Does NJPW really need The Rebel?

David Finlay may be the alpha War Dog, but he is not THE Alpha. Will Konosuke Takeshita tear down the IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion? Or will Finlay prove he’s much more elite than Konosuke?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Gabe Kidd & Jake Lee VS Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima; Gabe & Jake win.
• Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman VS EVIL & Dick Togo; Khan & Callum win.
• SANADA & Taka Michinoku VS Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma; Shota & Honma win.
• Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; Naito & Takagi win.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block: Boltin Oleg VS Yota Tsuij; Yota wins.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block: Yuya Uemura VS HENARE; Henare wins.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block: El Phantasmo VS Jeff Cobb; Cobb wins.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block: Hirooki Goto VS Ren Narita; Ren wins.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block: Konosuke Takeshita VS David Finlay; Finlay wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Evil: 5-0, 10 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 4-1, 8 points
Gabe Kidd: 3-2, 6 points
Shota Umino: 3-2, 6 points
Callum Newman: 2-3, 4 points
Shingo Takagi: 2-3, 4 points
Tetsuya Naito: 2-3, 4 points
Sanada: 2-3, 4 points
Great-O-Khan: 1-4, 2 points
Jake Lee: 1-4, 2 points

Here are the current B Block standings!

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

G1 Climax 34 B Block: Boltin Oleg VS Yota Tsuij!

Now this is a big match! The Kazakh Juggernaut has slowed down a bit, but can he build momentum back towards the top? Or will he be knocked down by a Gene Blast?

The bell rings and Oleg RUNS Yota over! The fans cheer, Yota goes to ropes, but Oleg is on him with a whip. Yota holds ropes to stop, then he BOOTS back. Yota runs and RAMS Oleg! Oleg rebounds to RUN Yota over again! Oleg runs, to SPLASH onto knees! Yota turns things around, and he grins as he puts Oleg at center. Yota runs, to SPLASH, onto knees! Oleg returns the favor and the fans rally up. Oleg stands, brings Yota up, but Yota fights the gut wrench! Yota CLUBS again and again, then knees low. Yota half nelsons for a GUTBUSTER! Oleg writhes, the fans rally, and Yota rises back up.

Yota goes over to Oleg and brings him up, but Oleg fights the suplex! Oleg fires body shots, then runs, but into a kitchen sink KNEE! The fans cheer and Yota grins. Yota stalks Oleg to a corner, fires body shot after body shot, until Oleg sits down. Yota then stands on Oleg to dig his boots in! The ref reprimands and counts, and Yota lets off at 4. Yota paces while Oleg crawls out of the corner. Yota grabs Oleg’s legs, and works to turn him! Oleg fights that, the fans rally, but Yota stomps Oleg down. Yota paces more, grins as the fans cheer more, and he stands Oelg up. But Oleg ROCKS him first! Oleg ROCKS Yota again! And again!

Yota BODY BLOWS and Oleg drops to his knees! The fans rally, Yota brings Oleg up and whips. Oleg reveres to reel Yota in and SIDE SLAM! A unique take on the spinebuster but both men are down. The fans cheer, and Oleg slowly rises. Oleg brings Yota up, fires a forearm, then another. Yota ends up in a corner but Oleg fires forearms and CHOPS! The fans cheer again, Oleg whips corner to corner. Oleg runs up to SPLASH! Oleg keeps going and he CLOBBERS Yota! Then he SPLASHES DOWN! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Oleg drags Yota up in the gut wrench! Shake, Rattle and THROW!

The fans fire up as Oleg kips up! Oleg roars and he storms back up on Yota. Yota fights the fireman’s carry and turns Oleg. Oleg fights the backslide, it’s a battle of strength! Yota spins Oleg but Oleg fights the suplex! Oleg tries to suplex but Yota fights it! Yota suplexes Oleg up and over! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yota sits up first, storms over and drags Oleg around, but Oleg again fights the turn! Oleg kicks at Yota, and kicks, and kicks, and Yota falls back! Yota goes to a corner, Oleg goes to the other. Oleg runs in corner to corner, but Yota dodges the splash! Roll-up, TWO! Yota BOOTS Oleg down!

The fans fire up while Yota paces. Yota again grabs Oleg’s legs, and turns him over! BOSTON CRAB! Oleg endures the “Young Lion” hold, and fans rally as he powers up! Oleg pushes himself off the mat, fights his way forward, but Yota drags him back! The fans rally harder, Yota HIP DROPS to then CURB STOMP! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans fire up again. Yota stays cool and he brings Oleg up, for a KNEE! Oleg falls, Yota roars, and the fans fire up again. Yota goes to the corner, goes up and up and MAROON- NO, Oleg dodges! Oleg SHOTGUNS Yota all the way to the corner! The fans rally while both men are down!

Oleg crawls his way over to Yota, brings him around, and fireman’s carries! Yota fights free of the F5 to cradle! TWO!! Oleg escapes, the fans fire up, but Yota aims! SUPERKICK! Yota runs, but Oleg swings! Yota ducks that lariat, rebounds, but into another LARIAT! The fans fire up, and Oleg hauls Yota up for a fireman’s carry! Yota again fights it, Oleg squats, and then rises up! KAMIKAZE ROLL!! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives, perhaps because Oleg didn’t get a running start. But Oleg roars and tries again! Fireman’s carry, KAMI- NO, Yota grabs the ropes! Oleg yanks Yota free but Yota slips out! GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, Yota wins!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Oleg earns 0)

The big boys of B Block battled, and in the end, the Gene Blast bulldozed Boltin Oleg! Is there still hope for Yota to make it to the playoffs? Did that same door just close for the Juggernaut?

G1 Climax 34 B Block: Yuya Uemura VS HENARE!

Though the Heat Storm finally took a loss, he is still leading the way forward. However, he now runs into the Face of Fury. Will the NEVER Openweight Champion be able to weather the storm? Or will Yuya fire back up and stay in first place?

The bell rings, the two stare down, and the fans rally up. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and then back away. They go again, knuckle lock, and fight for control. Yuya wrenches to wristlock, but Henare powers Yuya to ropes. The ref counts the break, Henare lets off with a shove, and the fans applaud. Henare and Yuta reset and circle again. They tie up, Yuya headlocks, but Henare powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, and neither falls. The fans applaud, Yuya runs again, and they RAM shoulders again. Yuya tries a third time, RAMS shoulders, but Henare still doesn’t budge! Henare eggs Yuya on, Yuya tries a fourth time, but Henare RUNS him over!

The fans cheer and Henare gets moving. Yuya stays low, hurdles over, then arm-drags! Then he RUNS Henare over! The fans fire up but Henare’s right up! Yuya arm-drags and has Henare down! The fans cheer while Yuya grinds Henare’s arm. Henare fights up, powers Yuya to a corner, but the ref counts the break. Henare lets off slowly, but Yuya avoids his haymaker! Yuya CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Henare storms up on Yuya, so Yuya CHOPS again! Henare still steps forward, so Yuya CHOPS again! Henare ROCKS Yuya with a forearm! The fans rally, Henare whips, but Yuya reverses.

Henare comes back from the corner, but Yuya CHOPS him! That one backs Henare up, and then Yuya runs in, but into an ELBOW! Henare goes up and FLYING- NO, Yuya gets under the kick, only for Henare to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up again and Henare storms around. Henare sits Yuya up to KICK him! Yuya falls over, but Henare sits Yuya up again for another KICK! Henare drags Yuya up and KICKS him back down! The fans rally, but Henare stalks Yuya. Henare drags Yuya up to ROCK him with a forearm. Yuya goes to a corner, but he CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again!

Henare HEADBUTTS Yuya, then fires off fast hands! Henare HEADBUTTS again and the fans fire up! Yuya wags a finger, he’s not done yet. But then Henare KICKS, KICKS and KICKS Yuya in the corner! Henare drags Yuya up to fireman’s carry, but Yuya flails. Henare still WASTELAND SLAMS, then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Yuya stays in this and the fans applaud. Henare stays focused and he looms over Yuya. The fans rally up, Henare drags Yuya around and gives him some slaps. Yuya stands, and he CHOPS! Henare nods and Yuya CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Henare KNEES low, HEADBUTTS, then whips.

Yuya holds ropes to stop, then he BOOTS back! Yuya bobs ‘n’ weaves then ROCKS Henare! Yuya whips, Henare reverses, and he catches Yuya for a BESERKER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Yuya stays in this and the fans fire up. Henare growls as he storms up on Yuya, and he drags Yuya back up. Henare shouts, “I’M the future!” then whips Yuya to ropes, but Yuya FLYING FOREARMS! Both men are down and the fans rally. Yuya storms up to Henare in the corner to CHOP! Yuya whips, Henare reveres, but Yuya goes up and over to arm-drag! And then DROPKICK! The fans fire up again as Yuya roars!

Yuya aims from a corner, runs corner to corner, and he SPLASHES! Yuya reels Henare in to SAI- NO, Henare fights the suplex with elbows! Henare goes to run but Yuya reels him in, BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Henare is still in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally, and Yuya stands. Yuya goes to the apron, then a corner. Yuya climbs, and CROSSBODIES! But Henare rolls through to pick Yuya up! Pop-up, but Yuya slips out to KNEE low! Yuya runs, but into the POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up while both men are down! Henare snarls as he rises up, and he goes to ropes. Henare watches Yuya rise, and then storms over.

The two go forehead to forehead, then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally up as the two pick up speed! Forearm after forearm, and then Henare roars! Henare headbutts buckles, then comes back for more! The forearms go even faster, even harder, and then Yuya wobbles! But he comes back with a forearm! So Henare KICKS! Henare eggs Yuya on while Yuya wobbles again. Yuya steadies himself, and CHOPS! Henare snarls and KICKS! Yuya goes to ropes then comes back. Yuya CHOPS at 10 minutes in! Henare KICKS, Yuya CHOPS, repeat! Yuya CHOPS and CHOPS and DOUBLE CHOPS! Henare BODY BLOWS!

Yuya drops to his knees, but Henare runs up to KICK! Yuya crawls on all fours but Henare eggs him on. Yuya grits his teeth, sits up, but into another KICK! The fans fire up and Henare eggs Yuya on more. Yuya sits up, blocks a kick, and rises up! He spins Henare around, full nelsons, but Henare breaks that to switch, and he goes for Ultima Nelson! But Yuya switches! Henare breaks the nelson, but Yuya GERMAN SUPLEXES! Henare rises to LARIAT! But Yuya gets right up! Henare ducks ‘n’ dodges to LARIAT Yuya inside-out! Cover, TWO!! Yuya survives, but Henare stands him up! Henare runs, into a DROPKICK!

The fans fire up while both men are down again! Henare stirs, Yuya rolls to ropes, and Yuya drags himself up. Yuya climbs a corner, and he CROSSBODIES! Down goes Henare and Yuya covers, TWO! The fans fire up again and Yuya hurries to go back up! Yuya aims, for a FROG SPLASH, onto knees! Henare saves himself and the fans rally up again! Henare goes to a corner, runs up, but into a FOREARM! Henare still runs up to SHINING WIZARD in the corner! Henare reels Yuya in, fisherman, STREETS OF- NO, Yuya escapes, gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Henare escapes now and the fans fire up!

Yuya roars as he rises up, and he drags Henare up. Yuya clinches one arm, traps the other, but Henare fights the suplex! Henare powers Yuya back towards a corner, the ref wants the break, but Yuya powers his way out! The clinch is still in, but Henare RAMS Yuya into buckles! Yuya runs up but into a BODY BLOW! HEEL KICK! Yuya PELES!! Henare staggers, runs, and RUGBY KICKS! Yuya is up, but he runs into the RAMPAGE!! Cover, TWO!! Yuya survives and Henare is stunned! The fans fire up more and Henare vows to end this! He drags Yuya up, fisherman for STREETS OF- NO, Yuya slips free again! DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!

The fans are thunderous as Henare survives! Yuya shakes his head and rises up! We hit 15 minutes and Yuya drags Henare up. Yuya traps the arms, but Henare fights the suplex! Henare HEADBUTTS, but Yuya HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger, Henare rebounds to RUNNING HEADBUTT!! And then STREETS OF RAGE!! Cover, HENARE WINS!

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

The NEVER Openweight Champion never gave up, and now he brings first place down to his level! Will Henare be able to conquer the block for the United Empire? Will Yuya still have a chance at defining the future?

G1 Climax 34 B Block: El Phantasmo w/ Jado VS Jeff Cobb!

The Headbanga is at the bottom of the block, but he hasn’t hit rock bottom just yet. Is there a chance he can fight his way back up? Or will he just take a Tour of the Islands on his way down?

The bell rings and ELP just sits in his corner. The fans rally up for “E L P! E L P!” but Cobb walks over to him. Cobb offers a hand, and ELP takes it. Cobb helps ELP stand, and Cobb says, “Ganbatte. <Give it your all.>” ELP nods, and then rolls Cobb up! TWO! ELP gets moving, he sunset flips, but Cobb drags ELP right up! Cobb shoves ELP, then runs him over on the rebound! The fans cheer, and Cobb deadlift suplexes ELP! ELP slips free, shoves Cobb, and then runs to RANA! