Who will be in the quarterfinals for this block?

Kazuchika Okada is advancing no matter what, but the question is: will he be the one seed or two seed for B Block in these G1 Climax quarterfinals? And then, who joins him as the other quarterfinalist?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• SANADA & DOUKI VS Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa; Sanada & Douki win.
• Tomohiro Ishii & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Mikey Nicholls & Kosei Fujita; Ishii & Tanahashi win.
• Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Tama Tonga VS Jeff Cobb & HENARE; Cobb & Henare win.
• Eddie Kingston & Togi Makabe VS David Finlay & Chase Owens; Finlay & Chase win.
• 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The House of Torture; LIJ wins.
• G1 Climax 33, B Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS KENTA; Kenta wins.
• G1 Climax 33, B Block: Taichi VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins.
• G1 Climax 33, B Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Tanga Loa; Okada wins.
• G1 Climax 33, B Block: Will Ospreay VS El Phantasmo; Ospreay wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current B Block standings.

Kazuchika Okada: 5-1, 10 points [QUALIFIED]
Will Ospreay: 4-2, 8 points
El Phantasmo: 3-3, 6 points
Taichi: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Tanga Loa: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Kenta: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
YOSHI-HASHI: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Great-O-Khan: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

G1 Climax 33, B Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS KENTA!

Sadly for the Head Hunter and Fang Revived, they have no shot at the G1 quarterfinals. But that doesn’t matter when pride is on the line! Will Hashi refuse to #GoToSleep? Or will Kenta make sure Hashi can’t #GetBackUp?

The bell rings and fans rally up already. Kenta is almost surprised fans are cheering him on. And now he wants them to get louder! But Hashi gets his fans going louder instead! Kenta says, “Here we go~!” and the fans cheer. Hashi flexes and shouts and the fans cheer more! Kenta has Hashi try his side of the crowd. Hashi goes over there and flexes, but then Kenta cheap shots from behind! Fans boo as Kenta stomps Hashi at the ropes. The ref counts, Kenta lets off at 4 and blames the fans. Kenta drags Hashi up, throws hands, then whips Hashi to ropes. Hashi reverses and runs Kenta over! Fans fire up while Kenta bails out.

Hashi builds speed, slides, but Kenta avoids the dropkick! Kenta then RAMS Hashi into the railing! Kenta then whips Hashi into more railing! Hashi goes down in a heap and fans rally up. Kenta storms up on Hashi, tells the fans to cheer him, and then drags Hashi up again. Kenta whips Hashi into even more railing! Hashi falls over again, the ref reprimands and tells Kenta to get this in the ring. Kenta KICKS Hashi in the back instead! And again! And again! The ref reprimands, the fans rally and Kenta puts Hashi in the ring. Kenta stomps Hashi around, drops a knee on Hashi’s head, and fans rally up. Cover, TWO!

Kenta clamps on with a chinlock! Fans rally as Kenta smothers Hashi! The ref reprimands, Kenta then changes to a head vice! Hashi endures the squeeze, Kenta lets off, and then he KICKS Hashi in the back! Fans rally again as Kenta kicks Hashi around. Hashi stands, Kenta kicks him again, then eggs him on. Hashi swings but Kenta gets around to spin Hashi and DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Kenta wraps Hashi in the chinlock. Kenta smothers Hashi again, then goes back to the chinlock. Hashi endures, the fans rally up, and Hashi fights up. Hashi throws body shots but Kenta throws him down by his hair!

The ref reprimands but Kenta drags Hashi up. Kenta KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Hashi into the corner! Hashi falls over, and Kenta stands on him! The ref counts, Kenta steps off at 4. Kenta drags Hashi up at the five minute mark and Hashi fires forearms! Kenta knees low, whips Hashi to ropes, but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! Fans fire up while both men are down. Kenta crawls to a corner, Hashi rises and goes to the opposite. Hashi runs in corner to corner, to CHOP! Fans fire up and Hashi whips Kenta to CHOP! And mule kick! And runs to BLOCKBUSTER! Fans fire up with Hashi as he hits The Head Hunter!

Hashi runs in at the ropes to CHOP Kenta again! And then Hashi hangs Kenta out to dry! Hashi runs to DROPKICK Kenta down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up behind Hashi as he looms over Kenta. Hashi drags Kenta up, reels him in, but Kenta fights the lift! Kenta RAMS Hashi into a corner, almost getting the ref! Hashi comes back but Kenta dodges, to shove Hashi into another corner! Roll-up, TWO! Hashi runs in, Kenta sends him right into the ref! And then kicks low to DDT! Kenta then takes advantage of the ref being down to go get a kendo stick! Fans boo as Kenta gets in the ring, but he acts like he doesn’t get why they’re upset.

Kenta SMACKS Hashi on the back! Fans boo but Kenta just smirks. Kenta SMACKS Hashi again! And again! And again! Hashi writhes but Kenta SMACKS him yet again! Fans boo but Kenta dares Hashi to get back up. But wait, Kenta then sees Hashi’s bo staff! Kenta brings the staff in, gives it a kiss, then runs in, but Hashi dodges! The staff hits ropes and then hits Kenta in the head! Fans fire up while both men are down! Kenta rolls away to the corner, Hashi gets the staff out of the ring. The ref also stirs, and Hashi aims from the corner. Hashi roars and runs in to clothesline! And then he brings Kenta around, to POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!!

Kenta is still in this but fans fire up behind Hashi! Hashi drags Kenta up as we pass 10 minutes, but Kenta fights the suplex! Kenta fires a forearm, Hashi fires back! Fans rally as the two go back and forth, forearm for forearm! Then Hashi CHOPS! And ROCKS, and CHOPS! But Kenta CROSS COUNTERS! Kenta fires off right cross palm strikes, blocks a superkick, and then ROCKS Hashi again! Kenta runs to BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up but Kenta drags Hashi right up to a fireman’s carry! But Hashi slips free, to get a SLEEPER! Kenta snapmares free, blocks a lariat and URAKENS! And URAKENS! And ROLLING- SUPERKICK!

Fans fire up with Hashi as he reels Kenta in! KUMAGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Kenta survives again but Hashi fires up! Fans are with him again as he drags Kenta up. Full nelson, pump handle, KAR- NO, Kenta shoves Hashi at the ref again! LOW- NO!! Hashi blocks the low blow and the ref reprimands! Kenta tells him to shut up, but storms into the HIDDEN GAP! Hashi runs and LARIATS! Fans are thunderous, Hashi full nelsons to pump handle, KAR- NO!! Kenta snatches a cradle! AND WINS!!

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

The Head Hunter didn’t Go To Sleep, but he still got beat! Will this mean Bullet Club gets their shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships?

G1 Climax 33, B Block: Taichi VS Great-O-Khan!

Well, it would seem the Holy Emperor and the Dominator are also completely out of the running, because of their losses to Okada. But as with Hashi and Kenta, this is about pride as fighters, and as champions! Will the KOPW Champion or the Rev-Pro British Heavyweight Champion finish with a golden ticket?

The bell rings and fans rally up as the two slowly approach. Khan goes for a leg but Taichi stays back. Fans chant “Let’s Go, Taichi!” “Let’s Go, Khan!” Taichi’s side is stronger as he again avoids Khan going for legs. The two approach, Khan keeps changing levels, but Taichi goes to the corner. Khan eggs Taichi on and fans rally up. The two approach, and Taichi dares Khan to take a shot. So Khan TACKLES him! Khan gets a headlock, smothers Taichi a second, then flips him over to waistlock and roll to a bridging cover. ONE, and Taichi has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and Khan lets off. Taichi bails out while fans cheer.

Taichi goes around the outside while Khan stands patiently, arms behind his back. Taichi paces, Khan drop steps and stretches to keep limber. Taichi slowly steps in, the two circle, and they feel things out. Khan wants a leg, Taichi wants to kick, but both are wary of the other. Taichi kicks but gets caught! Khan waistlocks, keeps Taichi from ropes, but Taichi breaks free to ENZIGURI! Khan staggers, that kick got him in the back! Taichi gives Khan Kawada Kicks, then pushes him. Khan claps to throw Taichi off, and then he picks Taichi up! Khan DUMPS Taichi up and over the top rope! Fans fire up as Khan goes out after Taichi.

Khan clinches, picks Taichi up, and RAMS him into railing! Taichi grimaces but Khan brings him around. But then Khan just RAMS him into more railing! The ref reprimands and English commentary wants Khan to be careful. Khan drags Taichi up, picks him up, and RAMS him into the apron! Taichi falls, clutching his back! Khan tells Taichi he can go ahead and get in the ring. Taichi is still down, so Khan drags Taichi over to railing. Khan then goes up and over to pull Taichi’s arm through, and then pulls on the fingers and twists the wrist! The ref reprimands, Khan thrashes the railing to mess with the arm!

