Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 33 Results & Report! (7/30/23)
C & D, round 5!

Who will lead the way into the home stretch?
Things are getting wild as the G1 Climax enters round five, and C Block has no clear leader! Will Tama Tonga, David Finlay or EVIL pull away from the pack?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- G1 Climax 33, C Block: HENARE VS David Finlay; Finlay wins.
- G1 Climax 33, D Block: Toru Yano VS Jeff Cobb; Yano wins.
- G1 Climax 33, C Block: Eddie Kingston VS Mikey Nicholls; Eddie wins.
- G1 Climax 33, D Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Alex Coughlin; Naito wins.
- G1 Climax 33, C Block: EVIL VS Tomohiro Ishii; Evil wins.
- G1 Climax 33, D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Shane Haste; ZSJ wins.
- G1 Climax 33, C Block: Shingo Takagi VS Tama Tonga; Time Limit Draw.
- G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Hirooki Goto; Tanahashi wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current C Block standings.
Tama Tonga: 3-1, 6 points
David Finlay: 3-1, 6 points
EVIL: 3-1, 6 points
Eddie Kingston: 2-2, 4 points
Shingo Takagi: 2-2, 4 points
Mikey Nicholls: 1-3, 2 points
Aaron Henare: 1-3, 2 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 1-3, 2 points
Here are the current D Block standings.
Jeff Cobb: 4-0, 8 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 3-1, 6 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 2-2, 4 points
Shane Haste: 2-2, 4 points
Tetsuya Naito: 2-2, 4 points
Hirooki Goto: 2-2, 4 points
Alex Coughlin: 1-3, 2 points
Toru Yano: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
G1 Climax 33, C Block: HENARE VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!
The Face of Fury is hanging on by a thread and time is running out! Will Henare be able to Rampage all over The Rebel? Or will Finlay fight his way back up to the top of the block?
The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. They go forehead to forehead, then Finlay shoves Henare. Henare fires off a shot and the brawl is on! It’s fast and furious already, but Henare gets the edge! Henare HEADBUTTS, runs, and runs Finlay over! Fans fire up and Henare sits Finlay up to KICK him! And SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Henare storms around. Finlay goes to the apron, but Henare drags him up! Finlay HOTSHOTS, then tackles Henare to rain down fists! The ref counts, Finlay lets off, but then he throws Henare out! Finlay goes out after Henare, throws more hands and he sits Henare down at the railing.
Finlay SLAMS Henare back against the railing! And again! And again! The ref reprimands, Finlay argues with him, but Finlay drags Henare up and onto the apron. Finlay ELBOWS Henare against the edge! And again! Finlay crawls in to cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Finlay flips them off. Finlay drops a leg and then another! Cover, TWO! Finlay drags Henare up and turns him to hit a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Finlay gets in the ref’s face but the ref says his count was fair. Finlay KNEES Henare in the back and clamps on a chinlock! Henare endures, reaches out, but Finlay pulls Henare against his knee!
Henare fights up, throws body shots, but Finlay clinches to IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Henare survives but Finlay wraps on another chinlock! Finlay shifts around, it’s almost a Bully Choke! Henare reaches for Finlay’s head, but Finlay BITES Henare’s hand! The ref reprimands, Finlay stops biting but he keeps on the chinlock. Finlay pushes Henare to a cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Finlay clamps on a cravat neck wrench. Henare endures, fights up, and throws body shots! Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Henare ends up in a corner, Finlay runs in but into an ELBOW!
Henare storms up but Finlay fires a forearm! Finlay runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! We pass five minutes as Finlay flounders to a corner. Henare storms over and he throws heavy body shots! The fans fire up with Henare and he whips corner to corner, to then clothesline! Henare whips to ropes, to scoop, BERSERKER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Finlay hangs tough but Henare snarls. Henare waits on Finlay to sit up, then Henare runs to PENALTY- NO, Finlay blocks! But Henare throws palm strikes from all sides! Fans rally, Henare blocks a kick to step over and WHEEL KICK! And then PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally up again and Henare goes to a corner. Henare stomps the mat and the fans clap along. Henare fires himself up, runs in, RAMPAGE- NO, Finlay fights with furious elbows! Finlay whips but Henare comes back! RAMP- SATELLITE DDT!! Gedo is all fired up as Finlay turns it around again! Finlay drags Henare up to throw crossface forearms! Finlay just keeps clubbing away! Gedo tells Henare to give it up, and Finlay runs, BLINDSIDER! Cover, TWO!! Henare is still in this and fans fire up! Finlay drags Henare up, but Henare fights the lift with elbows! Henare shoves Finlay to a corner, runs in, but Finlay dodges the Shining Wizard!
Finlay DUMPS Henare to the floor! Finlay then goes out to fetch Henare, and fireman’s carries so he can POST him! Henare goes down in a heap but Finlay has the ref move aside. Finlay puts Henare in the ring, drags him back up, for a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Henare is still in this and fans fire up again! Finlay is stunned and frustrated and we pass 10 minutes! Finlay pulls the kneepad down and slashes his throat. Finlay drags Henare up but Henare’s dead weight! Finlay CLUBS away on Henare, hauls him up again, but Henare fights free! BUSAIKU KNEE!! Fans fire up again as Finlay flounders!
Henare drags Finlay up, fisherman and STREETS- NO, Finlay slips free to RAM Henare into buckles! Finlay checks his chin, but Henare rises!? Finlay fires off forearms and HEADBUTTS, but that does nothing! ROLLING ELBOW! Henare wobbles, but he HEADBUTTS in return! Fans fire up again, and now Henare brings his kneepad down! Henare runs in, SHINING WIZARD in the corner! Henare shoves Finlay out, runs in, RAMPAGE!! But Henare isn’t done there! Henare drags Finlay up, STREETS- NO, Finlay slips free again! Finlay backslides, Henare rolls through, but Finlay suplexes him INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, Finlay wins!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Henare earns 0)
Finlay redeems himself with a victory here, and he crosses Henare off the list at the same time! Will Finlay show that the G1 needs The Rebel?
G1 Climax 33, D Block: Toru Yano VS Jeff Cobb!
The Clown Prince having no wins at this point, and the Imperial Unit having no losses, it is obvious who’s still alive in the standings. But can Yano pull off the ultimate trick and spoil things for Cobb? Or will he take a Tour of the Island?
Cobb wants the ref to check Yano, that lump in his shirt is suspicious! Yano says it’s nothing, stop looking. Yano keeps the ref from frisking him, but Cobb rushes in to attack! Cobb whips, Yano reverses and throws Cobb down! The bell rings, and Yano unties a buckle pad! The ref reprimands, but Cobb storms up to ROCK Yano! Cobb pulls up the shirt to reveal several rolls of tape! And also beer and snack foods? Yano apologizes, and offers the beer and snacks as a peace offering! But then Yano goes to low blow! Cobb blocks it with one hand! And hands over the beer to the ref at the same time! Then Cobb reels Yano in for an ATHLETIC PLEX!
Cobb then goes back to the beer, cracks it open and takes a sip. That’s good stuff! Cobb takes another swig, then GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT, onto Yano’s knees! The beer goes spewing outta Cobb’s mouth! Yano covers, TWO!! Yano blocks Cobb’s superkick! Yano turns Cobb around to hook the arms, but Cobb fights the backslide! Yano grabs the ref, and LOW BLOW MULE KICKS! Yano finishes the backslide, TWO!!! Cobb escapes, Yano runs, but into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Cobb is mad now! Cobb hauls Yano up, whips him to ropes, but Yano holds ropes and taunts Cobb! Yano then dives for his corner!
Yano grabs the red chair, and something else! Cobb drags Yano back, the ref takes the chair, but Yano SPRAYS Cobb with the disinfectant!! M U CRADLE!! YANO WINS?!?!
Winner: Toru Yano, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Cobb earns 0)
Yano snatches the win away from Cobb! And he snatches a beer before running away. Yano says cheers, but will this be the only celebration he has this G1?
G1 Climax 33, C Block: Eddie Kingston VS Mikey Nicholls w/ Kosei Fujita!
The Mad King and Mad Mikey are still fighting for a chance, but that chance can only go to one man! Will Eddie show he’s NJPW Strong? Or will he see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up as they feel things out, then tie up. Eddie powers Mikey to a corner but Mikey turns it around, only for them to go around the ropes, in and out of corners, and then along more ropes. Mikey puts Eddie in the red corner and the ref calls for the break. Mikey lets off slowly, then SLAPS Eddie across the face! Fans cheer and Mikey eggs Eddie on. Eddie smiles and resets with Mikey. They tie up again, break, and Mikey fires a forearm! Eddie spins but Mikey ducks the backfist! Mikey reels Eddie in for a SAIDO! But Eddie’s right up, and he gets out of the ring!
Mikey waits inside while Eddie clutches his shoulder. But then Mikey storms up to PLANCHA! Direct hit and fans fire up! Mikey encourages them to get louder, but the ref wants this back in the ring. Mikey says okay and he puts Eddie in, which fans cheer. Eddie goes to the far side but Mikey CHOKES him on the ropes! The ref counts, Mikey lets off, and Eddie sputters to the corner. Mikey drags Eddie up to suplex, and he holds Eddie up for a count of TEN before the SLAM! Cover, ONE!! Eddie is hanging tough but Mikey keeps on him. Mikey claws the face but the ref reprimands, so Mikey drops a knee!
Mikey mocks the fans rallying for Eddie and then stalks him. Mikey wraps on a chinlock and squeezes tight! Eddie endures, Mikey shifts to a partial Camel Clutch! The ref reprimands as Mikey fishhooks Eddie, so Mikey lets off. Mikey switches sides in the partial clutch, then he BITES Eddie’s forehead! The ref reprimands, Mikey lets off again, and he paces. Mikey sits Eddie up, but Eddie CHOPS! And CHOPS! Mikey knees low! Eddie falls over, but pushes himself back up. Mikey brings him up and reels him in, but Eddie fights the saido! Eddie throws down elbows, but Mikey waistlocks! Eddie bucks that and hits a DDT!
Fans rally as both men rise. Mikey goes to a corner, Eddie runs in, but Mikey dodges! Mikey runs in but Eddie BOOTS! Eddie goes up, FLYING BULLDOG! Fans fire up and Eddie sees Mikey crawling to ropes. Eddie storms up to fire off MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Fans fire up and that last one sits Mikey down! Eddie goes corner to corner to BOOT WASH! Mikey flounders, Eddie brings him up, FISHERMAN SCREW! Bridging cover, TWO!! We hit five minutes and Eddie watches Mikey flounder. Eddie prepares his hand and aims as Mikey stands. But Mikey ducks the backfist to waistlock! Eddie switches, ducks an elbow, but Mikey DDTs!
