Can the Alpha stand the heat?

So far, AEW’s Konosuke Takeshita has been unstoppable in the G1 Climax! But will he continue to be the Alpha? Or will Yuya Uemura burn him up?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Toru Yano & Katsuya Murashima VS SANADA & Taka Michinoku; Sanada & Taka win.
• Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Shota Umino, Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; The United Empire win(s).
• Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jake Lee & Gabe Kidd; Jake & Gabe win.
• Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi VS EVIL & Dick Togo; Naito & Takagi win.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block: Hirooki Goto VS Boltin Oleg; Goto wins.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block: Jeff Cobb VS Ren Narita; Ren wins.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block: El Phantasmo VS Yota Tsuji; ELP wins.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block: HENARE VS David Finlay; Finlay wins.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block: Konosuke Takeshita VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Zack Sabre Jr: 3-0, 6 points
Evil: 3-0, 6 points
Shingo Takagi: 2-1, 4 points
Gabe Kidd: 2-1, 4 points
Tetsuya Naito: 1-2, 2 points
Jake Lee: 1-2, 2 points
Sanada: 1-2, 2 points
Callum Newman: 1-2, 2 points
Shota Umino: 1-2, 2 points
Great-O-Khan: 0-3, 0 points

Here are the current B Block standings!

Yuya Uemura: 2-0, 4 points
Henare: 2-0, 4 points
Konosuke Takeshita: 2-0, 4 points
Jeff Cobb: 1-1, 2 points
Boltin Oleg: 1-1, 2 points
Yota Tsuji: 1-1, 2 points
Ren Narita: 1-1, 2 points
David Finlay: 0-2, 0 points
Hirooki Goto: 0-2, 0 points
El Phantasmo: 0-2, 0 points

G1 Climax 34 B Block: Hirooki Goto VS Boltin Oleg!

The Fierce Warrior is floundering a bit at 0-2, but he’s still only a step behind the Kazakhstan Juggernaut. Can Goto use Yoshi-Hashi’s motivational words and #TurnItAllAround? Or will Oleg be the one to storm back up the ranks?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and Oleg powers Goto back to ropes. The ref counts, Oleg lets off slowly, and the fans cheer. Goto also claps and the two reset. Goto calls for a knuckle lock, Oleg obliges, and they go shoulder to shoulder for a Test of Strength! Oleg quickly brings Goto to his knees! The fans rally, Goto powers up, and Goto rolls back to reverse the pressure onto Oleg! The fans cheer, and Goto kicks low. Goto headlocks, but Oleg fires body shots. Oleg powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, and Oleg fires up! Goto runs, they RAM shoulders again, and Goto dares Oleg to go!

Oleg and Goto both run, and Oleg runs Goto over! The fans fire up and Oleg brings Goto around. Oleg ROCKS Goto with a forearm, kicks low, then CHOPS him in the corner. And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Goto staggers, Oleg brings him back to the corner, and RAMS into him again and again and again! Goto sits down, Oleg stomps him, but lets off as the ref counts. Oleg then drags Goto up, scoops and SLAMS him! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer, and Oleg goes for legs! Goto scrambles for ropes but Oleg drags him back! Oleg works to turn Goto over, and has the BOSTON CRAB! Goto endures and the fans rally again!

Goto powers up, crawls forward, but Oleg puts on the pressure! Goto starts to falter, but he reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! Oleg lets go and the fans cheer. Oleg paces, but he brings Goto back up. Oleg ROCKS Goto with another forearm, then CHOPS again! Oleg whips corner to corner, runs in, but Goto avoids the splash! Goto runs in but Oleg BOOTS him! Oleg keeps moving, but Goto dodges and LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto snarls as he rises up, and he brings Oleg up for forearm after forearm. Goto whips corner to corner, runs in and MURAMASAS! Then SAIDOS! Cover, TWO!

The fans applaud as Oleg hangs tough. Goto drags Oleg up, goes to fireman’s carry, but Oleg CLUBS him down. Oleg CLUBS Goto again, throws off the elbow pads, and he deadlifts for the Shake, Rattle and THROW! Then Oleg kips up and the fans fire up! Goto crawls to a corner, Oleg aims from the other. Goto rises, Oleg runs in and STINGER SPLASHES! Oleg keeps moving, but Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Oleg writhes but Goto rises. Goto drags Oleg up but Oleg fires a forearm first! And then another! Goto fires back, the two go back and forth!

The fans rally as Goto ROCKS Oleg! Oleg ROCKS Goto! They keep going, and Oleg gets the edge! Oleg runs, but Goto catches him and spins him, URA GTR! And then Goto runs to LARIAT! Oleg stays up!? And he DROPKICKS Goto down! The fans fire up again as Goto flounders to a corner. Oleg rises, runs in, STINGER SPLASH! Then a scoop and SLAM into the drop zone! Oleg goes up and up and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans fire up! Oleg roars, drags Goto up, and fireman’s carries! But Goto slips free and has the SLEEPER! Oleg fades, drops to a knee, then sits down on the mat!

The fans rally as Goto squeezes on the hold and leans on Oleg! The ref checks, but Goto lets go to PENALTY- NO! Oleg blocks the kick! Oleg powers up to a fireman’s carry! LANDSLIDE DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as Goto survives, but Oleg roars again! Oleg fireman’s carries, and he runs for- NO, Goto sunset flips it! TWO!! Oleg escapes and the fans fire up again! Goto SWATS a lariat, has the SLEEPER, then GOTO NI SHIKI! TWO!?! Oleg escapes, Goto blocks a boot! Goto HEADBUTTS Oleg down! Goto fires up and focuses his power! Oleg sits up into the BUZZSAW! Goto then drags Oleg up to dragon sleeper! G T R!! Cover, Goto wins!

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

It was a powerful battle from both men, but in the end, Goto comes out on top! Will he always #GetBackUp until he’s the top of the block? Can Oleg learn from this and #TurnItAllAround?

G1 Climax 34 B Block: Jeff Cobb VS Ren Narita!

The Imperial Unit couldn’t stop The Don Callis Family’s Alpha, but the Souled Out Son of Strong Style snuck one past The Headbanga. Will Cobb be ready for all the tricks up Ren’s sleeve? Or will Ren cancel the Tour of the Islands?

Oh but of course Ren attacks during Cobb’s entrance! He comes running up behind the NJPW World Television Champion to CLUB him, then SMACKS him off the apron! Ren brings Cobb around to whip hard into railing! The ref reprimands but Ren brings Cobb through the gate to the very back of the crowd. Ren CLUBS Cobb again, then sends him into the wall! The ref again reprimands but Ren doesn’t care, this isn’t even a match yet. Ren whips Cobb at the chairs! But Cobb reverses to OVERHEAD SUPLEX Ren onto the chairs! Ren writhes, the fans fire up, and Cobb storms over. Cobb stands Ren up to ROCK him with a right!

The ref insist they get this in the ring so it can actually be a match. Cobb drags Ren up, brings him around the way, and ROCKS him again. The fans rally as Cobb leaves Ren behind. Cobb high-fives Callum Newman on commentary, then goes back to Ren. Cobb drags Ren up, pats him on the back, then CLUBS him! Ren staggers his way to ringside, and Cobb storms up. Cobb puts Ren’s shirt up and over his face, then CHOPS Ren down! Ren sputters while Cobb leaves him behind, Cobb signals for the bell, as does the ref, and now we’re on record. Cobb then goes out to drag Ren up and into the ring.

The fans applaud as Cobb steps on Ren. Cobb pretends he didn’t see Ren there, then drags him around. Cobb stomps Ren, then stands on him as a surfboard! Cobb “puts one out” but pretends to cough on the smoke. Cobb crane stances, then steps off Ren’s back. Cobb drags Ren back up, but Ren fires a forearm! Cobb isn’t bothered by it! Ren fires more forearms, but Cobb is more annoyed than anything. Cobb blocks a shot to then short arm LARIAT! And GACHIMUCHI FLOP as Ren moves aside! Ren grabs a leg and SMASHES the knee! Ren then drags Cobb over to a corner, and he pulls the leg around the post!

The ref counts, the fans boo, and Ren lets go at 4. Ren then SLAMS Cobb’s leg into the post! Cobb crawls away but Ren goes looking under the ring. Ren brings out multiple chairs, but steps into the ring without them. Ren tries a cocky cover, ONE! Ren drags Cobb up, throws him out of the ring, and then follows him. Ren brings Cobb around to go back through the gate. Ren CLUBS and stomps Cobb down, then fetches the chairs. Ren SMASHES the leg with a chair! The ref reprimands, Ren leaves Cobb behind, and the ref checks on Cobb. Cobb is still okay to continue, so a ring count starts. Cobb crawls, then hobbles, and he hops into the ring at 7!

The fans cheer but Ren is on Cobb with stomps! Ren puts the bad leg on ropes, then HIP DROPS the knee! Ren stands Cobb up, but Cobb ROCKS Ren! And ROCKS him again! And HEADBUTTS! Cobb hops on one leg, but Ren CLAWS Cobb’s face! The ref reprimands, but Ren scrapes Cobb’s face off ropes! The ref reprimands more, but Ren runs to BOOT Cobb down! Cover, TWO! Ren clamps onto the leg with a standing toehold, and he twists the foot around! Cobb endures, sits up and fires hands! Ren just wrenches the foot and has a seated toehold! Ren pulls on the leg, but Cobb crawls back to get the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer but Ren holds on. The ref counts, Ren lets go at 4. Ren storms off to fetch a chair into the ring. The ref reprimands but Ren shoves him aside. Ren aims, but the ref stops him! The fans cheer as the chair is taken away. Ren still kicks the bad leg, then runs, but into a CROSSBODY! The fans fire up while both men are down! Cobb goes to ropes, watches Ren rise, and he manages to run Ren over! And again! Ren gets mad, takes a swing, but Cobb dodges to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up and Cobb rises again. Ren goes to a corner, Cobb manages to run in, and he LARIATS!

Cobb brings Ren around to lift and atomic TOSS! Cover, TWO! Ren is still in this, but Cobb GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Cobb manages that on one good leg! Cobb hobbles after Ren, drags him up, and fireman’s carries, but Ren slips free. Ren waistlocks but Cobb denies the O’Conner Roll. Ren dodges the lariat and BOOTS Cobb! Cobb staggers, into DOWN TO DIE! Both men are down from that knee drop attack, and the fans rally up. Ren rises first, storms over and drags Cobb up. But Cobb fights the exploder! Cobb CLUBS Ren, but Ren slips around for a drop toehold into KNEEBAR!

Cobb endures, reaches out, but Ren rolls him away to keep the KNEEBAR!! Cobb endures, but Ren has the leg grapevined! Cobb still reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Ren lets go at 4, and he vows to end this now. Ren goes up a corner, Cobb stands, HELL’S- NO, Cobb avoids the “Hell’s Guillotine” knee drop and he ROCKS Ren! GERMAN- NO, Ren fights the lift to switch! Cobb switches, but Ren mule kicks the bad leg! The ref reprimands but Ren says he made sure to hit the knee. Then Ren runs up to DOUBLE- NO, Cobb pops Ren up into a fireman’s carry! F 5 THOUSAND!! Ren flounders around and the fans fire up!

Cobb crawls his way over to the cover, TWO! Ren survives from the delay but Cobb roars and beats his chest! The fans fire up with Cobb and he drags Ren back up. But Ren grabs the ref! Cobb swings, Ren dodges, and then shoves Cobb into the ref! Then a CHOP BLOCK on the bad leg! The fans boo while Ren fetches his push-up bar! Ren grins, aims, but Cobb blocks the bar attack! They fight over the bar, and Cobb TOSSES Ren away! Cobb has the bar, and he glares at Ren. Cobb shrugs, aims, but Ren has the ref look! The ref stops Cobb from using the bar, Ren LOW BLOWS Cobb! And KNEES Cobb into the DOUBLE CROSSER!! Cover, Ren wins!!

Winner: Ren Narita, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Cobb earns 0)

Once again, an underhanded victory for The Souled Out Son of Strong Style. And now, he has a win over a champion! Will Ren look to have his 15 minutes of fame even after the G1? Or can Cobb still find a way to conquer the Climax?

G1 Climax 34 B Block: El Phantasmo w/ Jado VS Yota Tsuji!

Speaking of the Headbanga, it’s been rough for him without his friends around. Will he finally stand on his own two feet again? Or will he be knocked down by a Gene Blast?

The bell rings and the fans duel, “E L P!” “YO-TA! YO-TA!” Yota and ELP take a moment to check who has the stronger cheering. Yota smiles as it seems pretty clear his fans are the majority. The two tie up, go around, and Yota wrenches to a wristlock. ELP rolls, trips Yota, turns him over, and ties up the legs for a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Yota pops free, covers, TWO!! ELP narrowly escapes and the fans cheer! The two reset, tie up again, and Yota headlocks. ELP throws body shots, powers up and out, but Yota runs him over! Yota keeps moving, ELP hurdles, Yota leaps over, but ELP sweeps! Cover, ONE! ELP avoids a sweep to body scissor roll, TWO!

Yota has a cover, TWO! ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Yota narrowly escapes and the fans fire up again! ELP asks, “How ’bout now?” The dueling is still favors “YO-TA! YO-TA!” but the ELP side is growing stronger. ELP steps up and he CHOPS Yota! The fans cheer while Yota steps back to the ropes. Yota then comes back to CHOP ELP! Yota shakes out his hand, he hit ELP that hard. ELP hushes the fans, and CHOPS Yota again! The fans cheer and ELP flexes. But Yota grins and stands back up. ELP slaps Yota around a bit, but Yota hushes everyone. But then ELP wrangles Yota by the hand! ELP drops a KNEE on the fingers!

ELP then knuckle locks, CHOPS, and goes up, up and all around to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up again and ELP feeds off the energy. Yota bails out, ELP builds speed, but Yota GAMANGIRIS the dive! ELP tumbles and fans fire up again. Yota drags ELP up, fireman’s carries, and hits SNAKE EYES off the apron! Jado coaches ELP but Yota brings ELP up and into the ring. The fans rally, Yota steps in and covers, ONE!! ELP stays in this but Yota stays on him. Yota stands ELP up to CHOP! ELP sputters, goes to a corner, and he’s got tingling in his hands. ELP shakes his head, he isn’t done yet, but Yota stands him up.

Yota RAMS into ELP again and again! Then Yota brings ELP around to half nelson and GUTBUSTER DROP! Then Yota wraps on the body scissors! ELP endures the squeeze, pulls at Yota’s legs, but Yota just squeezes tighter! ELP fights around, reaches out, but Yota puts on all the pressure he can! ELP sits up then rocks back to roll his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, and Yota lets ELP go. Yota paces while ELP grits his teeth and sits up. Yota drags ELP up but ELP CHOPS! And CHOPS! Yota isn’t bothered, so ELP fires a forearm! Yota CHOPS back! ELP staggers and falls against ropes, but he shakes his head.

ELP stands, CHOPS, but Yota knees low! Yota runs, ELP drops then DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Yota rolls away to a corner but ELP kips up! The fans cheer, ELP runs in and forearm SMASHES! ELP whips, Yota reverses, but ELP goes up and over. ELP then ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! ELP somersaults through to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and ELP calls his shot. ELP brings Yota up, straitjackets and torture racks, then spins into BRAIN SALAD! The fans fire up while ELP crawls to the cover, TWO! Yota survives and the fans rally up again.

Jado coaches ELP while both men stagger up. ELP runs in to LARIAT Yota up and out! Then ELP builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Yota goes over railing! The Young Lions hurry to help Yota out of No Man’s Land, and that means clearing out the fans. Yota stands, ELP ROUNDHOUSES him! ELP goes to the ring, then goes up the corner! SPRINGBOARD THUNDERKISS into No Man’s Land! Direct hit and down goes Yota! ELP hobbles up as the ring count climbs, and ELP dumps Yota to ringside at 12 of 20. ELP hops over at 15, pushes Yota in at 17, and the fans cheer. ELP goes back up ropes, to SWANTON BOMB!

ELP struggles to get back up but he still LIONSAULTS, but Yota moves! ELP belly flops and flounders to a corner while the fans rally up. Yota rises, runs in, but ELP BOOTS him! ELP goes up the corner, but Yota CHOPS first! ELP leans back, Yota sits him up, and SUPER DRAGON SCREWS a leg! Yota then SMASHES that leg on the mat! Yota ties the legs up, and he lifts ELP in a PRISM TRAP!! ELP endures, reaches out, but Yota leans on the hold! ELP flails, finds his way forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! Yota lets go, and he stands on ELP’s leg! The ref reprimands, Yota steps away, and he paces while ELP drags himself up.

Yota taunts ELP, and ELP CHOPS! Yota kicks the bad leg! ELP falls, but he drags himself back up. ELP hobbles over to fire forearms, but Yota kicks the leg again! Yota scuffs ELP, gives him taunting kicks, and even stands on ELP’s bad leg. ELP pushes the leg again, stands up and staggers. ELP takes the elbow pads off, then winds up to ROCK Yota! The fans fire up and Yota even kneels! ELP gives Yota taunting kicks but Yota smiles. Yota stands to ROCK ELP. ELP steadies himself and takes a deep breath. ELP fires another forearm, and now the two go back and forth! The fans rally and duel, and ELP gets the edge!

ELP ROCKS Yota again, roars, but Yota gets the bad leg! KNEE BREAKER! But ELP still ENZIGIRIS! The fans fire up and ELP runs, into a clinch! BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER, and STOMP! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and the fans cheer, but Yota shakes his head. We pass 15 minutes as Yota brings ELP up, but ELP’s leg won’t let him stand! Yota drags ELP up and reels him in, but ELP drags him into a cradle! TWO!! ELP fakes high to roll Yota up, TWO! ELP hurries to hook arms, and backslide! ONE as Yota rolls through, to DOUBLE STOMP! The fans fire up as Yota goes up and up and MAROON- NO, ELP dodges!

Yota rolls through, ELP goes up, TORNADO DDT! And roll through! But Yota suplexes first!! ORANGE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and the fans fire up! Yota is stunned, but he goes to a corner. The fans rally up and duel even harder as Yota takes aim! ELP drags himself up, Yota runs in, but ELP LEAPS the Gene Blaster! SUDDEN DEATH!! ELP brings Yota around, tucks the arms, C R 2!! But the bad leg won’t let him cover! ELP has to crawl back over to Yota, TWO!!! Yota survives because of the delay and the fans are thunderous! ELP drags himself back to a corner and Jado coaches him to try again.

ELP goes up the corner, the bad leg slowing him down. Yota GAMANGIRIS ELP! The fans fire up as Yota climbs to the very top! Yota brings ELP up to join him, but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS and Yota falls! ELP adjusts, aims, and THUNDERKISS 86 onto knees!! Cradle cover, but ELP rocks it back!! ELP WINS?!?

Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yota earns 0)

Even the Headbanga is surprised he pulled that one out! Does this mean there is hope for ELP yet? Will Yota have to fight that much harder to keep his own G1 hopes alive?

G1 Climax 34 B Block: HENARE VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The NEVER Openweight Champion clashes with the IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion in what could already be a make-or-break showdown. Will the Face of Fury be leading the block? Or will The United Empire fail to conquer The Rebel?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two stare down. They circle, tie up, and Finlay slips around to headlock. Henare powers out. they RAM shoulders, then the forearms start flying! The fans fire up and Henare gets the edge! Henare runs but Finlay ROCKS him! Henare still kicks and whips, but Finlay reverses! Only for Henare to bounce off buckles and CLOBBER him! The fans cheer, Henare drags Finlay up to HEADBUTT, snapmare, and run. Finlay ducks the rugby kick, Henare avoids the rolling elbow, but Finlay narrowly avoids the heel kick! The fans fire up but Gedo coaches Finlay. Henare waits while Finlay goes around the way.

Finlay snatches the NEVER Openweight Championship off the timekeeper’s table! Finlay looks it over, then SPITS on it before he throws it down and stomps on it! The fans boo but Henare storms out after Finlay. Finlay leads Henare on a cat ‘n’ mouse game, then slips into the ring. Henare slides in but CLUBS away on him! Henare still puts Finlay in a corner and fires forearms back! Finlay turns things around to fire forearms, but then Henare turns things back around! Red Shoes tries to get Henare to stop but then Finlay turns things around to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Henare turns things back around to HEADBUTT over and over!

The fans fire up as Henare finally lets off, and then he eggs Finlay on. Finlay SPITS at Henare, then runs up! They both fire furious fists and the fans fire up! Finlay avoids a lariat to LARIAT Henare and himself up and out of the ring! The fans rally up while both men stir. Finlay brings Henare up and RAMS him into railing! And he RAMS Henare in again! Finlay glares at Douki on Japanese commentary, mockingly offers Callum a Too Sweet on English commentary, but Callum throws up the crown. So Finlay flips him off! Finlay drags Henare up, fireman’s carries, and runs, but Henare slips free! Henare swings, but into a torture rack!

Finlay backs up and he POSTS Henare, lower back first! Henare writhes, Finlay lounges and gloats, “I’m so good a this.” Finlay then Too Sweets with Gedo and shows off his IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, gloating that he’s a real champion. The ring count climbs, but Finlay puts Henare in at 12. Cover, TWO! Henare grits his teeth but Finlay turns him over to HIP DROP! Finlay then clamps on a chinlock and he bends Henare back! Henare endures, so Finlay drops an elbow! Finlay stalks Henare, kicks him around, but the fans rally up. Finlay ROCKS Henare in the back, then CHOKES him on the ropes!

Finlay taunts Henare about the scar he suffered from the brutal steel cage match months ago. Finlay slaps Henare around as he lets off, then he brings Henare into a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Henare stays in this but Gedo taunts Henare that Finlay is a real champion! Finlay barks, and he waits on Henare to get up in a corner. Finlay runs up and in, but Henare ELBOWS him away! Then goes up, only for Finlay to duck the kick! Henare comes back but Finlay catches him into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally but Finlay grabs the legs. Finlay works to turn Henare over, and he gets the BOSTON CRAB!

Henare endures, Finlay shifts to a HALF CRAB, but still Henare endures. Finlay grabs the other leg again for a FULL BOSTON CRAB, but Henare fights forward to the ROPEBREAK! Finlay lets go in frustration while the fans applaud. Finlay talks trash, kicks Henare around, and he ROCKS Henare with a forearm. Finlay SMACKS Henare off buckles, but Henare grits his teeth. Finlay fires another forearm, SMACKS Henare off buckles again, but Henare snarls! Finlay fires another forearm, SMACKS Henare off buckles again, but Henare just fire up! Henare headbutts the buckles, but then Finlay throat chops him!

Finlay fires more throat chops, mocks Henare’s roaring, then whips corner to corner. But Henare reverses and reels Finlay in, SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up while both men are down! Henare rises first and he storms up to ROCK Finlay with forearm after forearm! Henare whips corner to corner, runs in, but Finlay BOOTS! Henare still LARIATS! Henare roars before he fires off fast hands from all sides! Henare HEADBUTTS, fireman’s carries, then WASTELAND SLAMS! Finlay writhes, the fans fire up, and Henare SENTONS! A bit double-edged with the damage done to his back, but Henare still covers, TWO!

The fans rally, Finlay sputters, and Henare runs to RUGBY KCIK! Finlay staggers up, Henare whips and scoops, BERSERKER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Gedo is relieved but the fans rally behind Henare. Henare looms over Finlay, eggs him on, so Finlay CHOPS! Henare isn’t bothered, so Finlay stands to fire a forearm! Henare still eggs Finlay on so Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Henare eggs Finlay on so Finlay UPPERCUTS again and again and again! Finlay runs, but into a BODY BLOW! Finlay sputters, the fans fire up, and Gedo is worried! Henare stalks Finlay to a corner, and he drags Finlay up for a BODY SHOT!

Henare looms over Finlay, and Finlay sits up, into a KICK! Finlay flops back and Henare roars! The fans cheer, and Henare brings Finlay up. Henare powers up and runs, but Finlay ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for Henare to LARIAT after all! Henare keeps going, and he LARIATS Finlay inside-out! Cover, TWO! Henare snarls and the fans fire up as he goes to a corner. Gedo coaches Finlay, and Finlay rises up, but into the RAMPAGE- DDT!! Finlay turns things around at the last moment! Both men are down again and the fans rally back up. Finlay and Henare slowly rise, and they crawl towards each other.

Finlay fires a forearm! Henare fires back! Finlay fires another, so Henare fires another! Finlay wobbles but he comes back with a forearm! They stand, the forearms keep going, and the fans rally up as the shots go back and forth. Finlay fires a flurry, then ducks to ROCK Henare! Henare HEEL KICKS! Finlay ROLLING ELBOWS! And ROLLING ELBOWS! Henare is still up so Finlay DISCUS LARIATS! Cover, ONE!! Finlay hurries to Canadian rack and CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Henare survives the onslaught and Finlay is frustrated. Finlay grits his teeth, drags Henare up and reels him in, but Henare resists the lift.

Finlay CLUBS away on Henare, but Henare fireman’s carries! Finlay slips free but Henare ELBOWS him! Then JUMP KNEE! Finlay is in the corner, Henare runs up, SHINING- NO, Finlay catches Henare to a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Finlay is beside himself as Henare survives again! We pass 15 minutes and Finlay roars! Finlay suplexes, but Henare fights free! Henare clinches Finlay, Finlay slips free to try again. But Henare fights free to URENAGE! Henare then aims from a corner, runs up, RAMPAGE!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and the fans fire up! Henare pounds the mat and fans rally behind him!

Henare drags Finlay up, fisherman and torture rack, but Finlay slips free to roll Henare up! With tights! TWO, and Henare HEADBUTTS! But then Finlay catches Henare into OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay wins!

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

Whether or not Finlay’s more a “real champion” than Henare, he holds up both belts as if he’s going to soon own them both. Finlay again disrespects the NEVER title by throwing it aside, will The Rebel soon decide what matters in NJPW? Can Henare find a way to make sure that doesn’t happen?

G1 Climax 34 B Block: Konosuke Takeshita VS Yuya Uemura!

The Alpha and the Heat Storm are both 2-0 and looking really good right about now. But only one can come out of here looking like the best in the block! Will Konosuke keep his momentum up? Or can Yuya continue to rise up in the summer heat?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Konosuke steps up to center, Yuya steps to him, and the two circle. They tie up, Konosuke puts Yuya on ropes, and Red Shoes calls the break. Konosuke winds up, but he lets off after all. The fans applaud, and Yuya keeps cool as the two reset. They tie up, Konosuke waistlocks but Yuya wrenches out to wristlock. Konosuke spins, slips through, wrenches back, and then hammerlocks. Konosuke headlocks, grinds the hold, but Yuya pries the hold open. Konosuke clamps it on tighter, but Yuya brings Konosuke down to then slip out and headlock back. The fans rally as Yuya grinds the hold.

Konosuke endures, rolls free and has a cording hold. Konosuke wrenches to another wristlock, but Yuya spins and wrenches in return. Konosuke rolls but Yuya rolls with him! Yuya keeps the wristlock, the fans applaud the exchange, but Konosuke rolls again. Yuya again rolls with him and wrangles Konosuke with a top wristlock! Yuya steps over the arm to trap it, and he SNAP LOCKS it! Konosuke scrambles away while clutching the arm and Red Shoes checks. Konosuke’s okay to continue so Yuya storms up. Yuya wrangles Konosuke, drops an elbow on the elbow, then drops another! And another! Yuya pulls on the arm to have a double wristlock.

Konosuke endures, pulls Yuya’s hair, then fights up to his feet. Konosuke pulls hair again but Red Shoes reprimands. Konosuke whips but Yuya reverses to SAYANAGI! And then ARM SCREW! The fans cheer while Konosuke again clutches the elbow. Yuya dropkicks Konosuke in the back, then pushes him to a cover, ONE! Yuya clamps back onto Konosuke with an armlock, but Konosuke fights up. Konosuke CLAWS Yuya’s eyes, whips, but Yuya reverses, only to take a TAKESHITA LINE! Konosuke drags Yuya up, whips him to ropes, but Yuya KICKS back! The fans cheer, Yuya runs, and he LARIATS Konosuke and himself out!

