’ mouse game where there’s no running. Fans rally up and Yano feeds off the energy, and he steps in! But then Naito steps out. Naito turns the tables on Yano again, but Yano goes out after him! Naito kicks but Yano blocks! And rakes eyes! And whips Naito hard into railing! Naito slumps down and the ref checks on him. Yano unties a buckle pad from the outside! The ref wonders where that went but Yano tells him not to question it.

Yano brings Naito around, and whips, but Naito reverses to rake eyes, and then whips, only for Yano to reverse! Naito crashes into railing and closes the gap in No Man’s Land! Fans fire up as Naito almost ends up in their laps! Yano goes out after Naito, pulls his legs through the railing, and has tape! But then Naito YANKS Yano into the railing and has his arms in through the gaps! Naito uses the tape to tie up Yano!! Fans cheer and the ring count starts! Naito leaves it at that, stomps away on Yano, and at 7 of 20, he heads to the ring. Naito is safe but Yano is trapped on the outside!

The count passes 15 of 20 but Yano is still stuck! Yano pulls the tape against the railing and it starts to tear! Yano is free and he slides into the ring at 19.5!! Fans cheer and Naito is again surprised. Naito stomps Yano around, drags him to a corner, and then whips him corner to corner! Yano stops from hitting bare buckles and fans cheer. But Naito copies Yano by untying the other buckle pad! Yano stops him, whips him, but Naito rolls into tranquilo! Fans cheer and Yano is annoyed again. Yano stomps Naito around, brings him up, and whips him corner to corner. Yano then runs in, blocks boots, and puts Naito in the ropes to SLAP him!

Fans cheer as Yano talks some trash, but Naito easily gets out of the ropes. Naito runs in, but into an atomic drop! CATAPULT into the bare buckles!! Roll up, TWO!! Yano pushes Naito down, M U! TWO!! Naito ELBOWS Yano again and again, then ENZI- NO, Yano ducks! Yano runs, but Naito avoids the chop block! Wheelbarrow and victory roll, NAITO WINS!

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

But he’s not done with Yano! Naito whips him into those bare buckles! And then again! Yano suffers his own cleverness, and Naito pins him again! The ref says it’s done, they don’t need to keep going. Naito beats Yano, is he the new Clown Prince of NJPW?

G1 Climax 33, C Block: Shingo Takagi VS Tomohiro Ishii!

Surprisingly, The Rampaging Dragon and Stone Pitbull are the bottom of the block! But whose fortunes will change through combat?

The bell rings and both men rush in! They RAM shoulders, go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Fans fire up and Ishii eggs Takagi on! The forearms keep flying, faster and faster, no guard! Takagi finally gets the edge, and runs, to RAM Ishii! Ishii rebounds, RAMS Takagi, then they RAM shoulders again and again! Fans fire up as the two stand tall! They talk some trash, both men run and they RAM shoulders! They run and RAM again, and again! Ishii RAMS Takagi, Takagi rebounds to run Ishii over! Fans fire up and Takagi stomps Ishii. Takagi drags Ishii up, bumps him off buckles, then RAMS into him!

Takagi snapmares Ishii to run and drop a BIG elbow! Cover, TWO and Takagi SENTONS! Fans rally up and Takagi kicks Ishii around. Takagi drags Ishii back up, puts him against ropes, and throws knees into Ishii’s stomach! Takagi whips, KNEES him again, then runs, but Ishii runs Takagi over! Fans fire up as Ishii looms over Takagi. Ishii stands Takagi up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Takagi fires forearms in return! Ishii eggs him on so Takagi JABS and JABS and JABS! Ishii CHOPS again! Takagi staggers away and Ishii finally feels those jabs. Ishii CHOPS Takagi in a corner, but Takagi turns it around to throw forearms!

Ishii turns things back around to CHOP and forearm on repeat! Ishii lays in heavy forearms and Takagi sits down! Fans rally as the ref has Ishii back off. Ishii drags Takagi up but Takagi HEADBUTTS! Ishii stays up to Takagi HEADBUTTS again! Ishii HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! Takagi falls and fans fire up again. Ishii sits Takagi up to KICK him in the back! Takagi huffs and puffs and gets in Ishii’s face. Takagi CHOPS and Ishii felt that one! Takagi CHOPS again, but Ishii grits his teeth! Takagi CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, so Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS! ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- Ishii ROCKS Takagi first!

