Will the Rebel slay the Dragon?

David Finlay leads Bullet Club and he leads C Block! But will the G1 Climax get tranquilo as Shingo Takagi takes down The Rebel?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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 current 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 [ELIMINATED]
Toru Yano: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Alex Coughlin!

The Ace of the Universe just won in the main event of the last round, and he looks to keep this hot hand going! But will he be able to trump the Deadeye Dreadnought? Or will this War Dog refuse to go down easy?

The bell rings and fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, and are in a deadlock as Tanahashi can’t push Coughlin back. But then Coughlin pushes Tanahashi right back to the ropes! The ref counts the break, Coughlin lets off slowly, then swings. Tanahashi dodges and fans cheer. The two tie up again, Tanahashi headlocks, but Coughlin stands up to lift Tanahashi! Tanahashi kicks and flails to hold on, but Coughlin powers up and powers out. Coughlin then runs Tanahashi over! Fans cheer, as Coughlin is still physically impressive. Coughlin shows off the abs and flexes, then he stomps Tanahashi, and UPPERCUTS him to a corner!

Coughlin talks smack, whips Tanahashi corner to corner, but Tanahashi dropkicks the legs out! Coughlin goes to a corner and fans rally behind Tanahashi. Tanahashi storms up to stomp Coughlin, and Tanahashi puts a leg on the ropes. Tanahashi stomps the leg, the ref reprimands and counts, and Tanahashi lets off with a dropkick to that leg! Fans cheer as Tanahashi air guitars. Tanahashi brings Coughlin out, grabs the leg, then trips Coughlin so he can step through for a standing toehold! Fans rally with “Let’s Go, Ace! Let’s Go, Ace!” as he leans on the hold. But Coughlin IRON CLAWS Tanahashi’s face!

Coughlin fights his way up but Tanahashi breaks free! Tanahashi fires forearms, but Coughlin CHOPS Tanahashi right down! Fans fire up as Tanahashi rises, and Coughlin CHOPS him back down! Tanahashi rises again, Coughlin runs in to CHOP Tanahashi up and out of the ring! Fans fire up and Coughlin goes out to fetch Tanahashi. Coughlin SMACKS him off the apron, RAMS him into the apron, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi drops to his knees but Coughlin RAMS him into railing! The ref wants this back in the ring, but Coughlin stands on Tanahashi’s face! The ref reprimands, Coughlin lets off, and he scoops Oskar Leube!

Coughlin SLAMS Leube onto Tanahashi like a human weapon! Fans cheer, and then Coughlin kicks the Young Lion away. Coughlin drags Tanahashi up and puts him in the ring. Fans rally behind Tanahashi as Coughlin goes to the apron. Tanahashi CHOP BLOCKS through the ropes! Then Tanahashi puts the leg through the ropes, but Coughlin DECKS him first! Coughlin steps in and storms up to Tanahashi. Coughlin fires forearms against the ropes, then he whips Tanahashi, only for Tanahashi to FLYING FOREARM! Fans fire up with Tanahashi and he waits on Coughlin. We hit five minutes as Tanahashi fires fast hands!

Tanahashi brings Coughlin around to scoop and SLAM him into the drop zone! Fans fire up and Tanahashi hops up, for the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi keeps his cool and he waits on Coughlin to rise. Fans rally, Tanahashi runs, but Coughlin stops the Slingblade to hit a SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKER! And then a deadlift back suplex! Fans cheer, that is still impressive. Coughlin slashes his throat, drags Tanahashi back up and fireman’s carries, but Tanahashi fights free! Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS! And then he blocks Coughlin’s kick to spin him into TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi then runs to SLINGBLADE!

Fans fire up, Coughlin roars as he rises, but Tanahashi runs in to SLING-DOG! Cover, TWO! Coughlin hangs tough but Tanahashi goes to the corner again. Tanahashi climbs, Coughlin stands, into the HIGH FLY ATTACK! FALL AWAY BRIDGE?!? TWO!! Coughlin deadlifts Tanahashi again, to fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Coughlin roars and rises again! Coughlin BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and Coughlin is furious! Fans fire up, Coughlin goes back for more! Coughlin drags Tanahashi up, reels him in, and suplexes! But Tanahashi fights it! But Coughlin blocks the cradle!

Coughlin deadlift suplexes, to the JACKHAMMER! Cover, COUGHLIN WINS!!

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

Everyone is shocked as Coughlin trumps The Ace! The Dreadnought may not be going to the quarterfinals, but did he just make sure Tanahashi won’t, either?

G1 Climax 33, C Block: EVIL w/ Dick Togo VS Mikey Nicholls w/ Kosei Fujita!

The King of Darkness keeps on stacking the deck every time, and he’s made it work so that he is at the top of the block! But will Darkness Fall on Mad Mikey? Or will even Evil fail to make the Mighty kneel?

Wait, the House of Torture attacks Mikey & Kosei at the ramp! Dick beats Kosei down while Evil claws Mikey’s eyes! The ref reprimand but this isn’t a match yet so there’s not much he can do! Evil CLUBS Mikey and puts him in the ring. Evil CLUBS Mikey again, the bell rings, and Evil covers, TWO! Fans rally for Mikey but Evil stomps him around. Evil CLUBS Mikey yet again, and Mikey finally gets his shirt off. Mikey throws it at Evil, but Evil uses that to CHOKE Mikey! The ref counts, Evil lets off at 4. Evil drags Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Evil knees low, reels Mikey back in, but Mikey suplexes!

Fans fire up as Mikey holds Evil for TWENTY before the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Evil writhes and the fans fire up as Mikey CHOPS him! And CHOPS him again! Mikey bumps Evil off buckles, headlocks, and scrapes Evil on the ropes! Dick protests but Mikey lets off quickly. Mikey whips, Evil reverses, and Dick trips Mikey! Fans boo but Evil throws Mikey out. And guess what? Evil RAMS Mikey into the timekeeper! Abe-san goes down and Evil grabs the mic to CHOKE Mikey with the cord! Evil tells Mikey that he’s already done. But then Mikey gets the mic to call Evil a POS! Evil stomps Mikey then drags him into the crowd area!