Fans rally up while both men are down again. Eddie sits up first but Mikey follows. They go to opposite ends, Mikey runs in, and he clotheslines in the corner! Mikey whips corner to corner, but runs into a BOOT! He still clotheslines through! Mikey whips Eddie to ropes for a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Mikey adjusts the elbow pads. Mikey whips Eddie to ropes but Eddie slips through. Mikey fireman’s carries to DEATH VALLEY BOMB! SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Eddie hangs tough! Mikey pounds the mat, fans clap along, then Mikey slaps Eddie around and eggs him on.
Eddie stands, Mikey throws a forearm! Mikey avoids Eddie’s chop, then ROCKS Eddie again! Mikey talks trash, but Eddie CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Eddie blocks a kick to clinch and EXPLODER! Mikey staggers up into a SAIDO! Mikey swings but Eddie catches him! HALF NELSON SUPLEX! And then SLIDING FOREARM!! Cover, TWO!! Mikey survives Eddie’s take on Sliding D, but Eddie won’t give up here. Fans rally up and Eddie prepares another shot. URA- NO, Mikey blocks to ENZIGURI! But Eddie still URAKENS! Cover, EDDIE WINS!
Winner: Eddie Kingston, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Mikey earns 0)
One Backfist to the Future was all it took for Eddie to keep his G1 future alive! Will the Mad King make a strong comeback? As for Mikey, he didn’t kneel but he did fall, and now he’s mathematically OUT! Will he just have to settle for being a spoiler in the final two rounds?
G1 Climax 33, D Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Alex Coughlin!
The Uncontrollable Charisma is on the bubble, and that’s not a position he wants to be in when facing the Deadeye Dreadnought! Will Naito keep things tranquilo in the home stretch? Or will Coughlin strike him out in the fifth?
Coughlin says they’re on a schedule, he wants Naito to hurry up. But that only makes Naito take longer with entering the ring, and with taking off the entrance attire. Especially with the belt and pants. The bell rings and Coughlin rushes in, only for Naito to bail out! Coughlin is annoyed as Naito paces around the outside. Naito returns, but then dodges Coughlin to tranquilo! Fans cheer but Coughlin throws Naito’s hat to the floor! Coughlin rushes Naito again but Naito bails out again! Naito goes around the way, waits by the ramp, and then slides back in, only to slide right back out. Fans applaud as Naito trolls Coughlin.
But then Coughlin rushes out after Naito! They go around the way, Naito slides in and he kicks Coughlin! Naito runs, RANAS, and fans fire up! Coughlin runs back in, Naito dodges then holds ropes. Coughlin runs in, but into a BOOT! Naito runs but Coughlin scoops! FALL AWAY SLAM! Naito flounders out, Coughlin fetches him right away, to THROW into railing! Coughlin then stands Naito up to CHOP him! Coughlin CHOKES Naito against the railing! The ref reprimands, but Coughlin whip Naito into more railing! Coughlin goes into the ring, and he mocks Naito with his own take on Too Sweet android tranquilo!
Naito is down as the ring count starts. Naito crawls at 6 of 20, stands up at 10, and hurries over at 12, but Coughlin’s on him! Deadlift GUT WRENCH PLEX! Cover, TWO! Coughlin stalks Naito, stomps him, drags him up, and CHOKES him on the ropes! The ref counts, Coughlin lets off at 4, then YANKS the ropes to send Naito down! Coughlin clamps on a headlock and he pulls Naito! Naito scrubs his forearm in Coughlin’s face, but Coughlin throws hands! Naito claws at Coughlin’s face but the ref reprimands! Coughlin traps one arm with a leg scissor and pulls on the other in a top wristlock to add to this stretch!
Naito endures, and he throws knees! Coughlin lets off to stomp Naito down! Coughlin paces around while fans rally up. Coughlin stomps Naito, CHOPS him on the back, and has Naito in a corner. Coughlin CHOPS and fans fire up! Coughlin CHOPS again, keeps Naito in the corner, and says one more! Coughlin winds up, but then SPITS on Naito instead! Fans boo but Coughlin doesn’t care. Coughlin whips corner to corner, runs in, but Naito kicks low! NECKBREAKER! We hit five minutes as Coughlin goes to ropes. Naito fires forearms and kicks and whips, to arm-drag! And ELBOW! And basement DROPKICK!
Fans rally as Naito keeps going, and he whips Coughlin to a corner. Naito runs in, JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! COMBINACION feint, and Naito SPITS at Coughlin! Then he dropkicks! CABRON! Coughlin flounders, Naito poses over him! Fans cheer and Naito covers, ONE! Naito stands Coughlin up, cravats for a neck wrench, and he grinds Coughlin down. Coughlin fights back up, reaches out, but Naito keeps on the cravat. Coughlin scoops for a BACKBREAKER! And then he deadlift BACK SUPLEXES! Fans rally while Naito writhes and crawls to a corner. Coughlin storms up, CHOPS, and then whips!
Naito reverses and reels Coughlin in, but Coughlin blocks the tornado! Coughlin pops Naito up to a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and fans rally up, but Coughlin drags Naito back. Coughlin reels Naito in, suplexes, but Naito fights! Coughlin keeps Naito up but then Naito slips out, shoves, and ELBOWS! ENZIGURIS! Coughlin wobbles, Naito runs in! CORRIENDO SHIKI- NO, Coughlin blocks! And pops Naito up, but Naito fights that! Naito throws those heavy elbows, but Coughlin blocks! Coughlin whips, scoops, SCRAPBUSTER! And then short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up again as Naito survives!
Coughlin slashes his throat, drags Naito up, and suplexes again, but Naito fights it! DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!! Coughlin survives, we pass 10 minutes, and Naito tries again! Tilt-o-whirl DESTINO!! Cover, Naito wins!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Coughlin earns 0)
If the Android wasn’t out of the running before, he surely is now! Naito keeps his own hopes alive, will he complete his mission to make it back to WrestleKingdom?
G1 Climax 33, C Block: EVIL w/ Dick Togo VS Tomohiro Ishii!
The King of Darkness is just behind the block leaders, but the Stone Pitbull is at the bottom! Will Ishii at least be able to take a bite out of Evil’s momentum? Or will Darkness Fall on the G1 Climax?
Evil attacks as soon as Ishii steps in the ring! Fans boo as Evil CLUBS Ishii down! The bell rings, Evil pulls Ishii’s shirt off him to lash him with it! Evil then drags Ishii up to toss him out! Evil goes out after Ishii and he stomps away on Ishii! The ref reprimands, Evil pushes Ishii back in, and Evil stomps Ishii right back out! Evil then goes after Ishii to whip, but Ishii reverses and sends Evil into railing! And then does it again! Ishii RAMS Evil into the railing a third time and fans fire up! Evil sputters, Ishii puts him in the ring, and Ishii kicks Evil around. Ishii slaps Evil around, stands him up, and then CHOPS him against ropes!
Ishii CHOPS and forearms and CHOPS and forearms, repeat! Fans rally up with every shot, but the ref reprimands. Ishii eggs Evil on, whips, but Evil reverses. Dick takes a swipe! Evil CLOBBERS Ishii and dumps him out! Evil then RAMS Ishii into the timekeeper! Down goes Abe-san! Oh and Dick takes the blue buckle pad away! Evil drags Ishii up, claws his eyes, and then looms over him. The ref helps Abe-san, but Evil CHOKES Ishii with the camera cables! Evil gets away with it, too! The ref tells Evil to get this in the ring but Ishii whips Evil into railing! Then he pushes the ref aside so he can get some chairs!
Dick distracts, Evil puts a chair around Ishii’s head! Evil has the second chair, but Ishii avoids it! That’s a strike! And then Ishii THROWS the chair off his head and into Evil! Ishii ROCKS Evil with forearms, but Evil knees low! Evil puts the chair around Ishii’s head again, to POST him! Ishii falls and Evil fetches the other chair. Evil CHOKES Ishii with it, but lets off before the ref sees. Evil goes into the ring and waits as Ishii writhes. The ring count starts, and Ishii drags himself up at 5 of 20. Ishii staggers around, makes it to the apron at 10, and is in! Evil drags Ishii up, to SMACK him off the bare buckles!
The ref reprimands, but Evil CHOKES Ishii on the ropes! The ref counts, Evil lets off at 4. Ishii falls back, clutching his face while sputtering. Evil covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! And Ishii has a cover now! TWO!! Evil is upset that he almost got caught, and he stands on Ishii’s head. We pass five minutes, the ref reprimands and Evil steps away. Ishii kicks from below but Evil eggs him on. Ishii throws hands as he stands, but Evil rakes the eyes! Evil reels Ishii to suplex, but Ishii fights it to suplex back! Ishii takes Evil up and over, and fans fire up while both men are down!
Evil goes to a corner, and Ishii is right on him with a CHOP! And another CHOP! And another CHOP! Ishii whips, Evil reverses but Ishii comes back. Evil kicks low, rakes the eyes, but Ishii bends Evil’s fingers! Evil still blocks the kick, hands it off to the ref, and then mule kicks Ishii down! The ref reprimands but the damage is done. Evil hauls Ishii up, but Ishii SAIDOS! Both men are down again and fans fire up! Ishii growls and rises, then waits on Evil. Evil stands, Ishii runs, but Evil dodges the lariat! Ishii dodges an elbow, Evil ducks a lariat but Ishii elbows out of the waistlock! Ishii runs, but Evil goes to the corner, but Ishii ducks!
Ishii waistlocks but Evil grabs the ref to mess up the German Suplex! Ishii CLUBS Evil but Evil sends the ref at him! Ishii gets himself and the ref outta the way of the lariat! But then Dick slides in, and RAMS Ishii into the ref! Fans boo as Dick stomps away on Ishii! Evil grins, his Spoiler is always his ace in the hole! And Dick has the SPOILER CHOKER!! Fans tell Dick to go home but he just chokes Ishii while Evil goes to his corner. Evil brings Ishii’s merch shirt over, SPITS on it, then RIPS it! Fans boo as Evil then wipes the sweat off himself with the shirt before throwing it away. Dick lets off with the choker and then drags Ishii back up.
Fans rally for Ishii but Evil & Dick hit MAGIC KILLER!! The ref returns as Evil counts, TWO!?!? Ishii survives and fans fire up again! Evil slashes his throat, drags Ishii back up, and spins him around, EVERY- NO, Ishii fights it with elbows! Evil knees low, whips, but Ishii reverses! Evil hits bare buckles, and then Ishii gets him with a GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! Dick coaches Evil as he and Ishii stir. Ishii rises and he brings Evil up. But Evil claws the eyes! We hit 15 minutes as the ref reprimands. Evil lets go, and Ishii just glares! Ishii CHOPS! And CHOPS! And ENZIGURIS!
Fans fire up and Ishii drags Evil around in chicken wings! The WL SPECIAL STRETCH! Evil endures as Ishii thrashes him around! Evil kicks forward, but Ishii drags him back! Evil grabs at the ref but can’t, the chicken wings give him T-Rex arms! But Dick has a chair! The ref sees that, and Ishii lets Evil go! Ishii storms up but Dick gets away, and now Evil has a chair! Evil swings, but hits DICK! Ishii LARIATS through the chair!! Fans fire up as Evil is down and Ishii shakes his arms out. Ishii roars and dares Evil to get back up. Evil rises, Ishii runs, LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives but Ishii just roars again!
Ishii drags Evil up, suplexes, but Evil fights it! Evil wrenches out, clinches, but Ishii slips free! Evil LARAITS but Ishii stays up! Ishii HEADBUTTS, but Evil LARIATS on the return! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Fans rally, Evil stands, and he waits on Ishii now. Ishii rises, Evil runs, and LARIATS! Evil drags Ishii up, fireman’s carries, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!!! Ishii survives and the fans are thunderous! Evil slashes his throat, he vows to end this! Evil stands Ishii up, spins him, EVERYTHING- NO, Ishii slips out! But Evil spins around to suplex! But Ishii wrenches out, only for Evil to reel him back in! Short arm- ISHII STEALS EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!
Fans are thunderous and Ishii drags Evil up! SLIDING LARIAT!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Evil survives and Ishii roars again! Ishii slashes his throat, he drags Evil up, suplex for the- NO, Evil fights that! They stumble into the ref, Evil grabs the ref, and Dick runs in to LOW BLOW Ishii!!! Evil drags Ishii up, EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!! Cover, Evil wins!!
Winner: Evil, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Ishii earns 0)
The King of Darkness and his court jester did it again! They found a way to cheat and win that Ishii didn’t expect! The Stone Pitbull is out of the running while Evil still lives! Will the House of Torture continue to stack the deck in order to take the G1?
G1 Climax 33, D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Shante Haste!
The Mighty VS the Mighty!? How is this going to work? Not just in who moves up in the block, but who Kosei Fujita will second for?
Kosei is with Hysterical Haste as he makes his entrance, but then hurries back to make another entrance with The Front Man! That’s very fair of “Sweet Boy Fujita,” and of the group as a whole. But then Shane insists Kosei stay in his corner for the match, coaxing him over with the orange top hat. Kosei says he’ll just stay in a neutral corner to show he is neutral in this match. Well, that is also fair. The bell rings and fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, Shane waistlocks, but ZSJ switches. Shane switches back, but ZSJ switches again. Shane pries the waistlock open, headlocks, and he grinds ZSJ down.
ZSJ fights up, powers out, and drops down to then arm-drag! ZSJ has the armlock but Shane headscissors! ZSJ kips free but Shane arm-drags! Shane armlocks, ZSJ headscissors, but Shane kips free! The two stand off and fans cheer! The two reset and circle again. Shane calls for a test of strength with knuckle locks but ZSJ says no thanks. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and ZSJ uses his chin to trap a hand! ZSJ wrenches Shane, spins and wristlocks then twists the elbow! Shane goes around, ZSJ wrenches again, and ZSJ keeps Shane from grabbing ropes. ZSJ spins, wrangles Shane down, but Shane moves around and kips up!
Shane arm-drags and he KICKS ZSJ in the back! Shane then apologizes, he didn’t mean to hit that hard, they’re friends. It’s just habit! ZSJ says that was a pretty sharp kick. Shane apologizes again, but then he BOOTS! Shane grins, but ZSJ BOOTS back! ZSJ gives a kick, Shane shoves ZSJ, and they stare down forehead to forehead. Shane UPPERCUTS, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS back! Shane UPPERCUTS again, ZSJ UPPERCUTS back! ZSJ eggs Shane on, Shane UPPERCUTS again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! Shane UPPERCUTS, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, fans rally as the UPPERCUTS keep flying back and forth!
Shane gets the edge with UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT, but then ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! Fans fire up, Shane BOOTS, but ZSJ rebounds to BOOT! Shane rebounds to BOOT, then DROPKICKS ZSJ! Fans fire up as Shane outsmarts ZSJ there. ZSJ bails out, Shane goes out to fetch him. Shane brings ZSJ up, wants Kosei to help but Kosei says no, he’s neutral. Shane whips but he sends ZSJ into the ring. And KICKS ZSJ in the back again! That time was on purpose. Shane pushes ZSJ down and stands on one arm to bend the other arm! ZSJ endures this modified double armlock, and we pass five minutes.
ZSJ powers up, drags Shane down to a headscissor but Shane gets to the ropebreak! The ref separates them but Shane KICKS ZSJ again! ZSJ goes to a corner, Shane kicks and kicks and kicks and stomps! The ref reprimands, ZSJ sits up and Shane kicks him more! Shane scuffs ZSJ, kicks him, then KICKS him! Shane scuffs ZSJ some more, slaps him around and gives him more kicks. ZSJ stands but Shane KICKS his leg! And again! ZSJ blocks a kick for a HEEL HOOK! Shane stays up to pry the grapevine open and he KICKS that leg! Shane runs, but ZSJ DROPKICKS back! Fans fire up as ZSJ returns the favor for earlier!
ZSJ drags Shane up, snapmares, and then KICKS him in the back! ZSJ snapmares again, to NECK TWIST! Shane writhes and ZSJ grins. ZSJ drags Shane up, but Shane RAMS him into a corner! Shane gets space, runs back in, blocks a boot but ZSJ pushes him down! NECK TWIST! ZSJ brings Shane up, HALF HATCH BRIDGE! TWO! Shane escapes and fans rally up. ZSJ drags Shane up, he facelocks for a GUILLOTINE, but Shane powers up. ZSJ grabs thar arm for a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! But Shane powers up again to FALCON ARROW! Fans fire up while both men are down! Kosei rallies the fans up for both guys!
Shane and ZSJ crawl to each other, and Shane fires forearms! Shane sits ZSJ up but ZSJ pushes him. ZSJ SLAPS Shane, and fans rally up again. Shane nods, and he SLAPS back! ZSJ SLAPS, Shane SLAPS, it’s a SLAP fight! Both men stand, and the SLAPPING palm strikes keep going! ZSJ responds as soon as Shane hits him! Shane SWINGS a big one! ZSJ nods, and he SLAPS right back! Shane staggers, fans rally up, and Shane ROCKS ZSJ again! ZSJ still responds as fast as he’s hit! The fans rally as these shots get fast and furious! Both men wobble, fire up, and DOUBLE SHOT! Then DOUBLE BOOT!! But ZSJ is up first! PENALTY KICK!!
We hit 10 minutes as both men are down again. ZSJ crawls over to Shane, stands him up, fires up, but Shane wrenches to KNEE a leg! Then LAST RIDE!!! Cover, TWO!?!? ZSJ survives and fans fire back up! Shane rises, he drags ZSJ back up but ZSJ pushes him away. Shane runs in, but ZSJ turns to the Shining Wizard into an STF!! Shane reaches out, but then ZSJ shifts to a RINGS OF SATURN! ZSJ bends the fingers! Shane endures, but ZSJ pushes Shane into TESCO MEAL DEAL! Shane endures, kicks around, but ZSJ grabs at a leg! CLARKY CAT! But Shane’s free leg gets the ROPEBREAK!!
ZSJ lets go in frustration but he goes to a corner. ZSJ KICKS Shane down, then waits until he sits up, for a PENALTY KICK! Fans fire up, ZSJ runs, but Shane LARIATS!! Shane fireman’s carries, ZSJ slips off to SLEEPER, but Shane SAIDOS free! Fans fire up with Shane, he point-blank LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Shane fires up again, fireman’s carries, BOMB VALLEY- TRIANGLE HOLD!! ZSJ has Shane caught but Shane fights around! Shane powers up to deadlift but ZSJ shifts to victory roll! EURO CLUTCH!! ZSJ WINS!!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Shane earns 0)
The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but they can get caught! The Front Man bested Shane here, but TMDK is still united! Will ZSJ make sure the team takes the G1?
G1 Climax 33, C Block: Shingo Takagi VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado!
The Rampaging Dragon is just on the outside, but he hasn’t been grounded just yet! Will Takagi take down the Good Bad Guy? Or will Tama ensure he is THE guy in C Block?
The bell rings and fans rally up for “TA-KA-GI!” as he circles with Tama. They feel things out, tie up, and Takagi waistlocks. Tama pries the hold open, hammerlocks, but Takagi reaches back to headlock. Takagi facelocks, wrenches, but Tama spins to slip through and armlock. Takagi rolls, wrenches Tama back, then headlocks. Takagi grinds the headlock but Tama powers out. Takagi runs him over! Things speed up, Tama jumps but into a fireman’s carry! Tama slips out but Takagi throws elbows! Tama fires back, they brawl and fans rally up! Tama gets the edge, runs, RAMS, and then runs Takagi over on the rebound!
Fans fire up as Tama stomps Takagi. Takagi eggs Tama on so Tama throws forearms. Takagi keeps egging Tama on so the forearms keep going! Tama kicks, Takagi blocks and spins him but, but Tama elbows back! Tama runs, but into ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up and Tama goes to ropes. Takagi runs in to clothesline Tama out! Takagi goes out, brings Tama up, and Takagi gives Tama SNAKE EYES off the apron! Takagi then drops a knee on Tama, brings him up and puts him in the ring. Fans rally up and Takagi reels Tama in. Takagi suplexes high and hard! But then wags his fingers, it’s not time yet.
Takagi runs to drop a BIG elbow! Cover, TWO! Takagi keeps cool and fans rally up. Takagi looms over Tama but Tama throws body shots! Takagi JABS, JABS, and JABS! Tama staggers, Red Shoes reprimands over closed fists but Takagi promises those were palms. Takagi whips Tama ropes, KNEES him at ropes, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up while both men are down! Tama snarls and gets to his feet while Takagi crawls to a corner. Tama brings Takagi up to ROCK him with a forearm, then fire off body shots! Tama ELBOWS, whips, and UPPERCUTS Takagi! Fans rally as Tama paces.
Tama whips corner to corner, but Takagi reverses! Tama comes back to LARIAT Takagi down! We’re at five minutes and off comes the vest! Tama runs in to STINGER SPLASH! And then GAMANGIRI! Fans rally up and Tama brings Takagi up. Tama scoops, but Takagi slips to the apron. Takagi ROCKS Tama, but Tama HOTSHOTS Takagi down! Fans rally up while Takagi is on the floor. Takagi stirs, the ring count starts, and Takagi sits up at 5 of 20. Tama goes out after Takagi at 7, puts Takagi in, and fans cheer the sportsmanship. Tama drags Takagi up but Takagi fires forearms! And a CHOP! And then JAB, CHOP, but Tama kicks back!
