The Road to the G1 has begun!

NJPW is heating up the G1 Climax already by bringing us a Qualifier Series! Whose New Japan Soul will burn bright through the Summer?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
• Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira VS Katsuya Murashima & Shoma Kato; Khan & Akira win.
• Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Tomohiro Ishii, Satoshi Kojima & Tomoaki Honma; The United Empire wins.
• 10 Man Tag: Just5Guys VS Hirooki Goto, El Desperado, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg; Goto, Desperado, Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg win.
• G1 Climax 34 A Block Qualifier First Round: Callum Newman VS Yujiro Takahashi; Callum wins and advances to New Japan Soul in Korakuen Hall.
• G1 Climax 34 A Block Qualifier First Round: YOSHI-HASHI VS Chase Owens; Hashi wins and advances to New Japan Soul in Korakuen Hall.
• 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The House of Torture; LIJ wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

G1 Climax 34 A Block Qualifier First Round: Callum Newman VS Yujiro Takahashi!

The United Empire has been on a roll tonight, but while those were tag matches, The Prince of Pace has to do this on his own! Can Callum conquer the Tokyo Pimp? Or will he have to watch out for the usual tricks?

The bell rings and the two run in! Yujiro BOOTS Callum down, stomps him around, and Callum goes to ropes. Yujiro ROCKS Callum with a forearm, then stalks him to a corner. Yujiro stomps Callum again, CLUBS him, then brings him out to knee low. Yujiro CLUBS Callum again, whips corner to corner, but Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and keeps moving, to then BOOT Yujiro! The fans fire up while Yujiro bails out. Callum eggs Yujiro on, but the ref wants him to stay in. Yujiro slides in, Callum dodges and DROPKICKS! Yujiro bails out again and the fans fire up. Yujiro hurries back up to the apron, but Callum DROPKICKS him down!

Callum takes aim as Yujiro stands up, for the PLANCHA, but Yujiro moves aside! Callum lands on his feet but that strains the legs. Yujiro reels Callum in, REVERSE DDT to the floor! The ref wants this back inside, and fans rally up for Callum, but Yujiro stalks him. Yujiro drags Callum up to RAM him into railing! Yujiro brings Callum back up, to RAM him into the apron! The ref reprimands but Yujiro brings Callum around, to whip into railing! Callum goes down in a heap and Yujiro leaves him behind. The ring count starts but Callum sits up at 4 of 20. The fans cheer Callum on as he rises at 10 of 20 and hobbles over.

Callum rolls in at 13, the fans cheer, but Yujiro stomps Callum right down. Yujiro digs his boots in, the ref counts, so Yujiro lets off at 4. Yujiro whips Callum into a corner, stomps him, ROCKS him with a forearm, then ELBOWS him. Yujiro throws more elbows, then runs up to BOOT! Callum slumps down but Yujiro pushes him to a cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Yujiro argues the count. The ref says it was fair, so Yujiro drags Callum to center. Yujiro drops a leg, drops it again, then drops it again! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this and the fans rally up. Yujiro is annoyed, but he eggs Callum on. Yujiro brings Callum up, and Callum fires a forearm!

Yujiro eggs Callum on more as Callum throws more shots. Yujiro then knees low! Yujiro snapmares Callum and then basement BOOTS! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Callum toughs it out. Yujiro brings Callum up, puts him against ropes, then fires forearms. The ref reprimands, but Yujiro gets space. Callum BOOTS first! Callum runs up but into a kick! Yujiro runs but Callum follows, trips him, and DOUBLE STOMPS him! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yujiro goes to one corner, Callum goes to the other. Callum fires up, the fans are with him, and he runs Around the World to DROPKICK!

Callum snapmares Yujiro, runs up and PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans still applaud as Callum has control. Callum clutches his beat up back, uses the ropes to stretch it out, and then he clamps onto Yujiro with chicken wings. Yujiro hurries to the ropes, so Callum ROCKS him with a right! Callum sits Yujiro in the ropes, then runs to DROPKICK Yujiro in the back! Yujiro falls, Callum brings him up and chicken wings. Yujiro fights the lift, stomps Callum’s foot, then ROCKS him with an elbow! Callum comes back to ROCK Yujiro with a forearm! Callum runs, but into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Callum sputters, Yujiro runs up and BOOTS him!

Yujiro brings Callum around, reels him in, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Callum survives and the fans cheer! Yujiro is frustrated but he stalks Callum. Yujiro drags Callum up, reels him in, INCOLLE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Callum is tougher then the Intercollegiate Slam and Yujiro grows further frustrated! Yujiro stumbles after Callum, brings him up, and fireman’s carries. Callum fights free, but Yujiro blocks the lariat! Yujiro ducks the backhand but not the ROUNDHOUSE! Both men are down again as Callum catches his breath. The fans rally up and Callum fires himself back up. The fans join in and Callum takes aim.

Callum goes to run but Yujiro reels him in! Yujiro waistlocks, Callum switches, but Yujiro BITES Callum’s hand! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Yujiro stops at 4. Yujiro runs, but Callum blocks the boot, ROCKS Yujiro, then runs. Yujiro uses the ref as a shield! He gets the cane! But Callum blocks the cane attack, kicks Yujiro low, but now the ref sees Callum with the cane! Callum defends his innocence, the ref takes the cane, and Yujiro LOW BLOWS!! The fans boo but Yujiro reels Callum in, for PIMP JUICE! Cover, TWO!! Yujiro is stunned that Callum survives! Yujiro pleads with the ref, but no, it was not a three.

Yujiro drags Callum up, reels him in, for BIG- NO, Callum wrenches out! Yujiro ROCKS Callum, runs, but Callum shoots around to chicken wing and TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yujiro escapes but the fans fire up! Callum aims from a corner, runs Around the World, and DROPKICKS! Yujiro staggers, Callum goes up, and he roars as he springboard DOUBLE STOMPS! Then OSCUTTER!! Cover, Callum wins!

Winner: Callum Newman, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

It was a grueling first fight, but Callum was able to outpace Yujiro, and he now moves ahead! Callum faces Kenta in Korakuen Hall, will Callum continue to build momentum? Or will he #GoToSleep before the Climax?

G1 Climax 34 A Block Qualifier First Round: YOSHI-HASHI VS Chase Owens!

The Head Hunter and the Crown Jewel have battled many times, both in the G1 and more recently, over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. Sadly, neither man has that gold, but they’re looking at something bigger. Will Yoshi-Hashi #GetBackUp and head for the next round? Or will he be the victim of a Jewel Heist?

The bell rings and the two circle as the fans rally up. The two tie up, are in a deadlock, but Chase swings Hashi around to put him on ropes. The ref counts, Chase lets off, but then he blows snot on Hashi! Chase eggs Hashi on so Hashi fires forearms! Hashi CLUBS Chase, Chase knees low and Chase TOSSES Hashi out. Hashi runs up to the apron but Chase DECKS him! Chase builds speed but Hashi dodges the dropkick! Hashi kicks low, whips, and Chase hits railing! Chase staggers away while fans applaud. Hashi goes after Chase, brings him around, and whips him into more railing! Chase staggers again while fans applaud.

The ref wants this back in the ring but Hashi lines up a shot. Chase stands, Hashi runs up, but Chase BOOTS him! Chase RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS Hashi into railing! The ref goes out to check Hashi while Chase leaves him behind. Chase opens the gate so he can snatch a fan’s Yoshi-Hashi towel! Chase sneaks that over so he can CHOKE Hashi with it! The ref sees that, reprimands, but Chase whips Hashi hard into railing! Down goes Abe-san, too! Since when was Chase copying the House of Torture? Chase storms over, brings Hashi up, and puts him in the ring. Hashi sits up, Chase runs, SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Hashi stays in this. Chase is annoyed and he mocks the fans as they rally up. Chase CLUBS Hashi on the neck, stomps Hashi’s hand, then brings him up to wrench and wristlock. Chase bends the fingers, then SNAPS them! The ref reprimands Chase being a Villain, but Chase stomps away in the corner. Chase then bends the fingers, and he makes Hashi flip Goto off on commentary. Chase CHOPS Hashi, CLUBS him, then RAMS into him! Chase digs in his shoulder, then lifts Hashi to RAM him in again! Hashi hobbles, Chase whips him corner to corner hard, and Hashi bounces off buckles! Chase soaks up the heat while Hashi writhes.

Chase drags Hashi up but Hashi fires body shots. Hashi CHOPS and the fans cheer! But Chase BOOTS Hashi down! Chase clutches his stinging chest, drags Hashi up, but Hashi suplexes first! The fans fire up while both men are down, and Chase goes to a corner. Hashi goes to the other, runs in corner to corner, and CHOPS! Hashi ROCKS and CHOPS and repeat on Chase! The fans fire up, the ref reprimands, but Hashi lets off with one more CHOP! Chase sits down, but he SPITS at Hashi! So Hashi CHOPS him again! Hashi whips corner to corner, Chase reverses, but Hashi comes back to run Chase over!