Fans get up already, and Evil BOWLS Mikey into their chairs! Fans rally, the ref reprimands, but Evil CHOKES Mikey with a chair! The ref reprimands and counts, Evil lets off and storms around. Evil goes back to ringside and fans rally up for Mikey. The ring count starts, Mikey stands at 3 of 20 and hurries back to ringside. His ribs are hurting, though, and that slows him down. He makes it back to ringside at 12, stumbles a bit, and he falls at 16! But he springs up and in at 18! Fans fire up but Evil is on Mikey with a cover. TWO, and Evil CHOKES Mikey with the shirt again! Fans boo and the ref counts!

Evil lets off, throws the shirt at Kosei, then acts like the ref has to stop Kosei. Evil puts Mikey in the Cobra Twist, and links up with Dick! The House gets away with that one and Evil pushes Mikey down. Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Evil is frustrated. We’ve only just hit five minutes, and Mikey pushes Evil. Evil stomps Mikey, drags him up, and wrenches an arm to then whip corner to corner. Evil runs in but into an ELBOW! Mikey swings, misses, Evil waistlocks but ducks an elbow, and Mikey DDTs! Fans fire up while both men are down! Mikey and Evil go to opposite ends, and then Mikey runs in to clothesline!

Mikey whips Evil corner to corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! He still clotheslines Evil! Fans fire up and Mikey fireman’s carries! Dick gets on the apron! Evil slips free, shoves Mikey, but Mikey reverses to send Evil into Dick! And then fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Mikey runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Evil is still in this but Mikey fires up! Fans rally with Mikey and he drags Evil up. Mikey brings Evil around, whips, but Evil holds ropes. Evil BOOTS Mikey, then shoves him at the ref! Evil then rushes up, but Mikey blocks the low blow with a knee! Mikey whips, Evil reverses, and now Mikey goes into the ref!

Dick gets in to attack Mikey! And Dick BLASTS Kosei, too! Fans boo but Dick soaks up the heat. Dick drags Mikey up, he and Evil bump Mikey off buckles! And then whip corner to corner! Dick whips Evil but Evil thinks he’s to whip Dick. The miscommunication aside, Evil still clotheslines Mikey in the corner! Dick then BACK ELBOWS! Feed to a scoop SLAM! Evil gets Mikey’s legs, and Dick goes up top! FLYING DICK PUNCH!! In more ways than one! Fans boo and tell Dick to go home, but Dick fetches the ref instead. Evil covers, TWO! Fans fire up and Evil is furious! Evil covers again, TWO!! So Dick drags the ref out!

Dick gets back in, he and Evil mug Mikey! Fans boo, but the House drags Dick up. But Kosei makes the save! Kosei TOSSES Dick, fans fire up as Mikey body scissors to DOUBLE LEG BRIDGE! Mikey wins!!

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

Now Evil is REALLY mad at the ref! The King of Darkness loses in under ten minutes, to a man who is already out of the running! Will this loss be what keeps Evil out of the G1 quarterfinals?

G1 Climax 33, D Block: Toru Yano VS Shane Haste w/ Kosei Fujita!

The Clown Prince is out of the running but he still got a win off the seemingly unstoppable Jeff Cobb! However, will he fail to make even Hysterical Haste crack a smile? Or will he bring down one of The Mighty?

Shane has his orange top hat, and Yano has some sort of bag on his head as if it were a hat. The bell rings and the fans rally up for Yano. Yano offers a trade? Shane’s top hat for the bag hat? Shane says okay, but don’t throw this away. Naito got him with that last time. Fans applaud as they trust Yano. Shane and Yano trade, and fans cheer. Shane puts on the bag hat, then Yano DOES throw the hat away! And he yanks the bag down to blindfold Shane! Roll-up, TWO!! Yano goes for a buckle pad! Yano unties that while Shane takes off the bag. Shane puts the bag on Yano! Roll-up, TWO!! Yano staggers around, gets the bag off, but Shane kicks low!

Shane throws hands, then runs, but Yano atomic drops! And then trips Shane, to CATAPULT him! Shane stops from hitting the buckles! Fans cheer, but Yano runs in! Only to get buckles! Fireman’s carry, but Yano slips off to SLAP Shane! Yano runs, into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up as Shane flexes. Yano bails out, and curses in frustration. Shane dares Yano to come back and fans rally up. Yano waits, Shane slides out and Yano slides in! Now Shane curses in frustration. Yano waits on Shane, fans rally up, and Shane vents about losing another hat. Shane slides in, but Yano bails out! Fans cheer and Yano sneaks something from his corner.

Yano goes around the way, Shane rushes out, but he shields himself from the disinfectant! He saw Cobb fall for that! Shane snatches the spray, and Yano apologizes! Shane storms up on Yano, the ref tells everyone to hold on. Yano gets under the ring! Shane and Kosei coordinate, they can outsmart Yano together. Kosei goes under to find Yano, and then Shane waits to see what happens. We hear something going on, Shane hurries in after them both! The ref looks all around, but they haven’t resurfaced yet. Something wild is happening under the ring, and a ring count starts. The count passes 5 of 20 but still nothing.

Wait, Yano spits out the side! He’s fine, so what happened to Shane and Kosei? They come out the way they came, with a blindfold bag, and a BUCKET! The bucket has been taped around Shane’s head!! We’re at 15 of 20 and Shane feels around blindly! Kosei coaches him, we’re at 18! Shane rolls in at 19! But Yano SMACKS the bucket! And SMACKS it again! Shane staggers around, Yano plays a mocking Marco Polo and Shane swings wildly. We hit five minutes, and Yano kicks Shane! But Shane grabs hold of Yano to fire UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! Fans fire up, but then Yano shoves the ref at Shane!

Shane scoops the ref, but Kosei shouts that’s not Yano! Shane puts the ref down, Yano rushes up, but Shane blocks the low blow?! Oh, of course, the bucket still lets Shane see what’s below him! Shane wags his finger, and LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Shane powers up, even with the bucket on his head! Shane powers up to RIP the tape, and he gets the bucket off his head!! Fans cheer, but then Yano shoves Shane into the ref! The bucket ends up on the ref’s head, and Yano LOW BLOWS Shane!! Yano then TACKLES Shane, rolls him up, and wins!!