The ref counts, Khan lets off at 4, and Taichi scrambles away. Fans rally up as Khan takes his time returning from No Man’s Land. The ring count starts, Khan drags Taichi up and brings him around. Khan wrenches and CLUBS the arm, and then puts Taichi in at 10 of 20. Fans cheer and Khan hurries after Taichi. We pass five minutes as Khan clamps on a top wristlock, and then makes it a HEAD ‘N’ ARM TRIANGLE! Taichi endures, kicks around, but Khan squeezes tight! Taichi still moves over, but Khan kneels on Taichi. Taichi’s foot still gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer and Khan lets off quickly.

Taichi stands up against the ropes, Khan pushes him but Taichi kicks back. Khan kicks low, wrenches an arm, then hits a fireman’s carry takeover. Fans cheer the traditional wrestling style, and Khan stomps around. Fans clap along, Khan runs in, but into an ENZIGURI! Fans fire up while both men are down! Taichi stands up and storms over to Khan, to KICK him in the side! Khan sits up, and Taichi KICKS him in the back! Khan grabs at a leg, Taichi sits him up, and Taichi KICKS him back down! Then OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi slaps Khan with them and eggs him on! Khan gets up and clinches!

Taichi fights, wrenches, wrangles Khan, then hammerlocks and GUILLOTINES! Shoutout to the Russian Wolf! Khan endures and Taichi drags him down into body scissors! Khan fights this sambo hold and moves around, to the ROPEBREAK! Taichi lets go and fans cheer, and then Khan coughs and sputters for air. Taichi drags Khan back up, but Khan shoots in to waistlock! Taichi wrenches free, REVERSE ARMBAR! And back to body scissors! Khan endures, fights the scissors, grabs around, but Taichi pulls on the arm! Khan kicks around, but Taichi keeps him from ropes! Wrench, step-over and an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!

Fans fire up as Khan endures and fights around! Khan fights up, but Taichi wrangles him back down! Khan kicks and kicks and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Taichi lets go and fans cheer again. Taichi’s busting out moves no one knew he knew, and we pass 10 minutes. Taichi eggs Khan on, and then KICKS the bad arm! And KICKS it again! Taichi kicks but Khan blocks to sweep the leg, roll Taichi, and clinch for a BIG BELLY2BELLY! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Khan drags Taichi up, picks him up, and RAMS him into a corner! Taichi staggers, Khan hits a SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO! HEAD ‘N’ ARM TRIANGLE!

Taichi endures as Khan leans all his weight on the hold! Fans rally, Taichi moves around, crawls his way over, and his foot gets a ROPEBREAK! Khan kneels on Taichi while he holds on until the ref counts. Khan looms over Taichi, drags him up, and gut wrenches, but Taichi hooks a leg! CALF KILLER, transitioned into a FIGURE FOUR KNEELOCK! Fans fire up as Khan endures, but Taichi shifts his grip on the toehold! Taichi keeps Khan’s legs tied up and fans rally! Khan fights, reaches out, but Taichi pulls as hard as he can on the legs! Khan fights with an arm, to the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer again as Taichi lets off.

Taichi pounds the mat and fans rally up. Taichi roars, builds his energy and aims at Khan from the corner. Khan flounders on one good leg, into the LEG SCISSOR TAKEDOWN, into a CROSS HEEL HOOK!! Khan flails pounds the mat but he isn’t giving up! Khan sits up, he grabs at Taichi’s legs, and he has a HEEL HOOK now! Taichi pushes on the Cross Heel! Khan keeps his shoulders up as he pulls on Taichi’s legs! They duel over Heel Hooks but neither is giving up! They both crawl their way over, still pull on the Heel Hooks, and Taichi grabs the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer this technical exchange as we pass 15 minutes.

The Heel Hooks are undone and both men seethe as they rise up. They go forehead to forehead, then stand. Khan throws a forearm, Taichi throws a kick! Khan gives another forearm, Taichi gives another kick! They go back and forth, Taichi gets the edge with KICK after KICK, but Khan CHOPS! Tachi SOBATS! Khan IRON FIST BODY BLOWS! Taichi spins but Khan blocks the heel kick to SLAM Taichi down! But Taichi’s right up to BOOT! Khan’s right up to BOOT! Taichi’s right up to GAMANGIRI! Khan wobbles, Taichi runs in, AX- NO, HEAD ‘N’ ARM TRIANGLE STO!! Khan thrashes and puts all his weight on this hold!