The fans cheer and Hashi cleans himself off. Hashi then runs up to CHOP, run again, and BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Chase stays in this but the fans rally up for Hashi. Hashi storms over to Chase, brings him up, but Chase throws body shots. Hashi eggs him on, Chase throws more shots, then a CHOP of his own! Hashi DECKS Chase and the fans fire up! Hashi goes back to a corner to catch his breath. Chase slowly goes to the other corner, Hashi runs in again, but Chase blocks the lariat to BUCKLE SHOT, STO, and SENTON! The fans fire up while both men are down! Chase runs corner to corner now to forearm smash!

Chase reels Hashi in, short arm LARIAT! Then a half nelson to GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi stays in this and the fans fire up again! Chase is annoyed but he drags Hashi back up. Chase reels him in, but Hashi back drops free! But Chase is right back up! BLINDSIDE C-TRIGGER! Chase then wrenches, hammerlocks and JEWEL HEISTS! Cover, TWO!! Chase is furious with the ref but the ref defends his count! Chase scowls, drags Hashi up, and reels him in. Chase tucks the arms, PACKAGE- NO, Hashi flips free to CODE BREAKER! Roll up and bridge, TWO! Chase escapes but Hashi dropkicks the legs out!

The fans fire up again while both men are down! Hashi and Chase go back to corners, and both men run in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither falls! DOUBLE LARIATS collide again, and Chase staggers back! Hashi runs corner to corner, but Chase sends him into buckles! Chase rolls Hashi up, and puts his feet on ropes! TWO!! Hashi escapes but Chase gets moving, to C- NO!! Hashi blocks the trigger! Chase fires hands but Hashi CLUBS the leg! Hashi puts the leg in ropes, to SUPERKICK! Full nelson, DRAGON SUPLEX! Chase roars and rise sup, he swats a lariat and BACK ELBOWS! Hashi roars and swings, but into a HALF ‘N’ HALF!

But Hashi is right back up! C-TRIGGER!! Hashi falls back but Chase has to sit down! The fans fire up and rally for Hashi as he stirs. Chase aims as Hashi goes to ropes, and he runs in to C-TRIGGER! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and the fans fire up again! Chase drags Hashi back up, POINT-BLANK C-TRIGGER!! Hashi flops over but Chase wants to go for the execution! Chase reels Hashi in, tucks the arms, and PACKAGE- NO! Hashi kicks and flails to fight! But Chase powers through! PACKAGE- NO, Hashi fights free with a back drop! Chase sunset flips it! But Hashi sits on it! Cover, TWO!! Even Chase has to check if he got free in time!

Chase runs, but Hashi dodges the trigger! ELBOW! CHOP! SUPERKICK! Chase roars, but into a SUPERKICK! Hashi reels Chase in for a DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!! Chase survives and the fans fire up! Hashi rallies the fans, runs, and LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Chase is still in this but the fans fire up more! Hashi gets Chase up, full nelsons, then pump handles, KARMA!! Cover, Hashi wins!

Winner: Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The Crown Jewel cracked under the pressure and now Hashi heads for Korakuen Hall! But Hashi’s friend and teammate in Chaos, Tomohiro Ishii, will be waiting! If Hashi made it through this, can he make it through the Stone Pitbull?

8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The House of Torture!

Tetsuya Naito is preparing for the Forbidden Door and his battle with Jon Moxley, but it seems some old enemies are knocking at his door. Will Titan, Bushi & Yota Tsuji help Naito stay tranquilo? Or will Evil, Ren Narita, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Sho make sure Darkness Falls in Fukushima?

Before the match, Sho gets on the mic to sarcastically with Naito a happy birthday. As such, he says it’s cute Naito thinks he’s going to have a happy birthday at all. Sho talks trash on LIJ, too, but the fans boo. And then The House just attacks! The bell rings, the brawl is on, and while Evil, Narita & Kanemaru drag Naito, Bushi & Yota out, Sho digs his boot into Titan’s neck! Red Shoes reprimands, Sho lets off, and he drags Titan up to CLUB him down. Sho talks trash as he digs his boot into Titan’s head. Titan gets up to fire off a strike fest! SOBAT and Titan runs, but Kanemaru gets a cheap shot in!