Ishii goes to suplex but Takagi fights it! Takagi suplexes Ishii up and over!! And this is just the five minute mark! Fans rally up and duel, “TA-KA-GI!” “I-SHI-I!” Takagi storms up, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! Fans fire up with Takagi and he JABS and CHOPS on repeat! Then JABS, JABS, JABS and CHOPS! Ishii sputters but Takagi brings him up. Takagi runs, but Ishii dodges! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint to DDT! Takagi drags Ishii up, to SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Ishii hangs tough but Takagi says… IT’S TIME! Fans fire up and Takagi brings Ishii up. Takagi reels Ishii in but Ishii fights the lift!

Ishii powers up to back drop Takagi! Fans fire up, but Ishii staggers while Takagi goes to ropes. Ishii runs in but Takagi BOOTS him! Takagi runs, but into a POWERSLAM! Both men rise, Ishii runs, into a POWERSLAM from Takagi! But Ishii is up again, gets around, and SAIDOS! But Takagi is right up to SAIDO! Ishii roars as he rises up and runs in, into a YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Takagi rises, he kicks Ishii around then drags him up. Takagi hoists Ishii to the top rope, climbs up after him, but the ropes are a bit slippery. Takagi HEADBUTTS Ishii, then climbs!

Takagi brings Ishii up to the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX! Both men are down while fans fire up! Takagi crawls to the cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and fans fire up again! Takagi rallies the fans with “OI! OI! OI!” and he rises again. Takagi roars and the fans fire up more, and Takagi brings Ishii up. Ishii fights the Gory Especial and throws elbows. But Takagi spins him, only for Ishii to suplex Takagi! Both men are down again as we pass 10 minutes! Fans rally up and Ishii runs in at the corner, to clothesline! Ishii hoists Takagi up top now, and Ishii climbs up. Fans rally as Ishii brings Takagi to the very top, stalling SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!!

Fans rally and duel while both men are down. Ishii sits Takagi up, runs, but Takagi ducks the sliding lariat! Ishii ducks the haymakers, but so does Takagi! Takagi pops Ishii up to a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Both men are down again but Takagi goes to ropes. To SLIDING LARIAT! Fans rally up again and Takagi rises. Takagi brings Ishii up, pump handles and half nelsons, but Ishii fights with elbows! Takagi throws knees, but Ishii slips around and spins Takagi to throw a forearm! Takagi just fires boxing elbows in return! And he DECKS Ishii with the last one! Fans fire up with Takagi as he runs, but Ishii DROPKICKS!!

Fans are thunderous as Ishii roars! Ishii drags Takagi up, lifts, POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Takagi survives but Ishii keeps on him! Ishii sits Takagi up, runs and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Ishii roars and fans fire up again as he stands Takagi up. Ishii suplexes, Takagi fights it, DDT!! Fans rally and duel again, and Takagi rises. Takagi drags Ishii around, suplexes, but Ishii knees free! Takagi blocks the lariat to pump handle and half nelson! MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!!! Ishii survives and fans are thunderous! Takagi goes to ropes as we hit 15 minutes. Takagi aims from the corner, runs in, PUMPING BOMBER!

But Ishii rises?!? Takagi says fine, and he POINT-BLANK PUMPING! Ishii HEADBUTTS! Takagi JABS, HEADBUTTS, and then SLIDING PUMPING!! Cover, ONE?!?! Ishii roars and rises again, swats a lariat and HEADBUTTS! Takagi rebounds, into Ishii’s LARIAT!! Cover, ONE?!?!? Fans are thunderous again as both men rise! Takagi runs in, but Ishii LARIATS him down!! Ishii aims, runs, to LARIAT again!! Cover, TWO!?!? Fans are thunderous again as Ishii brings Takagi up! Suplex, but Takagi slips out! Takagi waistlocks, torture racks, but Ishii fights free to spin Takagi and ROCK him!