Tama whips, Takagi blocks! Tama knees low to scoop and BRUSH HOLD SLAM! Cover, TWO! Tama keeps his cool and stomps Takagi in the corner. Tama then snap suplexes, covers, TWO! Takagi hangs tough and fans cheer. Tama stalks Takagi, drags him up, but Takagi blocks the whip! Tama throws elbow after elbow and then CHOPS! Tama whips, but Takagi holds ropes to stop himself. Takagi BOOTS back, but Tama clinches! Takagi blocks that, throws some elbows, and ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint to DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Takagi pounds the mat and fans rally up as he goes to a corner.
Tama stands, they both run in, but Takagi runs Tama over! Then scoop SLAMS, and SENTONS! Takagi wags his finger, it’s still not time yet. Fans rally and Takagi sees Tama go to a corner. Takagi runs in, but he blocks the boot! And then clotheslines through! Takagi runs, Tama sits down, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Takagi looks around, and… NOW IT’S TIME! Fans rally up and Takagi stalks Tama to a corner. Takagi throws a headbutt, then he hoists Tama up top! Takagi climbs up but Tama fires forearms! Takagi throws ridge hand chops! Tama throws HEADBUTTS, but Takagi CHOPS him!
Takagi climbs up, he brings Tama to the very top, SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Tama flounders away and fans fire up! We hit 10 minutes and both men are down! Takagi rises, he storms over to Tama, and he drags Tama up to pump handle! But Tama fights the lift with elbows! Tama ducks the lariat, dragon sleepers, but Takagi snapmares free! Tama jumps on, but Takagi turns guillotine into POP-UP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Takagi gets a REAR NAKED CHOKE! But Tama fights free, so Takagi shifts to a GROUND COBRA TWIST! Tama fights back but Takagi thrashes him around! Tama endures, reaches out, and fans rally as he fights, gets his head free, and gets the ROPEBREAK!!
Fans cheer and Takagi lets off the hold. Takagi brings Tama up, pump handles, but again Tama fights the lift! Tama CLUBS Takagi, and again, and again! Takagi point-blank LARIATS! Then pump handle, LAST OF- Sunset flip! Tama steps through to have the legs, SHARPSHOOTER!! Takagi endures as Tama sits deep on the hold! Takagi fights around, but Tama drags him away to center!! Takagi keeps fighting around, claws his way over, ROPEBREAK! Tama lets go quickly and fans cheer. Tama rises first, he brings Takagi up but Takagi pushes him. Tama CLUBS Takagi, but Takagi gets up to throw a forearm! Tama throws a forearm back!
Takagi shakes out the stars in his head, and he ROCKS Tama! Tama ROCKS Takagi! Takagi ROCKS Tama again! Tama ROCKS Takagi again! Takagi JABS, forearms, but Tama haymakers and body shots! Takagi kicks low, but Tama eggs him on! Takagi shoves Tama, so Tama fires off forearms! Takagi fires off boxing elbows! Takagi eggs Tama on, Tama fireman’s carries! S R C!! We hit 15 minutes so Tama hurries up top! SUPREME FLOW!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and fans fire up again! Tama pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and Takagi rises. Tama rushes in, GUN- URENAGE! Takagi spikes Tama to counter the cutter!
Takagi powers up, runs, PUMPING- NO, Tama ducks! GUN- NO, Takagi flips Tama over, underhooks, TAKAGI DRIVER ’98!! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives but Takagi then SLIDING FOREARMS! Fans fire up with Takagi’s “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi sits Tama up, and he rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Fans cheer “OI! OI! OI!” with each one! Three minute warning as Takagi torture racks, LAST OF- NO, Tama slips out, TONGAN TWIST!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Tama rises, he drags Takagi up, but Takagi fights the Half Hatch! Takagi wrenches out, Tama breaks free, Takagi JABS!
Tama JABS in return! Half Hatch, BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives the shoutout to The Prince, but Tama won’t stop there. Tama brings Takagi up at the two minute warning, to D- NO, Takagi fights the lift to back drop free! Tama’s up, GUN- NO, Takagi shoves free to POP-UP CUTTER!! Takagi runs to PUMPING BOMBER!!! Cover, TWO!??! Tama survives and fans are thunderous again! But time is running out! Takagi roars, he drags Tama up and we’re at the last minute! Tama HEADBUTTS! Takagi JABS, then HEADBUTTS, then SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!?!? Tama is roaring but Takagi runs in again, PUPMING BOMBER!!
Takagi won’t stop there, he hauls Tama up! But Tama fights the torture rack! We’re at 30 seconds, Takagi gets it up, LAST OF- GUN STUN?!?! TWENTY SECONDS!!! Tama crawls to a cover, TWO!?!? TEN SECONDS LEFT!!! Tama hurries to get Takagi up but Takagi jackknife bridge! TIME IS UP!!!!
Time Limit Draw; both men gain 1 point
The Good Bad Guy and the Rampaging Dragon were both too good for the other to beat in time! And with that comes much respect between these two. But will this result be what keeps Tama out of the quarterfinals? Or can he make a strong enough push in the final two rounds?
G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Hirooki Goto!
The Ace of the Universe and the Fierce Warrior have battled time and again, and they’re about to add to that history! Who rises and who falls as the G1 enters the home stretch?
Tanahashi takes off the jacket and fans cheer the abs. The bell rings and the fans rally and duel. Red Shoes feels things are slightly in Goto’s favor. The two tie up, they’re in a deadlock, but Tanahashi manages to put Goto on ropes. Goto turns it around, Red Shoes calls for the break, and Goto lets off slowly. Then he kicks low and fires off forearms! Goto whips, Tanahashi reverses but Goto turns hip toss into hip toss! Goto runs, RAMS Tanahashi, and Tanahashi rebounds, but into a fireman’s carry! Ushigoroshi throw into the dragon sleeper, but Tanahashi fights free! Then cradle! TWO!! The two stand off and fans fire up!
Goto clutches a rib and Tanahashi storms over. Tanahashi throws body shots, then whips corner to corner. Tanahashi runs in but Goto runs him over! Fans rally, Tanahashi bails out, and Goto goes out after him! Goto kicks and CLUBS Tanahashi, then puts him back in the ring. Goto catches his breath but fans rally up. Goto steps in but Tanahashi dropkicks the leg! Then Tanahashi grabs the leg to DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Goto falls to the floor and Tanahashi catches his own breath. Tanahashi considers if he should go out or not, and decides on going out. Tanahashi brings Goto up and into the ring and fans cheer.
Wait, Tanahashi drags Goto up at the ropes. Tanahashi puts the leg through ropes, to DRAPING DRAGON SCREW again! Goto falls over, Tanahashi gets the fans fired up, and he stomps away on Goto’s leg! Goto kicks at Tanahashi, but Tanahashi blocks that leg to stomp Goto in those bad ribs! Goto sputters and writhes and Red Shoes checks him. Goto is okay to continue, but then Tanahashi kneels on his ribs! Red Shoes reprimands, Tanahashi steps off, and then Tanahashi brings Goto up and around. Tanahashi bumps Goto off buckles, puts the bad leg in the ropes, and stomps away on it! Then DROPKICKS it!
Fans rally while Goto sits down. Goto drags himself up, Tanahashi brings him around but the bad leg gives up and Goto falls over. Red Shoes checks Goto but Tanahashi stomps the bad leg! Goto glares at Tanahashi as we pass five minutes. Tanahashi stands Goto up but Goto CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Tanahashi kicks the bad leg! Goto hobbles to a corner, Tanahashi stomps him and whips corner to corner. Goto reverses, runs in, but Tanahashi BOOTS! Tanahashi runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Goto shakes the bad leg and fans rally behind him.
Goto stalks Tanahashi, fires off forearms and whips corner to corner. Goto runs in but blocks a boot! He puts the leg in the ropes and KICKS it! Then MURAMASAS! Goto brings Tanahashi out to SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, Goto stands and he roars! Goto drags Tanahashi up but Tanahashi throws body shots! Tanahashi runs, but Goto ROCKS him! Goto runs in to clothesline Tanahashi up and out! Fans fire up while Goto sits down to catch his breath. Goto then goes out to fetch Tanahashi. Goto brings Tanahashi around just to put him in the ring. Fans cheer and Goto goes up to the apron.
Goto grits his teeth, he pounds the buckles to rally the fans, and Goto climbs up. But Tanahashi stands first! Tanahashi throws body shots, then climbs up after Goto! Fans fire up, and Goto fights back with body shots! Tanahashi throws a forearm, Goto gives it back! They brawl, Goto gets the edge, but Tanahashi gives those shots back! Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm, but Goto fires them back! Goto HEADBUTTS, then he tucks Tanahashi in! Fans fire up and Goto stands, but Tanahashi fights back! Tanahashi throws elbows, reels Goto in, but Goto throws body shots! Goto HEADBUTTS Tanahashi off the corner!
Tanahashi stands back up, runs in, blocks a boot, but SUPER DRAGON SCREWS it!! Fans fire up while both men are down! Fans rally up as Tanahashi stands and waits on Goto. Tanahashi runs, but Goto follows! But Tanahashi ducks, and SLINGBLADES! Both men are down again and fans fire back up! We hit 10 minutes and the fans rally up. Goto and Tanahashi stir, but Tanahashi is up first. Tanahashi drags Goto up, brings him around to full nelson, but Goto fights the lift! Goto breaks free, but Tanahashi straitjacket waistlocks! Goto fights, but Tanahashi still STRAITJACKET GERMANS! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Goto is still in this but Tanahashi goes up top! HIGH FLY FLOP as Goto moves! Goto runs in to fireman’s carry! But Tanahashi fights free! DRAGON PALM! Tanahashi runs, but into the fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down, that move hurting Goto’s legs in a double-edged tactic. But Goto roars and rises! Fans are dueling as Goto dragon sleepers! But Tanahashi fights from below! Goto blocks, spins Tanahashi, but Tanahashi ROCKS Goto! Goto HEADBUTTS Tanahashi! Goto drags Tanahashi back up, to HEADBUTT again!! Goto drags Tanahashi up one more time, fireman’s carries, G T W!!! Cover, TWO!?!?
The fans are thunderous that Tanahashi survives, but Goto roars! Goto drags Tanahashi up, dragon sleepers, but Tanahashi spins it around! But Goto fights the Twist! Goto suplexes, but the bad leg gives up! Tanahashi falls right onto Goto, and then stands back up! Tanahashi waits on Goto but gets impatient. Tanahashi whips, Goto reverses, but Tanahashi reverses to SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Tanahashi goes back up top! But Goto stands, into HIGH FLY ATTACK! Fans fire up and Tanahashi goes right back up! HIGH FLY FLOW!!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Goto earns 0)
And the Ace stays alive another round! Goto lost to Tanahashi, Yoshi-Hashi lost to Okada, will Bishamon end up owing The Dream Team another shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships?
As for Tanahashi, he gets the mic while hearing the fans chant for him. “NJPW is back in Nagoya, and you guys are back with the noise!” Fans cheer that, they’re happy to be able to be loud, too! Then Tanahashi suddenly lies down and says he might die. He thanks the fans, they cheer him, and Tanahashi says, “From the bottom of my heart, I am truly grateful. I will make sure you guys keep enjoying pro-wrestling!” Fans cheer that, even as Tanahashi falls back over! Their cheers help him sit back up, and he even stands. “I’ll be doing my best for the rest of this G1. Thank you all so much.” Fans cheer and he sets the mic down.
But of course, as Tanahashi is about to leave, the fans want “that!” Tanahashi teases staying, then teases leaving, and repeat. But of course he chooses to stay! “It’s been so long that I’ve nearly forgotten how to do this, but shall we?” Fans cheer, they want it! Tanahashi has the Young Lions go find “it,” and Nakashima thinks he means water. No, not that. Nakashima looks again, and he finds the air guitar! He throws it to Tanahashi, it’s a high lob, but Tanahashi catches it! Nagoya fires up and the air guitar rock concert begins! Tanahashi finishes with a big jump, then rests back on the mat. But the fans want the encore!
Tanahashi sits up, grabs the mic, and says, “Okay! Last time!” And so the encore begins! Fans cheer, and then Tanahashi SMASHES the guitar! Fans fire up, they want another encore! But he smashed that guitar! A fan throws him their “made in Aichi” air guitar! A great pass for an easy catch! And so the second encore begins! Then Tanahashi throws it back! Perfect catch! The fans chant “TANAHASHI SA IKOU! <Tanahashi’s the best!>” Tanahashi says, “Tanahashi’s the best… But can he win the G1?” Nagoya sure thinks so! Tanahashi says that phrasing also sounded like an AJPW chant.
But Tanahashi vows to win this G1 “handily!” He thanks them all for staying until the end, because everyone Nagoya… “AISHETEMAAAASU~! <I LOVE YOU~!>” Another classic Tanahashi outro, but will he get to say that to the crowd at the G1 finals?
Here are the NEW C Block standings!
David Finlay: 4-1, 8 points
EVIL: 4-1, 8 points
Tama Tonga: 3-1-1, 7 points
Eddie Kingston: 3-2, 6 points
Shingo Takagi: 2-2-1, 5 points
Mikey Nicholls: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Aaron Henare: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Tomohiro Ishii: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the NEW D Block standings!
Jeff Cobb: 4-1, 8 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 4-1, 8 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-2, 6 points
Tetsuya Naito: 3-2, 6 points
Shane Haste: 2-3, 4 points
Hirooki Goto: 2-3, 4 points
Alex Coughlin: 1-4, 2 points
Toru Yano: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
Another great round here, and I hope I have it right about who is mathematically out. Though what a great little moment for Yano to snatch that win off Cobb, the top of the block. That might be Yano’s one win, and Cobb’s one loss, but it could end up affecting seeding now that I realized this year is going to have quarterfinals. But anyway, also good stuff from Shane and ZSJ being TMDK teammates, and I figured ZSJ would win. ZSJ keeps pace with Cobb now, but Cobb’s win from just last round is the tiebreaker there so Cobb will end up first seed to ZSJ’s second seed.
Evil and Finlay winning but Tama only getting a draw also changes up seeding in their block, but I loved that Tama and Takagi had a time limit draw. G1 playing with that this year is so good, because that’s just automatic drama for all of us. And even then, Tama isn’t too far from the top of the block, so if he can win out, he can at least get ahead of Finlay, who he beat before. That’s great drama there, too. And great main event to follow with Tanahashi VS Goto. For one, Tanahashi and the fans have a lot of fun with his closing promos. And also, it does give us a possible tag title story for after the G1, should neither Goto, Hashi, Okada or Tanahashi be G1 Champion.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn’t, Dreamer and Delirious can’t book.

Well Trick Willie is the new TNA champ and this is the first iMPACT since his win…so let’s just hear him talk about it.
"TNA turned into TRICK-NA. Lets talk about it"@_trickwilliams #WWENXT
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/StU4pmi3oy
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Ratings:
- The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System: Rascalz win via Meteora – ***
- Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via…No Shit – Squash Garbage
- ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Spinning TKO – ** 3/4
- Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber: Mance wins via Hit the Pay Winda – Squash
- Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa: Team Robbie wins via shenanigans – **
- International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona: Maclin retains via KIA – ***
Results:
The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System
Octagon got jumped by The System earlier so Laredo is fighting alone. Another backstage jumping is getting a little dumb.
Laredo and Trey start. Typical Indie start with Simultaneous awful Dropkick spot and bad counters, AJ blind tag runs the smaller guys over, tags out to KC and the Rascalz instantly get the moment. KC is rocked, tags in Laredo and Laredo takes out the System before Lish gets on the apron and grabs Laredo. The referee kicks out Lish and Rehwoldt on commentary points out it’s a No DQ match so that’s dumb.
KC gets tossed at AJ, he catches him, Rascalz Dive and do their taunt as we go to commercial. We come back, Tennessee Whiskey into a KC tag in for the near fall on Laredo. Corner combo, Snapmare into Flip Forward Neck Breaker, KC is on a roll. AJ tags Laredo and starts talking crap to KC, they swerve and go Finger Poke of Doom, but it’s not a legal pin. Suddenly tornado attacks, System and Rascalz go for broke, AJ hits the Senton to break the eventual pin, Laredo counters AJ’s Chokeslam attempt. Trey clears out The System, Wentz sends himself and KC over and out, Laredo with a Corkscrew Moonsault, which looked cool but it’s the pile of morons waiting to get hit spot.
AJ hits the Down Payment on Laredo, but Trey blind tagged AJ. Meteora on AJ, Trey pins Laredo and Rascalz win.
Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali
Raj looks like shit in the gear he came down in…and he wrestles equivalently. I would rather anyone else comeback…give me Anarquia.
Ali murders Raj, Instant Dropkick, Rolling Neckbreaker, Corkscrew Standing Moonsault, it’s not close. Raj tries to counter things but Ali Bellclap, a little Duck the left, connect the right. Raj even does a terrible looking Punch Combo, he’s in bad shape, a bad looking Ushigoroshi, Raj with a sloppy looking something, 450 ends it.
Fire Raj as quickly as you brought him back. You don’t need a comedically pathetic job guy when the roster is like 4 guys getting pushed and everyone else sucks. Stop being stupid. Ali still hates women too.
This Injury Report is the dumbest segment in the history of wrestling. Stop treating fake shit as “serious business”.
ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee
ASH mocks karate stuff, Lei throws a few Rising Crane kicks as ASH bails and then things slow down a little. But a Pump Kick, Sliding Kick and Low Dropkick cause ASH to cower and claim her tooth broke. It’s a bait to pull Lei into the turnbuckles and them get in a few stomps. Ash keeps Lei in the corner, Suplexes her ankles into the buckles and then Ash throws a few Booty Shots/Hit Attacks then starts a grounded stretch, Lei Headscissors her down, still sells the hips and ankles, but dodges and fires, combination strikes into the 10 Count Down Strikes. T-bone Suplex, into the pinfall, for only two.
Cheapshot into Running Meteora from ASH for two. Ash goes for the Miz Yes Kicks and Lei No Sells and asks for more. Gorgeous Capture Suplex into Thunder Struck and TKO with flair. My baby has a better finish now! Yay!
Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber
Hannifan cursing and being pissed at Trick for not even showing but is more entertaining than a squash match. Not that Mance’s offense is bad, but 2 out of 3 job matches is stupid.
.@milanmiracle and @AriannaGraceWWE make history as the first father/daughter tag team in TNA!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/3s8OhtYFPv
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa
Marella tries to tie up with Robbie, but he bails and tags out to Victoria so Arianna comes in and aside from Alicia Fox’s silliness, the tie up was decent with Arianna and Victoria. Tessa interferes and the Referee throws her out. Victoria comes back in and aside from a slight miscommunication with how Arianna does her punches, Alicia Fox is making her look…pretty good. Transition moves, okay brawling and Arianna looks amazing in her outfit.
Rob and Santino distract the referee and Victoria hits a Figure Four into her Northern Lights Suplex, only for 2. Arianna finally Back Body Drop to find the tag, Santino and Rob, Santino does his split dodge into the Standing Headbutt, Arianna Cross Body onto Victoria. Rob pulls out the ref, then shoves the ref into Santino, Santino into the steps and Arianna attack but Alicia and Lish, the fix is in, Arianna eats the pin.
International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona
A few quick brawl moves, Shoulder Tackles, Strikes, Back Breakers, Cardona does get dumped out and eats a SCUD. Maclin bounces Cardona’s face off the apron and hits an Elbow off the apron to keep Cardona reeling, but a dodged tackle sends Maclin into the steps. Cardona tries to Piledriver Maclin on the ramp, but Back Drop counter, into commercial.
Formulaic commercial etiquette of Cardona still in control, throws Maclin into the ropes, Diving Shoulder Tackle lays both dudes out and they get up by 8. Fighting Spirit spot, Cardona hits ropes and gets hit by Maclin twice, Thesz Press, Ground and Pound, Back Elbow and Olympic Slam has Maclin rolling. Splash into Lariat for two. Maclin has been all gas no brakes. Cardona tries to take a few shortcuts that turns into a Straight Jacket Takedown. Cardona to the top, Maclin cuts him off, Superplex spot. 1-2-kick out!
Maclin goes topside for a Jar Headbutt, Cardona hits the ropes so Maclin crashes into the corner, 2 Reboots connect, the third gets caught, counter into Busaiku Knee, Jar Headbutt. In and out, Cardona uses the middle rope for the Low Blow, Killswitch from Cardona but Maclin kicks out. Cardona dodges and shoves Maclin towards the ref, he puts the brakes on, Radio Silence! 1-2-Kick out! Maclin catches a top rope move, Power Bomb, Corner Splash, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs, KIA and Maclin retains!
Overall Score: 4.5/10
Boring paint by numbers show, no Trick, System has one move, Robert Stone is a scumbag, too long to introduce new girls, lots of throw away segments and Rosemary sets up YET ANOTHER Monster’s Ball match. These aren’t interesting when there’s one every 3 months. So we can have terrible Monster’s Ball matches quarterly, Barbed Wire Massacre and Clockwork Orange House of Fun…BUT NO LOCKDOWN!?
Go home TNA, you’re drunk.
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/29/25)
B Block, FINAL ROUND!

Who heads to the finals?
Kosei Fujita won A Block, and now B Block finalizes its ranking! Who heads to the Best of the Super Juniors finals this weekend?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: KUSHIDA, Ninja Mack & Dragon Dia VS Shoma Kato, Masatora Yasuda & Daiki Nagai; Kushida, Mack & Dia win.
- Master Wato, Toru Yano & Katsuya Murashima VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Hiromu Takahashi & Yota Tsuji VS Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young; Hiromu & Tsuji win.
- Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Bullet Club; TMDK wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Kevin Knight; Knight wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Titan VS Nick Wayne; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: MAO VS SHO; Mao wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Robbie Eagles; Despy wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Taiji Ishimori; Yoh wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current B Block standings!
YOH: 5-3, 10 points
MAO: 5-3, 10 points
El Desperado: 5-3, 10 points
Nick Wayne: 4-4, 8 points
SHO: 4-4, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-4, 8 points
Robbie Eagles: 4-4, 8 points
Kevin Knight: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Titan: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Kevin Knight!
The Funky Weapon and The Jet may be out of the running, but they will still fight for themselves. Who earns their final points in this final round?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Taguchi and Knight circle with a bit of a strut, and then they tie up. Knight puts Taguchi on the ropes, the ref calls the break, and Knight lets off to swivel his hips. Taguchi pumps up, but Knight says he can’t see anything. Knight flexes and says he tsuyoi. They tie up with knuckle locks, then go shoulder to shoulder in a test of strength. Knight hooks a leg to power Taguchi back, and Taguchi bridges! The fans cheer as Taguchi fights up back up! Taguchi bends Knight into a bridge, has the shoulders down, TWO as Knight powers back up! The fans rally, Knight and Taguchi start vibing with the arm wave, then a full body wave!
Taguchi wiggles around, sends it back to Knight, and Knight spins Taguchi around and around, to then headlock. Taguchi powers up and out, drops down, then hurdles over. Knight stops to waistlock but Taguchi fires elbows. Taguchi runs to fake Knight out, but Knight goes up and over! Knight avoids the Hip Attack! The fans cheer while Taguchi stares Knight down from underneath. Taguchi says bring it, so Knight punches those cheeks! Taguchi’s iron buns withstand it, and Knight says, “Itai itai.” Knight winds up again, and he punches cheeks! Taguchi still stands tall, but the fans rally for Knight.
Knight does some push-ups, he and Taguchi do squats, and Knight winds up again. The fans rally and Knight lines up a shot, to then headlock! Taguchi powers up and out, bypasses and bypasses, but Knight redirects himself! And again, and again, and again! Knight is making Taguchi spin around, and then Taguchi gets dizzy and falls! The fans cheer while Taguchi slumps out of the ring. Knight runs and FLIES! Down goes Taguchi and the fans fire up! “Ore wa meccha, meccha… Meccha tsukareta…” Knight admits he is tired, and he asks for water. A Young Lion brings him water and Knight refreshes himself.
Taguchi sputters, Knight makes his way over to Taguchi, and then brings him back into the ring. The fans cheer and Knight snapmares Taguchi to run and SLIDING TACKLE! Cover, TWO! Taguchi is still in this and the fans applaud. Taguchi flounders, Knight does some squats to get his glutes going. Knight brings Taguchi around to HIP ATTACK! Knight gives Taguchi another HIP ATTACK! The fans rally and Knight does more squats to power up. Knight runs, but Taguchi somersaults to HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up and Taguchi powers up now. Taguchi has Knight on the ropes, rubs it in literally, and then gives point-blank HIPS!
Taguchi runs and HIP ATTACKS at the ropes! Knight dangles out of the ring! Knight flops down, the fans rally again, and Taguchi TRIANGLE JUMP PLANCHAS! Down goes Knight and the fans fire up again! Taguchi rises, steadies himself, and then puts Knight in the ring. Taguchi goes up, up, and MISSILE HIPS! Cover, TWO! Knight is still in this and the fans rally again. Taguchi looks to the corner, and he calls upon the powers of Strange Style! “ORYA~!” Taguchi runs in, but Knight hurdles Ketsuye! SUPERKICK! Taguchi mule kicks, runs, but Knight somersaults, into a FLAPJACK! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Knight endures, reaches out, but Taguchi drags him back!
Knight reaches up to headscissor into the victory roll, TWO! Taguchi goes to a corner, BOOTS back, then goes up, MISSILE HIP meets DROPKICK! Knight’s antiair works out, and then he somersaults to SATELLITE DDT! Knight goes up top and the fans rally for the hip swivel and MOTHERSHIP UFO SPLASH! Cover, Knight wins!
Winner: Kevin Knight, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)
The Jet still flies high, and he ends with a 4-5 record. Taguchi ends with 6 points in the 9th round, is that nice enough for him?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Titan VS Nick Wayne!
El Inmortal may not have life in the block, but he can still be a spoiler! Will he pop the Prodigy’s bubble? Or will this still be Wayne’s World in the end?
The bell rings and Titan runs up! Nick dodges, whips, but Titan reverses to TORNADO- NO, Nick powers out! Nick wrenches and whips, Titan goes up and over, and then Titan handsprings away! The fans cheer as things keep moving. Nick hurdles then bypasses Titan to UPPERCUT him down! Nick kips up and the fans cheer again. Nick covers, TWO! The fans rally as Nick brings Titan up. Nick CHOPS Titan, Titan leans on the ropes, and Nick brings him around. Nick ROCKS Titan, then whips corner to corner. Nick runs in, UPPERCUTS, and then pushes Titan down to cover, TWO! Titan stays in this and the fans applaud.
Nick stays cool and he sits Titan up. Nick KICKS Titan in the back, then paces. Titan writhes but Nick brings him back up. Titan CHOPS and the fans “WOO~!” Titan CHOPS again, but Nick ROCKS him! Nick then whips Titan, runs in, but Titan BOOTS, SOBATS, KICKS, and fires fast hands! Nick ducks the jump sobat to SOBAT back! Nick cravats, ASAI DDT. but Titan kips up! PELE! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Titan roars and rises up, then he brings Nick around. TRAILER HITCH! Nick endures the leglock and the fans rally again! Nick crawls forward, reaches out, and manages the ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud and Titan lets go of the hold. Nick shakes out the legs but Titan KICKS Nick in the back. Titan brings Nick in but Nick resists the lift. The fans rally again as Nick and Titan fight for control. Nick wrenches, kicks, and runs, but Titan follows to RANA! Nick bails out, Titan builds speed, and Titan DIVES into an UPPERCUT! The fans rally harder as Titan flops to the apron! Nick rises, he stalks Titan on the apron, and Nick drags Titan up. The ref says don’t do it, but the fans rally up. Nick waistlocks, then goes for the nelson, but Titan resists. Titan fires elbows and Nick backs off. Titan runs up but Nick BOOTS him!
Nick runs up, but Titan SUPERKICKS! Nick falls back, Titan skins the cat to the top rope! Titan aims for LA APRON LANCER!! The fans fire up and Titan roars while Nick sputters and coughs! Titan shoves Nick into the ring, goes up the corner again, and LA LANC- NO, Nick dodges! Titan’s leg jams, Nick DROPKICKS the other out, then he DRAGON SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Titan survives and Nick snarls. Nick goes to the corner and climbs up while the fans rally again. FROG- NO, Titan bails out! Nick rolls through and then comes right back, to FLY over the corner! Down goes Titan and the fans fire up!
Titan puts Nick in, goes back up, and he tries again! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Titan survives again and the fans fire up! Nick huffs ‘n’ puffs, hears the fans cheering, and shouts “IKU ZO!” Nick drags Titan up, hooks a leg, PRODIGY- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!! Nick escapes, Titan ducks the roundhouse to fire off his strike fest! But Nick still ROUNDHOUSES! Nick goes up, up, WAYNE’s- NO, Titan stops the cutter to shove and TORNADO DDT! Titan isn’t done there! He suplexes and GOURD- NO! Nick lands out! But Titan goes Matrix and then CALF KICKS! Titan roars, the fans fire up, and Titan has the ripcord, YOYO SLAM!
Titan goes to a corner, skins the cat again, and LA LANCER!!! Titan crawls to the cover, TWO?!?! Nick survives, but Titan ties up the legs! Deathlock, and then LLAVE INMORTAL!! Nick is caught, the straitjacket variation is in, and Nick QUITS!! Titan wins!!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; Nick earns 0)
Nick Wayne falls to 4-5, he is out of the running! But bigger yet, Titan has a win over the ROH World Television Champion! AEW/ROH and CMLL are going to meet in Arena Mexico for Grand Slam: Mexico, could these two run it back with gold on the line?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: MAO VS SHO!
The Strange Love Connection is the first of the top three to compete tonight, and while he has to hope for the others to fall, he still has to do his part and win. Will the Murder Machine make that all moot with another underhanded trick up his sleeve? Or can the star of DDT Pro make it to the finals?
Wait, Mao already turns the tables by pedaling in on his bike! He RAMS Sho down from behind! The fans fire up as Mao hurries to CLUB Sho down! Yujiro Takahashi AND Ren Narita hurry out here already to mug Mao before this on the record! The fans boo but Mao’s friends from DDT Pro are here! Kanon helps fight off the House, and Mao wants fans to clear out! Mao whips, but Sho reverses and BOWLS Mao into chairs! STRIKE! Ren & Yujiro keep the rest of DDT Pro back while Sho CHOKES Mao with a chair! The ref reprimands but Sho shoves him back! Wait, Kanon has the house in headlocks! Shunma Katsumata stops Sho from hitting Mao with the chair!
Sho gets mad hearing that trash talk, but that lets Mao SMACK Sho in the back with a chair! And Mao sends Sho out the door?! The fans rally as everyone is waiting on the street, and Mao runs to FLY! Down goes the House and DDT stands tall! Wait, wait, they spot a fan parked nearby. Mao hops in and he turns the key! The fans cheer as Mao kicks it into drive, and he comes barreling down the road! Sho and the House freak out, and Sho gets SMACKED by the front of the van! The fans cheer and Mao grins as he steps out. The ref reprimands but Mao drags Sho back into the building! Mao says now they can have this match!
Mao makes Sho sit on the hand cart, and Mao pushes Sho back to ringside! The fans cheer as Sho is barely conscious as Mao drags Sho into the ring. The bell finally rings, Mao covers, TWO!! Sho survives Mao’s hit ‘n’ run and Mao can’t believe it! Mao drags Sho up, but the ref wants to check him. Sho sputters and sits up in a daze, and Ren drags Mao out! Ren beats up Mao, beats up on Mao’s team, and Yujiro SMACKS Mao with a chair! The fans boo as they put Mao’s arm in a chair! Yujiro STOMPS away on the chair! Ren POSTS Kanon, and Sho grabs Mao’s bike! Sho brings it over and he runs over Mao’s arm! Sho does wheelies to smash Mao’s arm!