Red Shoes reprimands, Titan swings on Kanemaru but Kanemaru avoids it. Kanemaru throws Titan down by his mask, only for Titan to kip up! PELE! Kanemaru falls, Titan gets around Sho to knuckle lock, CHOP, and he goes up and up! Titan tightrope walks but Kanemaru gets in, so Titan MISSILE DROPKICKS the Heel Master! Then DROPKICK for the Murder Machine! The fans fire up as Titan snapmares, gets a leg, and drops a leg on the knee! And then Titan drags Sho over to tag in Naito! The fans cheer as the birthday boy drags Sho up and wrenches his arm to a wristlock. Sho begs for mercy as Naito cranks the hold!

Sho reaches out, Naito keeps him from ropes, and they go around and around. Naito even teases Evil by just barely keeping Sho back from a tag! Naito grins as he brings Sho away and Bushi tags in. Bushi climbs up, Evil protests, but Bushi still gets away with the AX HANDLE! The fans cheer, and Bushi BLASTS Evil off the apron! Bushi CHOPS Sho, whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Sho dodges. Sho runs in but into the PENDULUM KICK! Bushi aims but Dick Togo anchors Bushi’s feet while Sho gets in Red Shoes’ face! Narita BOOTS Bushi down, and then the rest of the House attacks the rest of LIJ!

Narita whips Bushi into railing, Evil CHOKES Naito, Sho whips Yota! Sho and Bushi get back in the ring, even as Evil CHOKES Naito, Kanemaru CHOKES Titan, and Narita brings Yota into the crowd! The fans have to be careful, and Red Shoes reprimands, but this lets Sho CHOKE Bushi in the ring! Sho tags Kanemaru and he scrapes his foot off Bushi’s face. Kanemaru snapmares Bushi, ELBOWS him in the head, then stomps him around. The fans rally for Bushi but Kanemaru sends him into Evil’s boot! Kanemaru tags Evil, Red Shoes sees Evil has a shirt ready to use, so Evil gives that up so he can kick Bushi out of the ring.

Red Shoes is busy putting the shirt aside, so he misses Sho and Narita mugging Bushi! Narita grabs a chair, Sho stands Bushi up, and Narita JAMS Bushi! Yota protests, Narita puts Bushi in for Evil, and Evil drags Bushi up for a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! But then someone rings the bell? Dick Togo makes the announcement and Evil even grabs Bushi’s mask cover to celebrate. Red Shoes says no, this doesn’t count in any way, shape or form. Evil says fine, and he tags Narita. Narita drags Bushi up, Bushi CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Narita CLAWS Bushi’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands while Narita scrapes Bushi’s face off ropes!

Red Shoes counts, Narita lets off and runs, but Bushi blocks the boot to ENZIGIRI! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Bushi crawls, but Narita stomps him down! Narita BLASTS Yota, stands Bushi up, but Bushi blocks a kick to CLUB the leg! Bushi then dropkicks the legs out, crawls for his corner, and the fans rally up! Hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota runs Narita over! Kanemaru & Sho get in to kick low then double whip, but Yota kicks Sho while he arm-drags Kanemaru! The fans fire up as Yota scoops Sho for a BACKBREAKER! Kanemaru storms up but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER!

Narita returns, kicks low and whips, but Yota reverses to scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up for the hattrick while Narita writhes! Yota gets the fans even more fired up and he smiles. Yota drags Narita up, fireman’s carries, but Narita fights free. Narita CHOKES Yota, Red Shoes reprimands, but Yota breaks free! Yota swings, Narita ducks then gets the SLEEPER! Yota endures, and he RAMS Narita into the corner! Yota sputters, but Evil sneakily unties the buckle pad! Yota runs back in and surprise! Yota runs into bare buckles! The fans boo but Narita tags Evil in. Evil & Narita split the wishbone on Narita, then Evil DECKS Naito!

Narita & Evil whip Yota to an open corner. Evil runs in but Yota BOOTS him! Narita runs in, he blocks Yota’s boot, but Yota reels Narita in to STOMP down! Evil mule kicks, runs, but into a COMPLETE SHOT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yota crawls over, hot tag to Naito! Naito fires hands on Evil, kicks and CLUBS him, then whips. Evil reverses but Naito holds ropes. Naito BOOTS Evil, runs up and gets around, then whips to arm-drag! Evil stands, Naito RAMS into him, but Evil fights the atomic drop. Naito RAMS Evil into the corner, whips him corner to corner, then ELBOWS him! Naito snapmares and basement dropkicks!