Fans rally, Taichi endures, and Khan headstands to get the maximum weight! Khan can’t keep it, though, and now we hit the three minute warning! Taichi stands, Khan SLAMS him right back down! Khan leans on the hold as Taichi endures! Fans duel, Khan pulls back on the triangle! Then leans on Taichi again! Then pulls back again! TAICHI TAPS, KHAN WINS!

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

The Holy Emperor was just conquered by the United Empire! Khan conquers the KOPW Champion, will that title be the next conquest?

G1 Climax 33, B Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Tanga Loa w/ Jado!

The Rainmaker is guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals, but like anyone, he wants to go in on top! Will Okada make it rain and solidify his spot as the number one seed? Or will the Silverback clear the skies for another to take flight?

The bell rings and fans rally up for “O-KA-DA!” as he and Loa circle. They tie up, Loa rolls Okada up, TWO! Loa reels Okada into a headlock but Okada powers out. Loa runs Okada over, then grins at him. Things speed up, Loa blocks hip toss to body shot and turn, backslide! TWO and Okada rushes in, but Loa gets around to O’Conner Roll! TWO, and fans cheer as Loa runs. Okada gets around him, ripcords, but Loa ducks the lariat! Loa UPPERCUTS and Okada bails out of the ring. Fans rally up but Loa waits on Okada. The ring count starts, then Loa goes out the side. Loa storms up but Okada kicks low, and DDTs to the floor!

Okada looms over Loa, drags him up, and whips him into railing! Loa tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Okada hurries out after him, and clears off part of English commentary’s table! Okada brings Loa over to SMACK Loa off the table! English commentary apologizes for being off mic for this, as Okada THROWS Loa into the table and it topples over! Fans boo Okada as he leaves Loa behind, and Jado coaches Okada up. Fans rally for Loa now and he staggers up and away from English commentary. Loa slowly rolls into the ring but Okada is right on him with a DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans applaud as Loa hangs tough.

Okada looms over Loa, gives him toying kicks and he eggs Loa on. Loa stands up to get in Okada’s face, but Okada fires forearms! Okada whips Loa to a corner then back elbows! Kick and- NO, Loa stops the DDT to RAM Okada into a corner! Loa fires off forearms and the fans are with him! Red Shoes reprimands, Loa lets off, but Okada fires off on Loa now! Okada runs but Loa SPEARS him down! Fans fire up for Loa and Jado coaches him up. Loa and Okada stir, and Loa grits his teeth as he rises up. Okada staggers and Loa LARIATS! And ELBOWS! Okada dodges a shot but the SOUTHPAW hits! Fans fire up and we pass five minutes!

Loa BODY BLOWS, UPPERCUTS, and repeat! Fans rally as Loa hits Okada again and again and again and again, then really fires off in the corner! Loa then tops it off with a CHOP! Loa whips Okada corner to corner, runs in and clotheslines! And then back the other way, for another clothesline! Okada staggers, Loa waistlocks and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Fans rally up again and Loa drags Okada up. Okada fights the scoop and he CLUBS Loa on the back! Loa ROCKS Okada and Okada tumbles out of the ring! Fans rally again and Loa goes out, only for Okada to kick! But Loa back drops Okada to the floor first!

Fans fire up with Loa and he runs in, to LARIAT Okada down! Fans fire up even more and Loa drags Okada up. Loa puts Okada in, fans rally, and Loa slingshot SENTONS! Loa hurries to get Okada up, for a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Okada survives but Jado coaches Loa. Fans rally, Loa stands and he brings Okada up. Loa scoops but Okada slips free, to have the arm! MONEY CLIP!! Loa endures, but Okada brings him down to a knee! Loa fights up and he RAMS Okada into a corner! Loa runs in, but Okada pops him up to the Alabama Lift! REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Loa flops out of the ring while fans fire up!

Jado coaches Loa as he crawls around the way. Fans rally, Okada hurries out after Loa, and runs in, only for Loa to throw him over railing! Okada lands on his feet but Loa ROCKS him! The ring count starts as Loa lifts Okada, and tells people to move!? Fans fire up but Okada fights free! Okada runs to SHOTGUN Loa down! The ring count is past 13 of 20 now! Okada hurries and puts Loa in at 17! Fans cheer that Okada wants this to end inside the ring! Okada looms over Loa, drags him up, and we pass 10 minutes. Okada paces around, leading Loa by the wrist, but Loa ducks the lariat! Kick, KNEE, and ENZIGURI!

Loa hurries to scoop! SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Okada survives the Scrapbuster but fans rally behind Loa! Loa drags Okada up, scoops again, but Okada slips free again! Backslide! Loa rolls through, but into a short arm LARIAT! Okada holds onto the wrist, and he drags Loa back up. For another short arm LARIAT! Okada fires up and fans fire up, too, as Okada drags Loa around. Okada brings Loa in, but Loa throws elbows to stop the ripcord! Okada uses that to DISCUS LARIAT! Loa stays up!? Okada fires forearm after forearm, but Loa just HEADBUTTS! Loa runs, but into the DROPKICK! But Loa’s right up!?

Loa roars and he fires forearm son Okada! Okada UPPERCUTS back! Okada runs, into a LOA DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Milano Collection AT is laughing from shock! Loa drags Okada up, scoops, but Okada fights free! Okada scoops to EMERALD FLOWSION! And then ripcord, RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada wins!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Loa earns 0)

The Rainmaker finishes off the Silverback, and Okada is now solidified as B Block’s top seed! Is Okada already on his way to the G1 Climax Threepeat?

G1 Climax 33, B Block: Will Ospreay VS El Phantasmo!

The Aerial Assassin is on the bubble, but so is the Headbanga! If this goes to even just a draw, Ospreay is in! Will Ospreay join Okada in the quarterfinals? Or will there be Sudden Death in the final round?

The two fist bump to show there is respect here, and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the two circle. Fans are all fired up for “E L P! E L P!” Ospreay can’t believe it! The two circle, tie up, and Ospreay headlocks. ELP fights up, pries at the hold but Ospreay holds on tight, even as ELP tries to power out. ELP rolls Ospreay, Ospreay holds on and they stand back up. ELP powers up and puts Ospreay on ropes. Red Shoes calls for the break, and both men let off slowly. ELP then forearms Ospreay! Ospreay headlocks, ELP powers out and DROPKCIKS! ELP keeps moving and he RANAS Ospreay! Ospreay goes out, ELP goes up, but Ospreay gets far, far away!

Fans cheer as ELP backflips off the corner and lands on his feet. Ospreay hears the fans all fired up for “E L P! E L P!” and ELP even lounges on the corner! Ospreay returns to the ring, the fans rally for him now, and Ospreay slides in. ELP stomps Ospreay, CLUBS him, whips him, but Ospreay holds ropes. ELP runs in but Ospreay FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS him! Then Ospreay BOOTS him out of the ring! Fans fire up and Ospreay aims, to PLANCHA! Direct hit and Ospreay even lands on his feet! Fans fire up as Ospreay paces around. Ospreay drags ELP up, CHOPS him, and then follows him around the way.

Ospreay CHOKES ELP on the railing! Then CLUBS him on the neck! ELP sputters and coughs, but Ospreay drags him up and puts him in the ring. Fans applaud as Ospreay scoops ELP, for a BIG BACKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Fans cheer and Ospreay is a bit annoyed with ELP. Ospreay ROCKS ELP and ELP staggers to a corner. ELP throws a forearm back but Ospreay shrugs it off. Ospreay uses a rather Ishii tactic as he corners ELP and just takes the forearms. ELP keeps throwing shots but Ospreay doesn’t budge. ELP PURPLE NURPLES! But Ospreay doesn’t care?! Ospreay DECKS ELP with a forearm!

Fans fire up and ELP is dazed. Ospreay eggs ELP on, drags him up, and snapmares to then cravat for a neck wrench. ELP endures, but Ospreay lets go to CLUB him in the neck! Ospreay kicks at ELP toyingly, but ELP CHOPS! Ospreay is stinging but he comes back. ELP throws a forearm but Ospreay just grits his teeth. ELP ROCKS Ospreay this time, but Ospreay cravats as we hit five minutes. ELP throws body shots, gets free, and he ROCKS Ospreay! Ospreay BOOTS ELP! Ospreay whips, ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls and DDTS! Fans fire up as Ospreay tumbles away to a corner! Ospreay sits up in a daze now as fans rally up.

ELP feeds off the energy as fans again chant, and he kips up! Ospreay storms up but into a LARIAT! And a Manhattan Drop! ELP mocks Ospreay, gets around, atomic drop again! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And then ELP goes to the corner, goes up, FALLING ELBOW! Fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. The fans clap along, ELP runs in but Ospreay dodges! Ospreay waistlocks, ELP elbows free and runs, but into the Tiger Wall Kick and ENZIGURI! Ospreay whips, ELP reverses but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER! Fans fire up again while both men are down! Ospreay crawls to a cover, TWO!

Fans rally up and Ospreay goes to the apron. Ospreay climbs a corner, ELP stands, and Ospreay BLINDSIDE CHEERIOS! ELP falls outta the ring, and Ospreay goes up the other corner! But ELP shoves him down! Ospreay hotshots off ropes, ELP goes up! ELP tightrope walks to ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit at the ramp and fans are thunderous! ELP rises and gets the fans to get louder. ELP then drags Ospreay up and into the ring, climbs the ropes, and springboard SWANTONS! To then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but ELP keeps his cool. ELP drags Ospreay up, straitjackets, but Ospreay fights the torture rack!

ELP ROCKS Ospreay with a forearm, then eggs him on. Ospreay ROCKS ELP in return, but then ELP comes back to ROCK Ospreay! Ospreay DECKS ELP this time! Ospreay eggs ELP on, drags him up, and gives him Kawada Kicks! ELP flops over and Ospreay eggs him on again. ELP rises, and BOOTS! And BOOTS! And BOOTS again! Ospreay is in the corner, ELP stomps a mudhole in! Red Shoes reprimands but Ospreay just gets in ELP’s face! Ospreay winds up to CHOP! We pass 10 minutes, ELP stands, and Ospreay CHOPS ELP on the back! ELP seethes, but Ospreay SUPERKICKS him! ELP roars, but then flops out to the apron!

Fans fire up and Ospreay grins. Ospreay goes out to join ELP, but then goes up the corner! ELP anchors Ospreay, and trips him! Ospreay hits off the buckles, then ELP POSTS Ospreay! ELP hooks the arms but Ospreay fights the lift! Ospreay fireman’s carries but ELP fights free! Ospreay SUPERKICKS, goes up, APRON OSCUTTER!! Both men fall to the floor and fans fire up again! Red Shoes checks both men, namely ELP. ELP is somehow okay to continue, as is Ospreay, and fans rally up again. A ring count starts, Ospreay sits up at 6. Ospreay stands at 11, leaves ELP behind and rolls in at 13. ELP stands at 14 but flops back over!

ELP rises again at 16, fans rally up, and ELP stands at 18! ELP hobbles and slides in at 19.5, Ospreay COAST2COASTS INTO SUDDEN DEATH!! Fans are thunderous as ELP now goes to the apron! SPRINGBOARD THUNDER KISS 86!!! But his ribs! ELP has to crawl back to the cover, TWO!!! Fans are thunderous as ELP hurries to straitjacket and torture rack! BURNING HAMMER!! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay survives again, but ELP tunes up the band! Fans fire up with ELP and he aims! Ospreay stands, but he blocks Sudden Death! Ospreay CHOPS! ELP ENZIGURIS! ELP runs, into a SPANISH FLY!!

Both men are down but the fans are thunderous again! The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” hard as ever as he and Ospreay stir. Ospreay stands and he wants ELP to get up. Ospreay aims, to HOOK KICK! ELP wobbles, Ospreay reels him in! Underhooks, Canadian Rack, but ELP slips free to get around, POISON-RANA!! Ospreay staggers around, into SUDDEN DEATH!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Fans cannot believe it but Ospreay survives! Fans are thunderous, ELP drags Ospreay to a drop zone, and we hit 15 minutes! ELP waits on Ospreay to rise, to springboard TORNADO DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay is still in this and the fans are going nuts!

ELP grits his teeth, pounds the mat in frustration, and the fans rally behind him again. ELP rises, slashes his throat, and he brings Ospreay in! But Ospreay pops him up to HAYMAKER! And HOOK KICK! And OSC- BACKSLIDE?! TWO!!! ELP ducks Hidden Blade to GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!!! ROLLING ELBOW from Ospreay!! Ospreay preapres the arm, runs in, INTO A RANA!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Ospreay escapes, ELP springboards, to steal the OSCUTTER!!! And then he reels Ospreay in, tucks the arms, C! R! 2!!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! HOW?!?! No one can believe it, let alone ELP! And we hit the three minute warning!

ELP uses his head to push Ospreay to a corner, and then drags Ospreay up. ELP puts Ospreay on the top rope, goes up to join him, but Ospreay throws body shots! Then Ospreay slips under, tucks ELP in, CHEEKY- BOOT from ELP! And then ELP goes up to FLYING- OSCUTTER!! Ospreay runs to springboard, OSCUTTER!! Cover at the two minute warning, TWO?!?!?! Fans are electric as Ospreay prepares the arm! HIDDEN BLADE!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?!?! How is ELP doing this?!?! But Ospreay just underhooks, lifts, TIGER DRIVER 98!!!! High stack, Ospreay wins!!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ELP earns 0)

With just under two minutes to spare, the Aerial Assassin ends ELP’s run in the G1! As hard as he fought here, will it still take an even harder fight next year?

Ospreay shows ELP respect by helping him sit up and patting him on the good shoulder. Fans cheer this, and then Ospreay gets his IWGP US Championship and the mic. Ospreay says good evening in Japanese, and then asks Osaka, “El Phantasmo’s an awesome pro-wrestler, right?” Fans cheer that and chant for “E L P! E L P!” Ospreay tells ELP that he has some new friends here. “And hey, many times, we have done this dance. Many times, we have done the tango, El Phantasmo. But I wanna say one thing to you: You’re swimming in a pool with a Great White Shark. And although you may be battered and bruised today, Osaka wants you to keep fighting for them!”

Fans cheer that, and Ospreay says, “May we meet again, El Phantasmo, arigato gozaimashita.” Fans rally and cheer Ospreay, and Ospreay says he’s Osaka’s favorite, though. But he has a question, in Japanese: “Who is the best wrestler in the world?!” They chant “OSPREAY! OSPREAY!” Ospreay says this battle has been effing hard. He is tired, battered, but he will continue to fight for a new NJPW! “We’re in a new era, and now begins the real test. Because Osaka, please, everybody come with me to Ryogoku, cuz I AM GONNA WIN THE G1 CLIMAX!!” Fans like the sound of that!

“Because my name is Will Ospreay, and I am ON! ANOTHER! LEVEL! Arigato gozaimashita!!” The Commonwealth Kingpin swings the mic and then throws up the crown. Will he be raising the G1 trophy along with the IWGP US Championship in the end?

Here are the FINAL B Block standings!

Kazuchika Okada: 6-1, 12 points [QUALIFIED, B1]
Will Ospreay: 5-2, 10 points [QUALIFIED, B2]
El Phantasmo: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Tanga Loa: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Kenta: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Great-O-Khan: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Taichi: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
YOSHI-HASHI: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

Another awesome, awesome night for NJPW and the G1. Great showing even in the matches of eliminated competitors. Kenta does do some sneaky things as always, but he still got a clean finish with that cradle counter. There’s a lot of potential for Bullet Club to again fight for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles since Gabe Kidd & Alex Coughlin only won the NJPW Strong Openweight titles off Bishamon. Not sure who Kenta would team with but that’d be some fun stuff for at least a match. And Khan VS Taichi was some great stuff, surprisingly technical with Taichi showing off his sambo skills. But Khan getting the win is a great move, too, I would love for him and Taichi to have a KOPW Championship feud that plays on the various martial arts they both know.

Okada VS Loa was also basically a formality, Okada wasn’t going to be eliminated by any means. But Loa looked great against one of the best, it feels like all the Guerrillas of Destiny are going to be building up over the next year or so, what with Hikuleo getting into the quarterfinals and Tama still in the running. C Block is Tuesday, maybe he makes it through Henare. But all the drama of B Block was saved for the main event, which just blew the roof off the place. Both guys are great, both guys have plenty of fans in Japan, and it was great that they pushed it to the last 90 seconds or so. But Ospreay winning out makes sense, he and Okada are going to keep their own rivalry going into the quarterfinals. And Ospreay acknowledging ELP’s ability is a great sign that ELP is gonna get big things in his singles career.

My Score: 8.9/10