The fans boo but then Sho adds insult to injury by RIPPING OFF the DDT Pro hood off the bike! Sho and the House beat up the bike! The ref reprimands and Mao says they’ll pay for that! Sho CLUBS Mao, puts him in the ring, and then pushes him to a cover, TWO! Sho has the arm for a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Mao endures and the fans rally. Mao kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Sho puts Mao on the apron, and he has the arm in the rope! ARM WRINGER! Sho then pulls Mao through the corner, traps his arm against the buckle pad, and then KNEES the arm! Mao is stuck and Sho stands on the arm!
The ref counts, Sho step off, and Mao is freed. The fans rally, Mao throws a forearm but there’s not much to it. Sho kicks Mao, Mao fires more shots, but Sho slips around, GERMAN ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Mao flails, reaches out, but Sho pulls on the arm! Mao still kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Sho lets Mao go, and Mao clutches his arm. Sho wrenches Mao’s arm, twists it, and hits the ELBOW BREAKER! Sho holds on to wrench and ELBOW BREAKER again! Sho grins as he lets Mao slump down. Sho knuckle locks, wrenches, and ELBOW- SLEEPER!! Mao has Sho now and the fans fire up!
Sho pries at the bad arm, pulls the fingers, but Mao breaks free! Look! HAYMAKER! Sho wobbles and the fans fire up! Mao whips, Sho reverses, but Mao SHOTGUNS! Sho flounders, the fans rally up, and Mao runs to BOOT Sho! Sho sputters, Mao runs again, CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Sho survives, but is now in JUST FACELOCK! Sho endures, fights around, and both Ren & Yujiro are on the apron. But Mao’s team YANKS them down! Sho flails, the bell rings, but it was REN! The fans boo the usual tricks from the House, and Mao is upset that he fell for such a basic trick. Mao drags Sho up, but Sho CLAWS Mao’s eyes!
Sjo runs, but Mao uses the ref as a shield! Mao runs, but now Sho uses the ref as a shield! Sho runs but Mao hurdles over the spear! Mao sends the ref back at Sho, then he HIGH JUMP CUTTERS!! The fans fire up and Mao waits on Sho. Sho rises, Mao brings him around, OSAKA RENKAI!! Cover, YUJIRO DRAGS THE REF OUT! The fans boo, Kanon is up but Yuijro & Ren BLAST him! The House mugs Mao, drags him up, and double whip him into a corner. Yujiro BOOTS Mao, Ren ELBOWS Mao, then Ren snapmares Mao to hold him open! Yujiro hits the FALLING HEADBUTT LOW BLOW! The fans boo while Mao writhes!
Ren stands Mao up and Yujiro has his pimp cane! But wait, SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICK from Shunma! Down goes Tokyo Pimp! Ren BOOTS Shunma, he BOOTS Kanon, but Kanon roars! Ren CLAWS Kanon’s eyes, runs, but Kanon LARIATS! The fans fire up as the full Strange Love Connection aims at Sho, HIGH LOW LARIATS!! Shunma builds speed and he DIVES! Down go Ren & Yujiro! Kanon & Mao set Sho up, but YOSHINOBU KANEMARU shows up! WHISKEY MIST for Kanon, and the BOTTLE SHOT for Mao! The fans boo as the Heel Master helps screw over the enemies of the House!
Kanemaru shoves the ref in and Sho laughs at Mao! STRAITJACKET DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Mao survives and the fans fire up! But Sho has the ARMBAR!! Mao flails, fights around, and he stacks Sho! TWO and Sho still has the arm! SNAKE BITE!! Mao fights against the modified triangle, fights his way over, and has the ROPEBREAK!! The fans cheer and Sho lets go in frustration. Sho crawls his way over and looks for his things. Sho grabs his Torture Tool and NEVER Openweight Six Man belt. The ref sees the belt and takes that, but then Mao surprises Sho with is iron gauntlet! Mao PUNCHES the Torture Tool down!
Sho dodges the fist, pushes Mao to ropes, and Kanemaru is there! But Mao ducks, WHISKEY MIST hits Sho! Mao BOOTS Kanemaru, then powers up the gauntlet! ROCKET PUNCH!! And then SAMURAI SUPERKICK!! Cover, TWO?!?! Sho survives, but Mao says he’ll finish this now! Mao drags Sho to a drop zone, climbs up the corner, and 450 SPLASHES!!! Cover, MAO WINS!!
Winner: Mao, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)
Sho tried to stack the deck, but justice was still served! Mao is alive in the block, if only for now. Can he count on Robbie Eagles AND Taiji Ishimori to bring down El Desperado and Yoh?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Robbie Eagles!
The Rogue Luchador still has that target on his back, not only because he could go to the finals with his win and Yoh’s loss, but because he is THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Could the Sniper of the Skies kill two birds with one victory? Or is Despy about to go back-to-back at the BOSJ finals?
Eagles shows off his Soul of PWA Championship, and makes a point that it is bigger and shinier. Despy says yeah, that’s nice. The fans rally and duel already, and the bell rings. Despy and Eagles circle, the fans rally more, and they feel things out. The fans already start up “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” so Eagles joins in! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” The fans applaud, Eagles mocks Despy’s bow and waving arms, then the two tie up. Despy waistlocks, Eagles switches but Despy wrenches. Eagles rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks, but Despy headlocks for the takeover.
Eagles headscissors, Despy rolls Eagles around to then float, but Eagles gets his leg guard up. Eagles wrangles Despy and goes for a leg, but Despy rolls to have a toehold. Eagles kicks Despy down to have the HEEL HOOK! Despy scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Eagles lets go, and Despy goes to the apron. Eagles smirks and eggs Despy on. Despy rises up, the fans rally and duel, and Despy steps inside. Despy and Eagles circle, tie up, and Despy powers Eagles to the ropes. Red Shoes counts the break, Despy lets off to pat Eagles on the shoulder. But then he KNEES low! Despy whips, but Eagles holds ropes to block!
Despy still tries, Eagles still holds on, but Despy CLAWS Eagles’ eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Despy whips, only for Eagles to go up and around to arm-drag! Things keep moving, Eagles hurdles then RANAS, but Despy sunset flips through! TWO, Eagles high stacks, TWO! Both men stand, Despy KNEES low again, then whips. Eagles reverses to WHEEL KICK and kip up! The fans fire up and Eagles paces. Despy rises but Eagles is on him with a CHOP! Despy goes to ropes, Eagles is on him in the corner. Eagles CHOPS, puts Despy’s leg in ropes, and pulls! Despy shouts for Red Shoes, Red Shoes counts, and Eagles lets go, to basement 619!
Despy tumbles out of the ring, the fans rally, and Eagles paces. Eagles mockingly calls for Despy, then goes to the outside. Eagles stomps away on Despy’s leg, and then SMASHES it on the floor! Eagles flexes, says hey to Ninja Mack on commentary, then goes for Despy. Despy fires body shots and CHOPS, but Eagles TACKLES him down! Eagles YANKS Despy’s leg, puts him in the ring, then sits him up to step over and tie up the legs! STUMP PULLER! Despy endures and clubs at Eagles’ leg, but Eagles drops back to make this a cover, ONE!! The fans cheer as Despy sits up. Eagles KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! But Despy blcoks!
Despy spins Eagles, Eagles knees free, then Eagles runs, but Despy dropkicks a leg! Despy grabs that leg for a SHIN BREAKER! The fans fire up while Eagles writhes. Despy has the leg and SPLASHES down on it! Eagles kicks at Despy from the mat, but Despy pushes on a leg to have a toehold! Eagles endures, Despy drags him around, and ties up the legs for an INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Despy slaps his own leg into working, but Eagles sits up to CHOP! Despy eggs him on so Eagles CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Despy “falls over” and that puts on more pressure! Eagles flails while Despy just lounges. Eagles crawls over, pushes Despy out of his way, and has the ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud and Red Shoes calls the break. Despy claims he needs help, but Eagles fires hands! Despy lets go, but he kneels on the bad leg! Eagles has the ropes again, Red Shoes counts, and Despy finally stands. Eagles crawls away, but he refuses to let Red Shoes stop this. Despy drags Eagles up but Eagles fires body shots and forearms! Despy KNEES low, but Eagles BOOTS! Eagles whips, Despy reverses, but Eagles fights the spinebuster! Despy KNEES low again, suplexes, but Eagles slips free to CHOP BLOCK and BLINDSLIDE LARIAT! Despy tumbles out, the fans rally up, and Eagles pushes through the pain to DIVE!
The fans fire up with Eagles but he still hobbles on that bad leg. Eagles sees a young fan dressed like him and cheers with him. Eagles then puts Despy in the ring, pounds the apron, and the fans rally up more. Eagles springboards to SNIPER DROPKICK! And then he has the leg to roll Despy into the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Despy shouts and flails, scratches and claws, and makes his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Eagles lets go, then Eagles drags Despy to center. Despy kicks at Eagles, but Eagles KICKS the leg! Despy writhes, Eagles hobbles, and they go to opposite corners. Eagles runs in, but Despy dodges!
Eagles’ knees hit buckles, Despy runs up, and Despy blocks a boot! Despy kicks one leg, and DRAGON SCREWS the other! Then he has the STRETCH MUFFLER! Eagles flails, reaches out, but Despy thrashes him around! Eagles lunges to the ROPEBREAK! Despy lets go and the fans rally again. Despy hobbles over to bring Eagles up, and he reels Eagles in. Despy suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud while Despy drags Eagles up. Despy gut wrenches for GUITARRA- NO, Eagles slips free and waistlocks! Despy ELBOWS Eagles, whips, but Eagles reverses, only for Despy to reverse and SPINEBUSETR! High stack, TWO!
Despy has the STRETCH MUFFLER! Eagles endures, Despy thrashes, then Despy rolls Eagles away to have NUMERO DOS! Eagles reaches out with his free arm, then activates the core to sit up! Eagles DESTROY- NO, Despy blocks the rolling driver, tucks Eagles in, but Eagles CLUBS away on the legs! Eagles slips free, wrangles Despy, and has the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Despy endures, reaches out, and he crawls forward. Despy drags Eagles along with him, but Eagles drags Despy back! Eagles puts on the pressure and the fans are thunderous! Despy fights his way forward again, but Eagles thrashes around! Despy gives it one last gasp and he has the ROPEBREAK!!