The fans fire up as Naito poses, then he covers, TWO! Evil is still in this but Naito stays on him. Evil kicks, Naito blocks and he CLUBS the leg! Naito kicks and kicks, but Evil blocks! Kanemaru gets in to dropkick the legs out! Kanemaru & Sho hold off LIJ while Evil steps through, for the SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Naito endures, pushes up, crawls forward, but Evil sits deep on the hold! Dick pokes Naito in the eyes! But even so, Naito fights forward to the ROPEBREAK! Evil holds until Red Shoes counts 4, then Kanemaru tags in. The House sends Naito to an open corner. Sho runs in to forearm smash, then Narita adds his own!

Kanemaru runs in to elbow! Evil runs in to clothesline! Snapmare, and then Narita gets in Red Shoes’ face! Dick goes up the corner while Evil & Kanemaru hold Naito open! DICK CHOP! Kanemaru covers, TWO!! Naito survives and the fans fire up! But Kanemaru & Evil SMASH the knees! Kanemaru steps through to FIGURE FOUR! Naito endures, the fans rally, but Kanemaru thrashes around! Bushi gets in to stomp Kanemaru, but Sho kicks Bushi! Sho throws Bushi out, but Naito is still free of the leglock. Dick distracts Red Shoes, letting Kanemaru get his whiskey! The fans boo as Kanemaru aims, but Naito ducks the bottle!

Titan SHOTGUNS Kanemaru, then he BOOTS Dick! Sho kicks Titan, whips, but Titan reverses. Titan goes Matrix to then CALF KICK Sho! Evil & Narita attack, double whip, but Titan uses that to FLY out onto Sho! The fans fire up, Bushi & Yota get in! CODE BREAKER for Evil, STUNNER for Narita! Then Naito baits Kanemaru into an atomic drop! Bushi ENZIGIRIS! Yota SUPERKICKS! Bushi gives Naito a boost, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Naito gets Kanemaru up, wrenches, and tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall

The House of Torture tried but failed, and the night is tranquilo after all! Yota grabs the blue buckle pad and threatens Narita with it! Souled Out runs away to help the rest of The House get outta here, will they ever learn their lesson?

As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring, and naturally, Naito gets the mic. “Buenas noches, Fukushimaaa~!” The fans cheer, and Naito continues. NJPW visits the Fukushima Prefecture often, but it has been three YEARS and eight MONTHS since they were last in THE Fukushima City. Therefore, Naito thanks everyone for coming out tonight. Gracias, amigos. Naito then notes that yes, today happens to be his birthday. The fans cheer that! And Naito says he isn’t sure where she is, but his mom made the trip all the way from Tokyo just to be here tonight. The fans are surprised, but then cheer for Mama Naito.

Naito says again, he isn’t sure where she is in the crowd, but he says gracias to her. The fans applaud that, and then Naito says that in these last three years and eight months, surely there are a lot of new fans here. So, did those new people enjoy NJPW and LIJ? The fans cheer! Then, after these three years and eight months, the next time will be… Hmm. Two years? Three? Four? Just next month? Well, Naito isn’t sure. But until then, remember: Tranquilo! Assen na yo! The fans cheer, and Naito asks, “So, shall we?” The fans cheer, and Naito says if he remembers right, it has been since October of 2016, so SEVEN years and eight months, since the last time! Is everyone ready?

The only way to close out tonight’s New Japan Soul in Fukushima is of course… “Bushi, Hiromu,Takagi, Titan, Yota, y Naito! Nosotros! LOS! INGOBERRRRRNABLEEEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!” Big mic drop and LIJ is rolling forward, but they will have to do this all over again tomorrow night. Will Naito keep up the pace as he heads for Jon Moxley and the Forbidden Door?

My Thoughts:

A very good return for the New Japan Soul series here, with plenty of tune-up matches for tomorrow’s New Japan Soul and those G1 Climax qualifiers. Really good G1 Climax qualifiers tonight, though the fans were just cold for Yujiro against Callum. Good win for Callum, and he’ll have a good showing against Kenta but I don’t expect Callum to make it to the A Block prelim finals in a couple weeks. Hashi VS Chase was very good, great win for Hashi, and while they avoided Bullet Club VS Bullet Club, they’re totally giving us Chaos VS Chaos as Hashi takes on Ishii. I’m leaning towards Ishii making it through and facing Kenta in the prelim finals.

And then a really good, really fun 8 Man Tag for the main event. Naito is definitely building momentum towards his match with Moxley in just over a week, which I would hope he wins, but it doesn’t seem like there’s a clear challenger for Naito afterwards. At the same time, the G1 is next, he’s gonna be in that as champion, the round robin nature makes for at least one person getting that golden ticket win off him in like a middle round. Also happy birthday to Naito, and it was so nice to know his mom made the trip out there to spend time with him.

My Score: 8.8/10