Ishii ROCKS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Those shots are up high! But Takagi JABS back! Ishii HEADBUTTS, but Takagi HEADBUTTS back! Takagi reels Ishii in, we hit the three minute warning, but Takagi tucks the arms! TAKAGI DRIVER 98!! Cover, TWO!!!! Ishii survives and fans are thunderous! Takagi powers up, runs, PUMPING- NO, Ishii dodges to LARIAT! But Takagi stays up so Ishii ENZIGURIS! Takagi returns, SLIDING ELBOW! Takagi hauls Ishii up, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!!! But he can’t make the cover!! Both men are down and fans rally up, and we hit the two minute warning!

Takagi stands, brings Ishii up, and runs for PUMPING BOMBER!!! Takagi wins!!

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

The Rampaging Dragon breaks through the Stone Pitbull and finally gets on the board! Does this mean there’s still a chance for Takagi to take the block?

G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb!

The Ace of the Universe has gone 1-1, and now he runs into the undefeated Imperial Unit! Will Tanahashi be able to avoid a Tour of the Islands? Or will he be conquered on behalf of the United Empire?

The bell rings and fans rally up for Tanahashi. Cobb mocks the air guitar with air bass and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Tanahashi manages to push Cobb back a step. Cobb pushes Tanahashi away, and Cobb flexes. The two reset, tie up again, and Cobb holds firm as Tanahashi gives it his all. Cobb powers Tanahashi back to the ropes, but Tanahashi turns things around. Red Shoes calls for the break, Tanahashi lets off slowly, and then he stomps Cobb’s foot! Tanahashi headlocks and grinds but Cobb fights up and lifts Tanahashi! Tanahashi thrashes the hold more, but Cobb pulls hair!

Cobb powers out and sends Tanahashi to a corner. Cobb runs in but into boots! Cobb returns, but Tanahashi drop toeholds him into the buckle pad! Tanahashi runs to dropkick the leg out! Tanahashi plays some real air guitar while Cobb bails out. Tanahashi pursues as Cobb hobbles around the way, but Cobb ROCKS him first! Cobb reels Tanahashi in, and suplexes to POST him! And then he suplexes again, to SLAM Tanahashi on the apron! Fans fire up for that show of strength while Cobb walks off the bad leg. Cobb leaves Tanahashi behind and the ring count starts. Tanahashi sits up at 3 of 20, and drags himself up with the railing.

Fans rally as Tanahashi stands. Tanahashi rolls in at 11 but Cobb stomps him at the ropes! Red Shoes reprimands, Cobb “apologizes,” then stands Tanahashi up to HEADBUTT him down! Cobb mockingly asks if he’s okay, then strums the air bass while kneeling on Tanahashi for a cover. TWO and fans cheer, but Cobb stomps Tanahashi down. Cobb stands Tanahashi up to ROCK him in the back! Cobb then uses Tanahashi’s abs as the guitar! But Tanahashi throws elbows! Cobb CLUBS Tanahashi, pushes him down and stomps him! Fans rally but Cobb drags Tanahashi up to BEARHUG! Fans rally and Tanahashi endures the squeeze!

Tanahashi grabs at Cobb, throws elbows to the forehead, and is free! Tanahashi fires more shots, but Cobb kicks low! And CLUBS Tanahashi down! Fans rally again while Cobb steadies himself. Cobb looms over Tanahashi, drags him up, and reels him in to short arm LARIAT! Cobb strums again, then throws the guitar away to play his air ukulele! GACHIMUCHI FLOP as Tanahashi moves! Tanahashi blocks a kick, and Cobb begs for mercy. Tanahashi says bye-bye and DRAGON SCREWS the leg! Cobb hobbles more, Tanahashi fires off forearms, then whips to ropes. Cobb reverses but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS!

Fans fire up with Tanahashi, Cobb staggers around, and Tanahashi fires off fast hands! Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Cobb!! Fans fire up for that feat of strength alone! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Tanahashi powers up as Cobb rises, and Tanahashi runs, but Cobb DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Cobb grows frustrated that Tanahashi stays in this! Cobb drags Tanahashi up, scoops him, and carries him around with one arm! Cobb SLAMS Tanahashi down, then he goes up the corner! Cobb mocks Tanahashi, SUNSET SENTON FLOPS as Tanahashi moves!

Fans fire up as Tanahashi rises, dodges Cobb, and turns him around, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Fans fire up again and Tanahashi runs, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Cobb is tougher than that but Tanahashi stays focused. Tanahashi goes up top but Cobb anchors him! Tanahashi fires forearms, and a DRAGON PALM! Cobb staggers away, Tanahashi stands, and HIGH FLY ATTACKS! But Cobb catches him!! Cobb pops Tanahashi around and runs, POWER- SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi turns things around, and he heads back up top! Tanahashi aims, to HIGH FLY FLOP as Cobb moves! Cobb then storms up, ripcords, TOUR OF- CRADLE! TWO!!

Cobb escapes, fans fire up, and Cobb runs in, but misses! DRAGON PALM! Cobb JABS! Tanahashi DRAGON PLAMS again! Tanahashi fires up, we hit 15 minutes but Cobb reels Tanahashi in for a GERMAN SUPLEX! But Tanahashi rises! Cobb whips, Tanahashi reverses, but Cobb dodges to SLINGBLADE!? Cobb drags Tanahashi up, reels him in, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cobb wins!!

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

The Imperial Unit is proving anything his opponents he can do, he can do stronger! And he is keeping pace with Zack Sabre Jr. at the front of the pack! Will it only be a matter of time before Cobb conquers the G1?

G1 Climax 33, C Block: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

Bullet Club clashes as the leader off the War Dogs takes on the leader of the House of Torture! Wait, is House of Torture even still Bullet Club? Will The Rebel and King of Darkness end up sparking a new civil war?

But speaking of the HOT Boys, Yujiro Takahashi and Sho are joining Evil and Dick out here tonight! And to match, Finlay also brings Gabe Kidd along since Gabe competed last night and is rested for today. Seems all cards are on the table here in Nagano. There’s a tense stare down but Red Shoes wants the seconds (and perhaps thirds and fourths) to get out of the ring. Each side tells the other to get out first since they don’t trust each other, and everyone brandishes their weapons, from Gedo having Finlay’s shillelagh to Dick having the Spoiler Choker and Sho his “Murder Tool” wrench.

Since this is an impasse between factions, Red Shoes calls in reinforcements! The rest of the referees step in and they insist Gedo, Gabe, Yujiro, Sho & Dick all get out of the ring. Evil and Finlay finally give the orders and their men back off. The bell finally rings and fans applaud. Evil and Finlay circle, approach, and Evil kicks low! Evil headlocks, Finlay pulls hair, and though Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay headlocks in return. Finlay grinds Evil down but Evil pulls hair in return! Evil powers out, Finlay RAMS shoulders with him, but neither falls. Evil runs, RAMS Finlay, but Finlay stays up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm!

The shots go faster and faster and fans rally up! Evil knees low, rakes the eyes, then TOSSES Finlay out! Evil distracts Red Shoes, but Gabe rushes over to keep Sho & Yujiro back! But while Finlay goes out to reinforce Gabe, they miss Dick untying the blue buckle pad! The extra refs keep this from breaking down, and Evil just watches from in the ring. The House and the War Dogs all stand down, and Finlay gets in to kick Evil! Finlay throws hands but Evil kicks low and then rakes eyes! Evil whips and Finlay hits bare buckles! Red Shoes finally realizes what happened, too, and he reprimands the House.

Evil stomps Finlay, but Finlay kicks back! Evil CHOKES Finlay with his shirt! Gedo protests and Red Shoes counts, Evil lets go at 4. Evil then throws the shirt at Gabe! Red Shoes keeps Gabe back but then Evil just rakes Finlay’s eyes! Evil puts Finlay in the Cobra Twist, and links up with the boys! But they forget the other refs, and the refs reprimand! The House stops and Finlay throws hands on Evil! Evil pulls hair and throws Finlay down! Gedo protests but Evil covers, ONE! Evil kicks Finlay around, taunts him, but Finlay gets up to fire a forearm! Evil just rakes eyes again! Red Shoes counts, Evil stops at 4.