Eagles lets go, to drop KNEES on the knee! Then GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Then SPINNING TOEHOLD! Despy writhes, Eagles goes out and up, for WARP 4.5, but onto KNEES! Well, to clarify, the legs are usually the target, but Despy gets his knees up to jam Eagles! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Eagles and Despy stir, then crawl for each other. They go forehead to forehead, then rise up to go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth! Despy slaps his leg into working, ROCKS Eagles, and then stands. Eagles ROCKS Despy, Despy ROCKS Eagles again, but now Eagles UPPERCUTS!
The fans rally up more as Despy storms back up. He SLAPS Eagles! Eagles takes off the headband and bandana! Eagles huffs ‘n’ puffs and SLAPS Despy! And SLAPS, and KICKS! Despy ROCKS Eagles, but Eagles says I’LL BE BACK! ROUNDHOUSE! SUPERKICK! ENZI- NO, Despy ducks to roll and STRETCH MUFFLER! Eagles rolls Despy to a cover, TWO! Eagles schoolboys with a bridge, TWO! Despy stands, Eagles SOBATS, then ASAI DDTS! Cover, TWO!! Despy stands, spins Eagles around and around, then PINCHE LOCO!! But Despy can’t make the cover! The fans fire up as Despy crawls and covers, TWO!!!
The fans fire up as Eagles survives! Despy rises, brings Eagles around, and Despy underhooks. TIGER DRIVER!! And then he underhooks again, but Eagles fireman’s carries! Eagles shifts things around to hit the TURBO BACKPACK!! Eagles crawls to the cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans are thunderous! Eagles goes to the corner, takes aim, and he basement SUPERKICKS!! Eagles can’t make the cover, his bad leg hurts too much! The fans rally harder as both men rise, and Eagles is back at the corner. Eagles runs to HYPER- NO, Despy ducks and has the leg! STRETCH MUFFLER! NUMERO DOS!! Eagles flails, sits up again, but Despy makes it a SPINEBUTER!!
Despy has NUMERO DOS PLUS!!! Eagles dangles as he endures, and he QUITS! Despy wins!!!
Winner: El Desperado, by submission (gains 2 points; Eagles earns 0)
The Sniper could not take out the Rogue Luchador, and Desperado is still in the running! With that, Mao is now out of the running, too, so it all comes down to the main event!
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Taiji Ishimori!
The pressure is on for Direct Drive! Yoh beat Despy in their 1v1, so if Yoh wins, he is in! Will this be a fresh finals for the Best of the Super Juniors? Or can the Bone Soldier help Despy make it through?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Yoh and Taiji circle, feel things out, and they tie up. Taiji wrenches to a wristlock, but Yoh rolls then trips Taiji. Taiji counters by going for the armbar, but Yoh stacks Taiji to a cover, ONE! The two back off and the fans cheer. Yoh and Taiji reset, circle again, and feel things out. They knuckle lock, but then Yoh goes for a leg. Taiji holds him off and puts him on ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, and Taiji lets off with pats to the shoulder. The two reset again, tie up, and Taiji headlocks. Yoh fires body shots, powers up and out, then drops down. Yoh bypasses Taiji, drop toeholds, but Taiji avoids the basement dropkick!
Yoh avoids a Penalty Kick, but Taiji kicks low to snapmare and NECK- NO, Yoh victory rolls, so that he can NECK TWIST! The fans rally while Taiji goes to ropes. Yoh runs up, Taiji puts him on the apron, but Yoh blocks a shot. Taiji ducks Yoh’s punch to HOTSHOT him down! Taiji then runs to a corner, goes up, up, and GOLDEN TRIANGLE MOONSAULTS! The fans fire up and Taiji brings Yoh around. Taiji hammerlocks Yoh’s arm and POSTS him! Yoh staggers away, Taiji goes off to the blue corner and he undoes the buckle pad. The Bullet Club Special is in play, but Taiji waits as the ring count climbs.
Yoh stands at 3 of 20, shakes out the bad arm, and rolls in at 8. The fans cheer, Taiji storms up, but Yoh fires a forearm! Taiji fires back, snapmares, and NECK TWISTS! The fans cheer while Yoh clutches his neck and shoulder. Taiji drags Yoh up, snapmares, and FIST DROPS! Cover, TWO! Taiji sits Yoh up to clamp on with a chinlock! Yoh endures the knee in his back, then fights his way around. Yoh reaches out, but Taiji turns him with a wristlock. Taiji wrenches and WRINGS Yoh to then WRING the arm again! Yoh scrambles to ropes while the fans cheer. Taiji storms over, grabs the arm, and has a COBRA CLUTCH!
Yoh endures as Taiji drags him away to center. Yoh kicks and reaches out, then fights up. Taiji ripcords to RAM Yoh, then COBRA CLUTCH and a takedown! COBRA TRIANGLE! The fans rally as Yoh endures, and Yoh kicks around to have the ROPEBREAK! Taiji lets go in frustration, and Yoh coughs and sputters as he catches his breath. Taiji CLUBS Yoh, drags him up, but Yoh fires forearms and kicks! Taiji BODY BLOWS, then CLUBS Yoh! Yoh goes back to the ropes, Taiji brings him around to whip into a corner. Taiji runs up, but Yoh BOOTS him away! Taiji comes back, but into a clinch, BACKBREAKER and NECKBREAKER!
The fans rally while both men are down again. Yoh and Taiji rise, and Yoh runs up to rally with forearms! Yoh whips, Taiji reverses, but Yoh FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up with Yoh, and he brings Taiji up. Yoh scoops Taiji to SLAM him, and then he revels in cheers. Yoh drops the ELBOW, then covers. TWO, and Yoh drops the KNEE! Cover, TWO and Yoh SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Yoh shakes out the arm. Yoh drags Taiji up, reels him in, but Taiji fights the suplex to wrench and ARM CODE BREAKER! Then BONE LOCK! But Yoh rolls it fast! TWO!! Taiji kicks low, CLAWS Yoh’s eyes, then whips.
Yoh reverses, Taiji handsprings, but Yoh catches him! Taiji switches, ducks an elbow, then spins Yoh around, to POST him! The Bullet Club Special comes through, and Taiji brings Yoh out. Taiji hammerlocks the arm, scoops, and SHOULDER BUSTERS! Yoh writhes, Taiji goes back to the corner, and the fans rally up. Taiji runs back in, tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTIC- NO, Yoh spins that into a COBRA TWIST! Yoh then shifts to throw elbows, and he puts on the ANACONDA VICE! Taiji reaches out, fights his way over, but Yoh wrangles him to the mat! Taiji endures, rolls, pops free, and has the BONE LOCK!!
Yoh endures again and the fans rally back up! Yoh fights around, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him back for BLOODY- NO, Yoh handsprings through and O’Conner Rolls! Taiji stops the bridge, pushes Yoh down, BONE LOCK!! Yoh endures again and the fans rally! Yoh fights over again, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Yoh literally escapes by a foot. Taiji lets go, then grins as he brings Yoh back up. Taiji gut wrenches, and CIPHER UTAKI! But Taiji says that’s not all! He aims his finger gun, says BANG, and then brings Yoh back in. But Yoh suplexes, FALCON GOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans rally up again!
Yoh and Taiji slowly stir, rise up, and Yoh fires a forearm! Taiji fires back! Yoh fires another, Taiji fires another, repeat! They pick up speed and the fans rally! Taiji LARIATS but Yoh stays up! Yoh LARIATS but Taiji stays up! They both roar, and DOUBLE LARIAT! Yoh runs up but Taiji JUMP KNEES! BANG and BLOODY- NO, Yoh wrenches out to HEADBUTT! Both men fall and the fans fire up! Taiji and Yoh stir, but Yoh sits up first. Yoh roars, slaps his bad arm into working, and then crawls over to Taiji. Yoh underhooks but Taiji fights the lift! Taiji wrenches out but Yoh full nelsons! Taiji fights that, but Yoh ripcords!
Taiji blocks the knee but that hurts his harm! Taiji takes a swing, but into the ANACONDA VICE! Taiji fights the hold, wrenches out, and tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!!! Yoh fights around, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him! Yoh uses that to have the ANACONDA VICE!!! Taiji endures, fights to sit up, and then he stands to fire body shots. Taiji RAMS Yoh into the bare buckles! Both men fall back and the fans rally harder! Taiji drags Yoh up, reels him in, but Yoh blocks! Yoh fireman’s carries, and he hits an USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up and Yoh full nelsons Taiji! DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Taiji escapes but Yoh vows to end this! The fans are thunderous as Yoh hauls Taiji up! DIRECT DRIVE!!! Cover, YOH WINS!!!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)
The Bone Soldier fails, and now Desperado is NOT going to the finals! Desperado will now be on the outside looking in, waiting for his next challenger.
Speaking of which, Kosei Fujita now makes his way out here to be face to face with Yoh. Yoh holds the ropes open for Fujita to step into the ring. Fujita and Yoh get face to face, and Fujita points at the tag title on Yoh’s shoulder, because he also wants that belt. Yoh knows, since he and Wato took it from Fujita & Eagles. But Yoh dismisses Fujita, they’ll meet again on June 1st. Yoh then takes up the mic to tell Fujita, “Ya bastard… I’ll show you true chaos! Now, just one more win. In Ota, the best wind will blow.” Yoh drops the mic to leave it at that. Will that wind be the winds of change? Or will Yoh fail to bring down The Mighty Japanese Young Punk?
Here are the FINAL B Block standings!
YOH: 6-3, 12 points [FINALIST]
El Desperado: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
MAO: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
Taiji Ishimori: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Robbie Eagles: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
SHO: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Nick Wayne: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Kevin Knight: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Titan: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-6, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
A great night to wrap round nine and therefore the round robin portion. No repeat BOSJ finalists, which is actually great because now we’ve got a fresh match-up. Taguchi VS Knight was still a great match for not affecting outcomes, and Knight gets to return to AEW with a win. The flipside is Titan gets a win over Nick Wayne, I really do think it books itself, Nick VS Titan for the ROH World TV Championship on Grand Slam: Mexico. Christian Cage can even be condescending to Nick over how Nick didn’t make it to the finals, adding to that feud. Nick can beat Titan in the rematch, then get in Christian’s face to make a match for All In: Texas, or at least Supercard of Honor where ROH titles should be showing up anyway.
Great stuff with Mao and his team against Sho and the House of Torture. I was pleasantly surprised that Mao won, and I wonder if the House of Torture goes to a DDT Pro show to battle it out with Strange Love Connection. Mao winning also added great drama to the remaining matches, Despy VS Eagles was awesome stuff, probably the actual best match of the night. Yoh VS Taiji wasn’t quite as hot going by the crowd, but Yoh getting the win to shut the door on Despy was good. Yoh VS Fujita will be great, a bit hard to call, but that makes it fun.
My Score: 9/10
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