Winner: Toru Yano, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Shane earns 0)

Now that was hysterical! Yano pulls one over on Shane and the ref, and he brings Shane down out of the running! Will Yano finish strong and spoil one more run in the final round?

G1 Climax 33, C Block: HENARE VS Tomohiro Ishii!

Well, neither the Face of Fury nor the Stone Pitbull will be moving on to the quarterfinals. But in the end, this is them fighting for pride! Will Henare go on another Rampage? Or will Ishii be unbreakable when he has nothing to lose?

The bell rings and the two rush right in! They RAM shoulders, and again, and again! Ishii runs, RAMS Henare, but Henare rebounds to RAM Ishii! Ishii rebounds, they RAM shoulders, and Ishii staggers! Henare runs to RAM Ishii, but Ishii roars! Ishii ROCKS Henare with a forearm, but Henare roars back! Ishii ducks the roundhouse, Henare blocks the clothesline! Ishii blocks a kick but Henare ducks the enziguri! But Ishii avoids the Penalty Kick! Fans fire up as the two stare down! Ishii shoves Henare, Henare shoves Ishii, and then Henare kicks and CLUBS away! Henare HEADBUTTS, runs, and RAMS Ishii! Ishii rebounds, but Henare runs him over!

Fans fire up as Henare paces around. Henare sits Ishii up to KICK him in the back, but Ishii’s right up! Ishii fires forearms on Henare, but Henare CLUBS him! And fires a forearm! Then snapmares to KICK and SENTON! Fans rally up as Henare paces around Ishii. Henare drags Ishii up, to KICK him to ropes! Fans rally and Ishii stands back up. Ishii storms up to fire forearms on Henare! Henare ROCKS Ishii back! And KICKS him again! Ishii goes to a corner now, and drops down to the mat! Henare growls and paces while fans rally up again. Ishii sits up and Henare KICKS him down! Fans rally and Henare eggs Ishii on!

Ishii rises, and Henare KICKS! Ishii doesn’t budge! Henare KICKS but Ishii blocks! Ishii CLUBS the leg then KNEE JAMMERS, then he dropkicks the leg out! Fans fire up as Ishii stands up again. Ishii then whips Henare to a corner, runs in and clotheslines! Ishii whips corner to corner but Henare reverses. Ishii comes back to run Henare over! Fans fire up and Ishii drags Henare up. Ishii suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer and Ishii keeps his cool. Ishii sits Henare up to KICK him in the back! Ishii HEADBUTTS right where the shoulder’s taped! Ishii KICKS Henare in the back, and Henare pounds the mat!

Henare throws off the tape but Ishii fires forearms! Henare swings, Ishii dodges, but Henare blocks a kick to step over WHEEL KICK! Fans rally up, Henare storms over and Ishii rises. Henare fires body shots and he backs Ishii down to a corner! Henare fires off more shots and fans fire! We hit five minutes, Henare whips corner to corner to clothesline! Henare then whips to ropes, and scoops Ishii for the BERZERKER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Ishii is still in this and the fans rally up again. Henare rises, and he watches Ishii sit up. Henare runs to PENALTY KCIK, but Ishii just tanks it! Ishii stands, and Henare fires forearms! Ishii DECKS Henare with just one!!

Fans fire up and the ref checks Henare. Ishii paces, and Henare is still conscious so Ishii drags him up. Ishii fires boxing elbows, but Henare BODY BLOWS! Fans fire up and Henare drags Ishii up to half nelson! Ishii fights the full nelson and elbows free! Henare goes to a corner, Ishii runs in but into an ELBOW! Henare goes up, FLYING CHUCK! But Ishii rises!? LARIAT! Henare tanks it! Henare swings, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Henare rises!? Henare runs in, but Ishii LARATS him down! Cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous as Henare survives, and they rally up while both men are down!

Ishii crawls over to Henare, sits him up, and then runs. But Henare ducks the sliding lariat! Ishii avoid the Penalty Kick! But Henare SPINEBUSTERS! Both men are down again and fans rally back up. Henare snarls, he aims from a corner, and he runs in, but Ishii fights the Rampage! Henare BACK ELBOWS! Henare runs, but Ishii SWATS the lariat to ENZIGURI! Both men are down again! Fans fire up with Ishii as he pushes up off the mat. Ishii roars and slaps some sense into himself. Ishii runs, to LARIAT Henare inside-out!! Cover, TWO!! Henare survives again but Ishii won’t give up! Ishii roars and fans fire up again!

Ishii drags Henare up, but Henare SLAPS! Ishii SLAPS! And SLAPS! Henare ducks, SLAPS, both men SLAP! ELBOW JAB from Henare! Ishii ducks the heel kick to headbutt low, headbutt high, but then Henare JUMP KNEES! We hit 10 minutes and Henare goes to the corner! Fans fire up as Henare takes aim! Ishii rises, Henare runs in, RAMPAGE!! Cover, TWO!?! Henare is shocked and the fans are thunderous that Ishii survives! Henare stands, he brings Ishii up, and he half nelsons! Ishii again fights the full nelson, but Henare powers it through! ULTIMA NELSON!! Ishii endures but Henare thrashes him around!

Ishii is fading, and Henare spins him, URENAGE!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Ishii survives again and fans are thunderous! Henare snarls and brings down his kneepad. Ishii goes to a corner, Henare runs in, SHINING WIZARD! Henare snapmares Ishii to run and PENALTY KICK! Fans fire up with Henare as he drags Ishii back up! Henare fisherman’s to the torture rack, but Ishii fights free! Wrench and HEADBUTT!! Both men are down and Henare is dazed! Ishii crawls to ropes and fans rally up again. Ishii drags himself up with the ropes, runs in, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Ishii roars again and fans fire back up!