Evil scoops Finlay to a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Evil then turns Finlay over for a HALF CRAB! Finlay fights but Evil shifts position to add pressure! Finlay fights up, but Evil uses the kneepad for leverage! Finlay slips through to kick from below, but Evil CRANKS the leg! Gedo coaches Finlay, Red Shoes sees Evil holding the kneepad so Evil lets go. Evil stands on Finlay, Finlay flips him off and ironically, that gets Finlay’s shoulder up. Evil lets off and Finlay grins, but Evil slaps him around. Evil tells Gedo to shut up, and he has Finlay against ropes. Evil whips, Finlay reverses but Evil BOOTS back! Finlay runs in to clothesline Evil and himself out of the ring!

Again, the factions rush over! The refs have to keep everyone back again, and Finlay gets up to RAMS Evil into railing! Finlay closes the gap in No Man’s Land and starts throwing haymakers! Finlay kicks and HEADBUTTS Evil, then SMACKS him off the apron! Finlay puts Evil in, covers, ONE!! Evil hangs tough and Finlay mocks him. Finlay bends fingers, and JAMS them into the mat! And then he bends the fingers again, to JAM them into the mat again! Gedo likes what he sees, and Finlay gives back all the eye rakes! Red Shoes counts, Finlay lets go at 4, and he looms over Evil. Finlay knees at the ropes and Backhand Sweets with Gabe.

Finlay pulls on the arm, but Evil gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay lets go to drag Evil up and whip him into the bare buckles! The Bullet Club Special is truly ambivalent in this battle! Evil writhes, fans rally up, and Finlay talks trash. Finlay drags Evil up to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans applaud, but Finlay CLAWS Evil’s face then crossface forearms him down! Finlay sits Evil up and CLUBS him with another crossface forearm! Finlay sits Evil up again, for a third crossface forearm! Finlay says he’s the captain of the ship, and he gives Evil more shots across the bow! Gedo likes what he sees here, too!

Fans rally as Finlay drags Evil up again. Finlay runs, but Evil ducks the blindsider! And blocks the kick, rakes the eyes, then sends Finlay’s foot into Red Shoes! Red Shoes goes down, another ref gets on the apron, but Finlay shoves Evil into him! The third ref gets up but Finlay is sent into him! That’s three ref bumps in less than a minute! Is that a world record? And then the War Dogs and House of Torture get in the ring! They all brawl! Gedo is after Dick and Gabe fights off both Sho and Yujiro! But Gabe gets mugged, and Dick drags Gedo out of the ring! Gedo rakes Dick’s eyes, then whips Dick into railing!

Evil and Finlay take each other out, Yujiro KNEES Gabe and smothers him! Sho has the Murder Tool, but Gedo drags him out and rakes his eyes! Gable knocks Yujiro down and out of the ring! Gable stomps Yujiro and rakes his eyes! Then Gabe runs to CLOBBER Sho! Gabe brings Yujiro around, but Sho attacks back! Sho & Yujiro mug Gabe into the crowd! And we pass 10 minutes as Evil rises. Finlay goes to a corner, the brawling continues outside, and Evil hobbles around. Evil aims at Finlay, runs in, but gets BOOTS! Finlay runs in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And then again! Finlay fires off forearm after forearm and a ROLLING ELBOW!

Referee Saito gets in the ring so there’s an authority now. Finlay suplexes, but Evil lands out of Oblivion! EVERYTHING- NO, Finlay denies Evil to hit an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Finlay runs, into a LARIAT! Both men are down and fans rally up! Evil rises, kicks away on Finlay’s face, then fireman’s carries. DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO! Finlay survives and fans rally up again. Oddly, fans cheer on Evil as he might be the lesser of two evils. But Finlay still denies the STO with a flurry of elbows! Finlay whips, Evil reverses, but Finlay stops hitting buckles! Evil runs in, but is sent into the bare buckles!

Finlay SMACKS Evil off the bare buckle! Then puts him up top for the Canadian Rack, RUNNING DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives, but Finlay pushes the ref aside so he can rain down fists! The ref reprimands, he sees closed fists! Finlay pushes him away, Evil crawls to the red corner. Evil clutches his eye, claiming closed fists. Finlay runs in, but the SPEAR hits the ref! And then Evil LOW BLOW UPPERCUTS Finlay! Dick and Gedo both get up but Dick DECKS Gedo first! And then uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Finlay!! Fans boo, the House might be the bigger evil after all! Dick feeds Finlay to a mule kick! And then Dick and Evil coordinate, MAGIC KILLER!!

Evil shouts for a referee but which ref will it be? They’re all down at ringside! A fourth ref appears, it’s Marty Asami! Cover, but GEDO yanks Marty out!! Evil is furious but we’re still without authority! Dick throws in some chairs, and Evil grabs one. Evil puts that chair around Finlay’s head, and he gets the other! HOMERUN!!! And we pass 15 minutes! Evil grabs the shillelagh and looks to add on. But Gedo has slipped Finlay his NEVER Openweight Championship! Evil takes a swing, but the belt becomes a shield! And then Finlay CLOBBERS Evil with the belt!! Fans fire up as Finlay grabs his shillelagh!

Finlay SHILLELAGH SHOTS Evil!! Finlay demands there be a ref, so Gedo puts Red Shoes in! Finlay gets Evil up, INTO OBLIVION!!! Cover, Finlay wins!

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

Well, perhaps Evil was still the lesser of the two as the Rebel comes out on top! The King of Darkness falls from the top spot, will he have to go back to the drawing board on how to stack the deck?

As for Finlay, he holds up his NEVER Openweight title as Gedo gets the mic. Gedo makes the official announcement, “Your winner is… the BASTARD, David ‘The Rebel’ Finlay!” Finlay then takes the mic and says, “Evil, you pulled out all the stops, but you still couldn’t beat The Rebel! Now I said I am going to clean sweep this entire tournament, and thus far, I have done exactly that. So I stand in front of you still undefeated against every member of C Block. Still the baddest man in this company. And I am still the favorite to win this entire tournament.” There are fans that do applaud, and Finlay says there is no one badder or better than him.

“Ladies and gentlemen, you are looking at the future G1 Climax Champion.” Fans do cheer that, and then Gedo tells everyone in Japanese that “that idiot” Evil tried but failed to defeat The Rebel! “The Rebel take the effing over everything! I need The Rebel! Bullet Club needs The Rebel! And the world needs The Rebel!” Finlay stands atop C Block at 3-0, but will he make 2023 the Year of the Rebel?

Here are the NEW C Block standings!

David Finlay: 3-0, 6 points
EVIL: 2-1, 4 points
Tama Tonga: 2-1, 4 points
Eddie Kingston: 2-1, 4 points
Mikey Nicholls: 1-2, 2 points
Aaron Henare: 1-2, 2 points
Shingo Takagi: 1-2, 2 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 0-3, 0 points

Here are the NEW D Block standings!

Jeff Cobb: 3-0, 6 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 3-0, 6 points
Tetsuya Naito: 2-1, 4 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 1-2, 2 points
Hirooki Goto: 2-1, 4 points
Shane Haste: 1-2, 2 points
Toru Yano: 0-3, 0 points
Alex Coughlin: 0-3, 0 points

My Thoughts:

Another great night for NJPW, and great stuff in these blocks. I like that TMDK get their matches all in a row so they can basically bug out after the last guy is done. ZSJ winning but Mikey & Shane losing seems to be the standard right now, as ZSJ is staying strong as NJPW World TV Champion. But that might change next round as he’s up against the other undefeated man in D Block, his new rival of Jeff Cobb. Cobb VS Tanahashi was the best match of the night just on virtue of their wrestling, and I am liking how Cobb is copying his opponents and still winning. Cobb VS ZSJ could go a long way to deciding who is the D Block semifinalist.

Takagi VS Ishii was also an awesome match, those two are always just incredibly physical. And great win for Takagi so that he is no longer winless. Takagi can still give the top of the block a run for their money, but it feels like because of story, Finlay is going to be “the favorite” for it. Finlay VS Evil was definitely a good match, but what made it main event worthy was the story of these Bullet Club subsections fighting each other. Finlay having taken the NJPW/prime branch of the faction from Jay White, he is of course the alpha and he wins the main event to establish himself. Still waiting on that proper civil war feud but this was a good teaser.

My Score: 8.7/10