Yuya skins the cat, the fans rally up, and then Yuya PLANCHAS into an ELBOW! Konosuke knocks Yuya out of the sky, then shakes out the bad arm. Konosuke brings Yuya up, but fakes putting him in the ring to suplex and BRAINBUSTER to the ramp! Yuya sputters but is otherwise okay to continue, so Red Shoes starts the ring count. Konosuke drags Yuya up, but Yuya CHOPS! Yuya stumbles over the ring at 9 of 20, but then flops over before he can get in! The count passes 15 while Konosuke rolls in. Yuya sputters, rises, and slides in at 18! But Konosuke is right on Yuya for a snapmare, then he goes up a corner!

Konosuke fires up and the fans cheer, for the SUPER SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yuya stays in this but Konosuke stays on him with a chinlock. Konosuke traps one of Yuya’s arms, and he cranks Yuya’s head and neck! Yuya endures, even as Konosuke turns things into a HEAD ‘N’ ARM TRIANGLE! Yuya is fading, but the fans rally up! Yuya fights, but Konosuke shifts to a cover, ONE!! The fans cheer but Konosuke drags Yuya up. Yuya CHOPS, but Konosuke just frowns. Yuya CHOPS again, and Konosuke huffs ‘n’ puffs. Yuya CHOPS and CHOPS but Konosuke ROCKS him with a right! Yuya still CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS!

Yuya runs, but into a JUMPING KNEE! The fans fire up as Konosuke practically hurdles Yuya. Konosuke paces, then he drags Yuya up. Konosuke bumps Yuya off buckles, stomps him down, then KNEES him in the face! And another KNEE! Konosuke steps back so he can run up into the KNEE! Snapmare and cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Konosuke is annoyed. Konosuke drags Yuya up, but Yuya fires a forearm! Konosuke ROCKS Yuya in return! Yuya leans against ropes, Konosuke eggs him on, so Yuya CHOPS! Konosuke felt that one! Konosuke ROCKS Yuya again, so Yuya CHOPS again! Konosuke ROCKS Yuya, and ROCKS him again!

Konosuke fires shots against ropes, then whips. Yuya slides under, ducks ‘n’ dodges then FLYING FOREARMS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Konosuke rises first and goes to the red corner. Yuya roars as he storms up and CHOPS! And CHOPS! And then whips, but Konosuke reverses. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Yuya sits up, catches his breath, and then roars as he rises again. The fans cheer, Yuya runs back in at the corner, and he LARIATS! Then BULL- NO, Konosuke stops the bulldog to back suplex! Yuya lands out and hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Konosuke stays in this, and Yuya goes up the corner. Yuya reaches the top, but Konosuke stands first. Konosuke UPPERCUTS, climbs up, and he brings Yuya to the top. The fans rally, Konosuke brings Yuya up for the stalling SUPERPLEX! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Konosuke rises and Yuya goes to the apron while the fans rally. Konosuke runs up to BOOT Yuya down! Then Konosuke builds speed to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans fire up again while Konosuke shakes out the arm. Konosuke drags Yuya up, wrenches and whips, and Yuya hits railing hard! Konosuke then brings Yuya around and has cameramen clear out.

Konosuke aims, whips, but Yuya reverses to POST Konosuke first! Yuya then opens the gates and runs in from No Man’s Land! Konosuke dodges, Yuya stops from hitting post, but now Konosuke runs in! Yuya dodges, the Alpha Elbow hits the POST! Konosuke clutches that arm now, and Red Shoes checks him. Did Konosuke just bust his own arm? He can still move his hand, but then Yuya RAMS Konosuke into railing! Yuya traps the right arm in the railing, then lets off to run side to side and back again! SHOTGUN to the railing! Konosuke scrambles away from having his arm smashed again! Yuya hurries after him to put him in the ring.

The fans applaud as Yuya aims from the apron. Yuya fires up, the fans join him, and he stalks Konosuke. Konosuke shakes out both arms but Yuya CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Konosuke sits down, but Yuya still CHOPS and CHOPS! We’ve passed 15 minutes but Yuya drags Konosuke up to DOUBLE CHOP! Yuya runs corner to corner and back again, to DOUBLE CHOP! The fans fire up more while Konosuke staggers away. Yuya goes up a corner, aims, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO, but into an ARMBAR!! Konosuke clasps hands to fight the hold, then he stacks Yuya up! TWO, and Yuya shifts to the other arm!

Konosuke endures as Yuya pulls on his left arm. Konosuke kicks his way over, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Yuya lets go. Yuya storms back up, full nelsons, but Konosuke fights it off! Konosuke breaks free, ELBOWS Yuya, but Yuya ROCKS Konosuke! Yuya runs, into a BOOT! Konosuke jumps up to POISON-RANA! Konosuke roars, but Yuya runs up to GERMAN SUPLEX! Konosuke rebounds to LARIAT!! The fans are thunderous as Konosuke runs, but into a DROPKCIK! Both men stagger up then fall back down, and the fans are thunderous again! The fans rally and both men slowly rise.

Yuya stands first, he winds up, but Konosuke gets under! Yuya fights the waistlock and switches, but Konosuke breaks the nelson to switch back, BLUE THUNDER BOMB! High stack, TWO!! Yuya survives but Konosuke drags him back up. Konosuke suplexes but Yuya fights free! Yuya gets around, full nelson, DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and the fans rally up as hard as ever! Konosuke stirs, Yuya rises, and Yuya goes right to a corner! Yuya climbs, to FROG SPLASH FLOP as Konosuke moves! Konosuke BOOTS Yuya but Yuya PELES in return! Both men are down again!

The fans rally while Konosuke crawls to ropes and drags himself up. Konosuke shakes out his arms while he goes to a corner. Yuya rises, Konosuke runs up but Yuya blocks the lariat! Konosuke swings again but Yuya traps that arm! Konosuke fires forearms but Yuya traps that arm, too! Konosuke powers out of the cording holds but Yuya powers them back on! The two fight for control, Konosuke powers up as we hit 20 minutes! Yuya tries to keep Konosuke trapped but Konosuke breaks free, and he DECKS Yuya! The fans are thunderous again! Konosuke grits his teeth, and he nods as he storms up on Yuya.

Konosuke sits Yuya up, ROCKS him, but that hurts his forearm! Konosuke ROCKS Yuya with the other arm and that still hurts Konosuke. Yuya flops over, and Konosuke realizes that if both his arms hurt… Konosuke sits Yuya up to HEADBUTT him! Konosuke then runs, but into a RANA! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke escapes and the fans fire up again! Konosuke comes back but Yuya catches him into an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Konosuke endures, fights up, but Yuya powers him back down! Konosuke flails, reaches out, but he manages to turn over! ROPEBREAK! Yuya lets go while the fans cheer again. Yuya grits his teeth as he rises back up.

Yuya brings Konosuke up, scoops him, and SLAMS him! Yuya roars and the fans fire up with him! Yuya goes up the corner, and FROG SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and Yuya is beside himself! The fans are thunderous as Yuya drags Konosuke up to cording hold the arms! But Konosuke slips around to waistlock! Yuya fights the lift and wheelbarrows, but Konosuke stifles that! Konosuke hits a WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! Konosuke throws off the elbow pad and loads up an ALPHA- NO, Yuya catches Konosuke to a backslide! TWO, but into the cording holds! Konosuke HEADBUTTS again and again!

Yuya still holds the arms, powers Konosuke back to a corner, then hits the DEADBOLT!! Bridging cover, YUYA WINS!

Winner: Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Konosuke earns 0)

An incredible battle of young stars, but it is the Heat Storm that burns brightest! Konosuke is furious with himself, but will he be able to redeem himself in the next round?

As for Yuya, after taking a moment to shout in celebration, he gets the mic to tell Konosuke, “Listen up! I will be the protector of Strong Style! You want to be the best in the world right? It’s not just you. With all the promotions in the world right now, I will protect Strong Style!” The fans cheer that, and Yuya continues to say OSU, he’s on his third G1 win! Through professional wrestling, he wants to fire up this whole country. To do that, he first has to be the best. “Who’s going to fire this place up? Who? WHO?! Who’s gonna get everyone fired up? It’ll be the Heat Storm, Yuya Uemura!” The fans fire up for that, but will Yuya’s hot hand carry him to the Climax?

Here are the current A Block standings!

Zack Sabre Jr: 3-0, 6 points
Evil: 3-0, 6 points
Shingo Takagi: 2-1, 4 points
Gabe Kidd: 2-1, 4 points
Tetsuya Naito: 1-2, 2 points
Jake Lee: 1-2, 2 points
Sanada: 1-2, 2 points
Callum Newman: 1-2, 2 points
Shota Umino: 1-2, 2 points
Great-O-Khan: 0-3, 0 points

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Yuya Uemura: 3-0, 6 points
Konosuke Takeshita: 2-1, 4 points
Henare: 2-1, 4 points
Ren Narita: 2-1, 4 points
Jeff Cobb: 1-2, 2 points
David Finlay: 1-2, 2 points
Boltin Oleg: 1-2, 2 points
Hirooki Goto: 1-2, 2 points
El Phantasmo: 1-2, 2 points
Yota Tsuji: 1-2, 2 points

My Thoughts:

Another great round for G1, with some fairly surprising results. There’s no one without a win in B Block now, making it different from A Block. At the same time, we weren’t going to see droughts from Goto, ELP and Finlay that much longer. Ren of course cheated to beat Cobb, and more champs are owing title matches now. Yuya and Konosuke was an awesome main event, definitely felt it could go either way, so great moment for Yuya to stand tall in the end.

My Score: 8.9/10