Ishii drags Henare up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Henare knees free! Henare swings, but Ishii spins him, only for Henare to fight the suplex! Henare wrenches, dodges a haymaker, and hits a JUMP KNEE! Ishii staggers into the HAYMAKER, HEEL KICK and HEADBUTT!! Henare roars, fisherman’s, STREETS OF RAGE!!! Cover, Henare wins!!

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

The Face of Fury breaks through the Stone Pitbull and sends Ishii to the bottom of the block! Will Henare be able to finish just as strong in the seventh round?

G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hirooki Goto VS Jeff Cobb!

The Fierce Warrior may have lost to The Ace last round, but there’s still a chance he can bring down the Imperial Unit? Or will there be a Tour of the Island in Goto’s future?

The bell rings and Cobb taunts Goto about the rib tape. The two circle, fans rally up, Cobb points out the fans cheering him on. They tie up, Goto headlocks, but Cobb powers up. Goto grinds the headlock, Cobb powers out, and they RAM shoulders! Cobb doesn’t budge and fans cheer. Goto runs, RAMS Cobb, but still Cobb doesn’t budge! Fans rally up and Cobb eggs Goto on. Goto goes again, goes to turn hip toss into hip toss but Cobb blocks! Goto dodges Cobb’s haymaker and runs but Cobb runs him over! Fans cheer as Cobb then drags Goto up and ROCKS him with a right. Goto goes to a corner, Cobb whips him corner to corner, but Goto reverses.

Goto runs in but blocks a boot, to put that leg on the ropes and KICK the leg! Cobb flops out of the ring, Goto goes out to CLUB Cobb and put him back in. Fans cheer as Goto stalks Cobb. Cobb hobbles up but Goto kicks him, and puts the leg on ropes again. Goto stomps away, the ref counts, and Goto lets off at 4. Goto then pulls the leg! The ref counts, Goto lets off, and he stomps Cobb again. Goto whips corner to corner, Cobb reverses and puts Goto in the corner to FLYING BACK ELBOW! Cobb keeps moving, “JOHN CENA!” FLYING SHOULDER! Fans fire up while Goto flops out of the ring.

Cobb goes out to fetch Goto and bring him up. Cobb whips Goto into railing! Goto goes down in a heap and the ref checks him. Goto is okay to continue, and Cobb walks off the pain in the bad leg. Cobb steps on Goto! And he pretends he didn’t see Goto there! Cobb “apologizes” and then stomps Goto! The ring count starts, Cobb puts Goto in at 5 of 20, and fans cheer. Cobb takes a bow, steps inside, and lounges for the cover. TWO, and Cobb is annoyed. Cobb sits Goto up to KNEE him in the back again and again, and then UPPERCUT him in the back! Cover, TWO! Goto is hanging tough and fans rally up.

We pass five minutes and Cobb brings Goto up. Goto CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Cobb throat chops! Cobb whips, Goto reverses, and Goto runs in to MURA- NO! Cobb catches Goto to RUNNING POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Cobb drags him back up. Fans rally as Cobb stomps away. Cobb then sets up, GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT FLOPS as Goto moves! Fans rally again as Goto and Cobb rise. Goto drags Cobb up but Cobb CHOPS! Cobb runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! Fans fire up and Goto brings Cobb up again for forearms! Goto whips Cobb to a corner, runs in, MURAMASA hits!

Goto then SAIDOS!! Cover, TWO! Cobb survives and fans rally up. Goto roars, he drags Cobb up, and he goes to fireman’s carry. Cobb is too big, and he throws down elbows! But Goto fires a forearm! Cobb ROCKS Goto back! Goto ROCKS Cobb, and the forearms start flying! Fans fire up as they go back and forth, and then Goto gets the edge! Goto ROCKS Cobb to the corner! Goto headlocks, but Cobb stops the bulldog to ATHLETIC- NO, Goto slips around to a SLEEPER! Cobb endures but Goto squeezes tight! Cobb reaches out, but Goto sits him down! Fans rally, Cobb is turning red, and Goto lets go! But Cobb blocks the Penalty Kick!

Cobb stands, and he DROPKICKS Goto down! Fans fire up and Cobb pounds the mat. Cobb storms over, drags Goto up, and he reels Goto in for the ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives those consecutive impacts and Cobb can’t believe it! Fans rally up, Cobb rises and he drags Goto up. Cobb whips Goto to ropes, but Goto holds ropes to stop himself! Goto BOOTS back, then fireman’s carries!? USHIGORO- NO, Cobb manages to land out! SUPERKICK!! Cobb runs, but Goto follows! Cobb dodges, follows, but Goto dodges! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI hits!!

We pass 10 minutes and fans fire up! Goto roars and he brings Cobb back up! Goto dragon sleepers, but Cobb spins it around! Cobb suplexes, Goto slips off and has the SLEEPER! But Cobb pries the hold open! Cobb ROCKS Goto, then YANKS Goto into the TOUR- NO, Goto slips free to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT again! And hop on!? CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!??! Cobb survives but fans are thunderous! Goto powers up and rips away the rib tape!! Goto dragon sleepers, to G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!!

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

Another shocker! Goto brings down Cobb, the top of the block! Goto is still just on the outside with his 3-3 record, but did he just ruin things for the Imperial Unit?

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

The Mad King and the Good Bad Guy are still within reach of those top spots in the block, but time is running out! Will a Backfist to the Future keep Eddie’s G1 future alive? Or will Tama keep his promise to be the very best Tama he can be?

The bell rings and fans rally up as the two circle. They feel things out, Eddie shoots in but Tama avoids the takedown. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and are in a deadlock as they go around at center. Eddie powers Tama back but Tama turns it around, and they end up in a corner. The ref counts the break, Eddie lets off and Tama does slowly. The fans applaud as the two reset. They circle and tie up again. Eddie headlocks, Tama powers up, but Eddie holds on tight. Tama tries again, but still Eddie holds on! Eddie grinds the hold but Tama throws body shots. Tama powers up and out, but Eddie CHOPS him!

Fans cheer as Tama stays up. And he takes off the vest! Things are getting serious already! Eddie CHOPS, but Tama just nods. Eddie CHOPS again, but Tama tells him to keep going. Eddie CHOPS, but Tama JUMP FOREARMS! Eddie falls, and Tama drops an elbow! Eddie sputters, but Tama sits him up to CLUB away on his chest! Tama then ELBOWS Eddie in the head, and Eddie goes to ropes. Tama storms up but Eddie throws body shots. Tama throws hands, then stomps Eddie against the ropes! The ref counts, Tama lets off, and Tama drags Eddie up. Tama fires body shots, whips, but Eddie reverses to kitchen sink knee!

Eddie underhooks the arms to BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Fans fire up and Eddie stomps Tama around. Eddie checks his nose, no blood, so he stomps Tama again. Eddie then snapmares Tama, to DOUBLE STOMP! Fans rally and Tama rolls away. Eddie storms over to cover, TWO! Eddie keeps on Tama with a rear bearhug! Tama endures, fights up, but Eddie squeezes tight! Fans rally, Jado coaches Tama, and Tama stands to throw elbows. Eddie just shifts to a half nelson! Tama throws more elbows, Edide lets off and runs, but into Tama’s scoop and SLAM! Both men are down and we pass five minutes.

Fans rally, Eddie goes to a corner, and Tama runs in to BACK ELBOW! And then he throws another elbow! Tama whips Eddie back in to BACK ELBOW again! Fans rally, Tama whips but Eddie reverses, only for Tama to come back and LARIAT! Eddie staggers up, goes to the corner, and Tama STINGER SPLASHES! Eddie flops down and fans rally up! Tama drags Eddie up, and he fires off forearms! But Eddie CHOPS back! Tama fires off body shots! Tama whips corner to corner, runs in, but the splash hits buckles! Eddie storms up to MACHINE GUN CHOP! Eddie then goes up and FLYING SHOULDERS!

Fans fire up and Eddie stretches out his back as he stands. Eddie CHOPS Tama, half nelsons, but Tama fights the lift! Tama throws elbows but Eddie throws RIDGE HAND after RIDGE HAND! Tama goes to a corner, Eddie runs in but into a BOOT! Tama goes up, FLYING NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up and Tama hurries to fireman’s carry! S R C! And then Tama goes up top, to SUPREME FLOP!! Eddie runs in to SLIDING D! Cover, TWO!! Tama is still in this and the fans rally up. Eddie sits Tama up to throw a forearm! Tama falls over, but Eddie sits him up to throw another forearm! Eddie headbutts, but that hurts Eddie more than it does Tama.

Tama throws a forearm, Eddie throws another headbutt! Tama throws another forearm, so Eddie CHOPS! They stand, and Eddie CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! And again! And again, and again! Tama staggers, Eddie winds up and runs, but Tama ducks the lariat to EXPLODER! Eddie gets up to give Tama an EXPLODER! Tama clinches, Eddie fires off elbows! SAIDO!! Fans fire up and Eddie aims as we hit 10 minutes! Tama stands, and he blocks the backfist! TONGAN TWIST!! Cover, TWO!! Eddie survives and fans rally back up! Tama roars and he brings Eddie up to reel him in! But Eddie wrenches out, HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEX!

Eddie roars, Tama stands, URAKEN!! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives and fans are thunderous! Eddie drags Tama up again, scoops, but Tama fights the Northern Lights Bomb! Eddie ENZIGURIS, Tama JUMP FOREARMS! GUN- NO, Eddie powers out to URAKEN!! And then NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!!! Cover, EDDIE WINS!

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

The Mad King is showing how NJPW Strong he is as he takes down one of the top runners in the block! Will Eddie shake things up and be a quarterfinalist? Is the Good Bad Guy’s best just not good enough?

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

The Uncontrollable Charisma and the Front Man are no strangers to each other. ZSJ once injured Naito and took him completely out of the G1, but then Naito snatched a blink-of-an-eye victory on ZSJ in the New Japan Cup. Which way will this rivalry split tonight?

ZSJ knows to be patient with Naito’s routine of taking time with the entrance attire. But given that, Naito decides to take longer. Naito even throws the shirt to ZSJ. ZSJ offers it to Jushin Thunder Liger. Naito then gives ZSJ the belt? ZSJ puts that on, but it doesn’t quite fit so he hands that to Kosei. Naito finally throws the pants but ZSJ kicks those away. The bell rings and fans rally for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” Red Shoes is pretty sure it’s almost all for Naito. ZSJ shrugs that off and circles with Naito. The two tie up, and are in a deadlock. ZSJ uses his height for leverage and puts Naito on ropes. ZSJ lets off slowly, and he pats his “amigo” on the shoulders. Then pie faces him!

Naito SPITS back! ZSJ kicks, Naito blocks, CLUBS the leg and throws ZSJ out! Naito builds speed, but ZSJ trips Naito! ZSJ drags Naito out and then ZSJ builds speed?! But ZSJ fakes Naito out, and somersaults into his own version of Tranquilo! Fans fire up but Naito isn’t even bothered. Naito slowly rolls back in, and the two reset. They circle, and Naito calls for knuckle locks. ZSJ is not falling for that old trick of the taunting hands. Naito keeps offering, so ZSJ kicks him low! ZSJ whips, Naito reverses but ZSJ comes back! They dosido as ZSJ tries for the Cobra Twist, but Naito rolls him up! TWO!!

Naito kicks, runs, and RANAS! ZSJ flops out of the ring and fans fire up! Naito builds speed, but then he still fakes ZSJ out to properly Tranquilo! Fans cheer but ZSJ shrugs it off. ZSJ applauds Naito, then takes his time stepping back into the ring. But Naito rolls out! ZSJ hurries out after Naito but Naito kicks him and whips him into railing! And then puts him in No Man’s Land, to bring along the railing! NECKBREAKER to the railing! ZSJ writhes and Red Shoes goes out to check him. Kosei also hurries over, but ZSJ is okay to continue. Naito relaxes in the ring and the ring count starts. ZSJ sits up at 8 of 20 and crawls over at 11.

Naito goes out to bring ZSJ up! Naito CLUBS him, then turns him, NECKBREAKER to the floor! Naito then goes back into the ring while ZSJ writhes again. We pass five minutes, the ring count starts again, and fans rally up. ZSJ sits up at 10, leans against railing, and then gets in the ring at 14. Naito is on him with a cravat neck wrench! ZSJ endures, moves around, and has the ROPEBREAK! Naito thrashes but Red Shoes reprimands, so Naito lets go. Naito pie faces ZSJ around, brings him up and whips. ZSJ reverses, wrenches, and he traps the arm to TWEAK it! ZSJ then whips, but Naito reverses, only for ZSJ to turn arm-drag into ARMBAR!

Naito scrambles around, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ holds on but Red Shoes counts. ZSJ shifts to have the other arm! Red Shoes counts again, and ZSJ lets go quickly. Naito bails out but ZSJ follows him. ZSJ wraps the bad arm around railing, then BOOTS the railing to jam up the arm! Naito falls over but ZSJ looms over him. ZSJ drags Naito up, and wrenches the arm for an ELBOW BREAKER! ZSJ puts Naito in and fans cheer. The fans rally for “NA-I-TO!” as ZSJ storms over to him. ZSJ has the arm and he isolates it in a top wristlock, to STOMP it! Naito writhes as he clutches the elbow, but ZSJ stomps him around!

ZSJ stomps Naito more, then steps over to omoplata, then hammerlock, then ARM TWIST! Naito writhes more and fans rally up. ZSJ drags Naito up, wrenches the arm again and again, but Naito throws a forearm! And another! And another! But ZSJ YANKS the arm, but Naito avoids the Pele! Atomic drop, and NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Naito and ZSJ rise and Naito fires off shots! Naito whips, arm-drags, then ELBOWS ZSJ down, to basement dropkick! ZSJ flounders to a corner and fans rally up. Naito storms up, he whips corner to corner, and then runs in to JUMP KICK! And leg sweep!

COMBINACION feint, and then Naito SPITS on ZSJ! Then the dropkick, CABRON! Fans fire up as Naito poses. Naito then goes to cover, TWO! Naito puts on the PLUMA BLANCA! We hit 10 minutes, ZSJ endures as Naito puts on the pressure! Naito slaps ZSJ, spits at him, and thrashes the hold! ZSJ moves around to the ROPEBREAK! Those long legs help out here! Red Shoes reprimands, Naito claims he needs help. Red Shoes knows this tactic, starts counting, and Naito lets off on his own at 4. ZSJ goes to a corner, Naito brings him up and throws back elbow after back elbow! Naito then puts ZSJ up top and climbs, only for ZSJ to get a KIMURA!

ZSJ tortures the arm as he JAMS the fingers into Naito’s side! Then ZSJ shifts to HANGING ARMBAR!! Red Shoes reprimands and Naito endures! Red Shoes counts, ZSJ lets go at 4! Naito staggers away, ZSJ storms up and wrenches the arm, to WRING Naito out! ZSJ then catches his breath in the corner. Fans rally up and ZSJ goes back to Naito. ZSJ kicks Naito around, then drags him up. Naito ROCKS ZSJ! ZSJ comes back so Naito ROCKS him again! ZSJ eggs Naito on so Naito ROCKS ZSJ again! And again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Naito ROCKS ZSJ with forearm after forearm! ZSJ BOOTS the arm!

ZSJ whips, Naito reverses, TORNADO- NO, ZSJ wrenches to PELE the arm! But Naito still SPINEBUSTERS back! ZSJ flounders, Naito runs in, but into a BOOT! So Naito throws those HEAVY back elbows! ZSJ stands, Naito runs in, CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and fans fire up for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” ZSJ goes to a corner, Naito storms over and goes up the corner. Naito brings ZSJ up, reels him in, ESPER- NO, ZSJ rolls through to trap an arm! ZSJ wants the other but Naito resists! ZSJ powers that arm through for CLARKY CAT! Naito endures and fans fire up for him as ZSJ keeps pushing the arm!

ZSJ shifts his grip, rolls Naito around, TESCO MEAL DEAL! Naito endures again, and ZSJ stands to then shift around, back to CLARKY CAT! We hit 15 minutes and Naito scrambles around! Naito reaches out, ROPEBREAK by a foot! The fans cheer as ZSJ lets off in frustration. ZSJ drags Naito up but Naito fights the scoop! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, then full nelsons, but Naito arm-drags free! Atomic drop, takedown, jackknife roll!! TWO!! ZSJ has the sunset, TWO! Naito has the jackknife back, TWO! ZSJ has the sunset again, TWO!!! Naito escapes, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Naito roars then ENZIGURIS! But ZSJ PENALTY KICKS!

Fans are thunderous as ZSJ scoops! But Naito shifts weight, DESTINO!! Naito drags ZSJ up, wrenches, tilt-o-whirl, but ZSJ blocks to ZACK DRIVER!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous again! ZSJ stirs, as does Naito, but we hit the three minute warning! ZSJ flops his way to the corner and Naito pushes himself up off the mat. Fans are thunderous for Naito but time is running out! ZSJ sits up in the corner, he shouts at Naito, and both men rush in! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Naito down! Naito rises but ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! ZSJ runs in at he corner, Naito moves but ZSJ goes up and TORNADO DDTS!

ZSJ fires up, but Naito suplexes first! We hit the two minute warning and Naito shakes out the cobwebs. Tilt-o-whirl, but ZSJ goes for the arm! Fujiwara into a GHOST PIN! TWO!!! ZSJ hurries to uppercut but Naito backslides! ZSJ rolls through, ducks the back elbow and YANKS the arm! ZSJ roundhouses but Naito blocks! Naito kicks and reels ZSJ in, TORNADO cradle!??! NAITO WINS!!!

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

ZSJ thought he knew all of Naito’s tricks, but he just showed us a new one! And now things shift in the D Block again! Will Naito again snatch away an opportunity from ZSJ? Or can The Front Man finish strong and still move into the quarterfinals?

G1 Climax 33, C Block: Shingo Takagi VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The Rampaging Dragon and Tama Tonga had a draw last round that could have truly altered the course of this block! Will Takagi alter it again by bringing down Finlay? Or will the G1 need the Rebel?

The bell rings and fans fire up as the two stare down. They approach, fans behind “TA-KA-GI!” and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Takagi powers Finlay to ropes. Finlay turns it around, Takagi turns it back, but Finlay turns it back. Red Shoes calls the break, and Finlay lets off slowly. But Takagi avoids the cheap shot! Fans applaud as the two reset. The two circle, but Finlay rakes eyes! Finlay headlocks, Takagi powers out and RAMS shoulders with Finlay! Neither man falls, so Takagi dares Finlay to try. Finlay runs, they RAM shoulders, but neither falls! The fans fire up as the two argue over who goes next.

Takagi decides he’ll go, but Finlay pulls Takagi’s hair to reel him into a headlock! Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi already powers out. Finlay RAMS Takagi but Takagi rebounds to run Finlay over! Fans fire up and Takagi encourages them to get louder. Takagi stalks Finlay to ropes, he stomps Finlay and brings him up to knee low against the ropes. Takagi wihps and KNEES Finlay against ropes, then runs, but Finlay flops over. Gedo tells Red Shoes to check Finlay. Takagi drags Finlay up but he’s dead weight. Fans boo Gedo, tell him to go away, and Takagi tells him to leave, too. But Finlay CHOP BLOCKS Takagi!

Finlay was of course faking, and he goes out after Takagi to throw hands. Finlay RAMS Takagi through the gate! Takagi is down in No Man’s Land, and Finlay brings out a table! Gedo says he loves this but Red Shoes reprimands. Finlay finishes setting the table, then he BOOTS Takagi. Finlay brings Takagi over to SMACK him off the table! But Takagi fights the suplex! Takagi turns things around and Gedo freaks out! Finlay fires hands, and he snap suplexes Takagi to the floor! Fans boo but Finlay drags Takagi up to SMACK him off the apron! Finlay puts Takagi in, drags him around and he bends Takagi’s fingers!

Finlay JAMS Takagi’s fingers into the mat, then BITES the fingers! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Finlay lets off at 4 and argues with Red Shoes. Fans rally for Takagi but Finlay UPPERCUTS! Takagi kicks and kicks, but Finlay ROCKS him with forearms, then HEADBUTTS! Finlay digs his knee in, but lets off as Red Shoes counts. Finlay drags Takagi up to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Finlay wraps on a chinlock. Fans rally as Takagi endures and we pass five minutes. Takagi fights up, throws elbows, but Finlay throws Takagi by his hair! Gedo applauds but he’s the only one. Finlay kicks Takagi around and eggs him on.

Takagi blocks a kick to fire off forearms and JABS! JABS! JABS! But Finlay ducks the haymaker to pull hair! Takagi uses that to RAM Finlay into a corner! Finlay storms up, into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up with how fast the Takagi combo was! Finlay goes to a corner, Takagi waits on him to rise, and then he runs in. Takagi blocks the boot, and clotheslines through! Fans fire up with Takagi as he fires off forearm after forearm, and then returns those HEADBUTTS! Finlay sits down but Takagi drags him back up. Finlay pulls hair, so Takagi pulls hair! Takagi TOSSES Finlay across the ring!

Fans fire up and Takagi runs in to clothesline! And then a suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi looks to cameras, and says IT’S TIME! Fans fire up with Takagi and he watches Finlay rise. Takagi runs, Finlay dodges, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint to a DDT! And then SLIDING LARIAT! Fans fire up and Takagi stalks Finlay to the apron. Takagi drags Finlay up but Finlay holds ropes. Takagi CLUBS Finlay, fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips off to HEADBUTT! Takagi wobbles, Finlay runs in, but Takagi blocks the spear! Takagi drags Finlay to the apron, and aims for the table! But Finlay fights for dear life!

Finlay drops down, and he trips Takagi! Finlay then gets Takagi up, POWERBOMB through the table!! Fans boo but at least the table broke cleanly. Finlay soaks up the heat and he goes back for Takagi. Fans rally up for “TA-KA-GI!” but Finlay just leaves him behind. The ring count starts as Finlay flips everyone off. Fans boo but Finlay and Gedo just soak up the heat. Takagi stirs at 6 of 20, rises at 10, needing the railing’s help. But he’s still down at 15! Takagi hobbles up at 17, and lunges into the ring at 19! Finlay is upset but the fans fire up! Finlay drags Takagi up but Takagi fights the lift with elbows!

Finlay shoves Takagi, scoops him, BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Finlay hurries to sit Takagi up at 10 minutes, BLINDSIDER! Cover, TWO! Takagi is still in this and the fans are still with him! Finlay drags Takagi up, reels him in, but Takagi blocks! Finlay throws body shots, suplexes, but Takagi fights it to TWISTING NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up as both men are down! Takagi rises, grits his teeth and stands Finlay up. Finlay UPPERCUTS, then UPPERCUTS again! But Takagi blocks one to Gory Especial, NOSHIGAMI! Fans rally up and Takagi stalks Finlay to a corner.

Takagi powers up, brings Finlay up, and suplexes him to the top rope. Fans fire up but Gedo freaks out! Takagi throws headbutt after headbutt, then brings Finlay up! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both men writhe and fans are thunderous! The fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” and he rises again. They fire up with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi brings Finlay up. Pump handle, but Finlay fights the lift! Finlay swings, into a spin and suplex, but Finlay fights that to hang Takagi out to dry! Takagi flops down and sputters, but Finlay storms up. Finlay hoists Takagi up top backwards, and brings him out in the Canadian Rack! DOMINATOR!! Cover, TWO!!

Finlay is furious that Takagi survives! The fans are thunderous again as Takagi staggers up. Finlay runs, to LARIAT! Finlay paces, brings down the kneepad, and slashes his throat! Fans boo but he just flips them off. Finlay then goes back to Takagi, suplexes, but Takagi slips free! GROUD COBRA CRADLE! TWO!! Finlay hits an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Fans boo but Finlay drags Takagi up again, scoops and swings, for another IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Takagi is still in this! Finlay is frustrated and he storms back up on Takagi. Finlay vows to end this now!

But Takagi fights the lift! We hit 15 minutes as Finlay CLUBS Takagi. Finlay gets Takagi up but Takagi slips free! Finlay fires off forearms, then short arm LARIATS! Takagi drops to a knee, Finlay runs, LARIAT! But Takagi just roars! Finlay fires off a flurry, but spins into a JAB! Finlay comes back, into a HEADBUTT! Takagi swings, Finlay backslides and suplexes, but Takagi gets free! Pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Finlay survives and fans fire up as both men sit up. They give each other junkyard dog headbutts, and then stand to give more headbutts! Then the forearms start flying! Then they shift to SLAPS!

Takagi ROCKS Finlay, ROCKS him with boxing elbows, and the fans fire up with each shot! But Finlay ROCKS Takagi! And again! And again, and again, and ROLLING ELBOWS! Takagi comes back, but Finlay dodges, to SPEAR! Finlay hauls Takagi up at the three minute warning, for a POWERBOMB! Fans rally for Takagi but Finlay says he’ll go for one more. Finlay hauls Takagi up, to POWERBOMB! Gedo is loving this as Finlay throws up the Too Sweet. Finlay decides he’ll give us one more, and he drags Takagi up. INTO O- NO, Takagi slips free to SLIDING FOREARM! Fans fire up as both men are down again!

Takagi goes to a corner, Finlay flounders to the other, and we hit the two minute warning! Fans are thunderous as Takagi drags himself up with the ropes! Takagi headbutts the buckle to fire up! They both run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! But then Takagi comes back with a PUMPING BOMBER! And LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!!!

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

And with just minutes to spare, The Dragon slays The Rebel!! Finlay is still holding onto the top spot, but he’s up against The Mad King in the final round! Who will win the battle that determines it all?

As for Takagi, he gets the mic, makes sure it’s on, and he reviews his current record: 3 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, and still with a shot. “Finally… Finally, my time is here!” Fans cheer that! But Takagi admits, he was feeling the pressure yesterday. “If you lose, you go home. Yes, that. But not just that, but Naito is in his ‘hometown’ in the semi-main, underneath me! And he won, so it was all on me!” Fans cheer that, too. “If I lost here, can you imagine how hard he’d taunt me tomorrow?” Fans can understand that. But Takagi won! And right here in Hiroshima, where he once defended the KOPW Championship.

However, the fans weren’t allowed to cheer back then! “So how about it, Hiroshima? They cheer now! “HIROSHIMA!” The fans keep cheering, but Takagi says they can get louder than that! “I won today, thanks to your support. Thank you!” Fans cheer for “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!” and he says their good mood has put him in a good mood. This is his fifth G1 already, and he is only looking for the top, for the trophy! And as he mentioned, Naito keeps saying he wants a main event in the Tokyo Dome. “Oi oi oi oi! You’re not the only one! You’re damn right Shingo Takagi wants to be there!”

Fans cheer that, too, and Takagi says that reminds him. “He beat Naito, Hiromu and Yota. Oi, Sanada! You haven’t beaten me! And I don’t like you as World Heavyweight Champion!” Fans cheer that, too! Takagi says he’ll let his actions do the talking, so “like a Rampaging Dragon, I’ll be there to do something about it!” Fans cheer again as Takagi drops the mic! He’s put Naito, Sanada and the rest of the G1 hopefuls on notice, will Takagi fight his way all the way to WrestleKingdom?

Here are the NEW C Block standings!

David Finlay: 4-2, 8 points
EVIL: 4-2, 8 points
Eddie Kingston: 4-2, 8 points
Tama Tonga: 3-2-1, 7 points
Shingo Takagi: 3-2-1, 7 points
Mikey Nicholls: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Aaron Henare: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Tomohiro Ishii: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

Here are the NEW D Block standings!

Jeff Cobb: 4-2, 8 points
Tetsuya Naito: 4-2, 8 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 4-2, 8 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-3, 6 points
Hirooki Goto: 3-3, 6 points
Shane Haste: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Alex Coughlin: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Toru Yano: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

Another awesome round for the G1, and there is such great chaos, I suppose you could say, in the C and D Blocks. A Block is all about Sanada and time limit draws creating a fight for second, and then B Block is all about Okada and another fight for second. But in both C and D, we have three men with 4-2 and 8 points, but also two men just outside that with three wins and at least 6 points. This makes their seventh rounds on August 8th and 9th incredibly dramatic. Goto VS ZSJ, Tanahashi VS Naito, Cobb VS Shane are the matches that matter, though Yano is giving us his best gags to finish out.

There are scenarios in this where even though you could have FIVE 4-3 records, you could end up with it being Tanahashi and Goto as dark horse quarterfinalists. Though at the same time, Cobb could/should beat Shane, so he’ll solidify a spot for D Block. If I have this right, Goto needs Tanahashi to lose while he beats ZSJ. If ZSJ wins, he’d still need Goto to beat Naito since Naito just beat Goto. If Tanahashi wins, he already beat Goto so he’d need Goto to beat ZSJ because Tanahashi lost to ZSJ. And of course, if Naito wins, he’s just in.

I think there are similar paths in C Block, with Tama facing Henare, who is already out. Henare can definitely spoil things for Tama if he wins, but even if Tama wins, he would need Eddie and Evil to lose. Takagi needs to win against Evil, so he can kinda help Tama out at the same time. Then with Finlay VS Eddie, not only does each man need to win, but Finlay needs Tama AND Takagi to lose, while Evil needs just Finlay to lose. Honestly, I’d be pleasantly surprised if Eddie made it through to give us more dream matches with the guys from the other blocks, and I’m personally a fan of Takagi so it’d be cool if he got in.

While Finlay is building up his strength as newest Bullet Club leader, he has plenty he can do outside of the G1, such as defending the NEVER Openweight Championship and fending off the enemies of Bullet Club, like ELP & The Guerillas of Destiny. Still waiting on a Bullet Club Civil War of some kind, but that may never happen.

My Score: 8.9/10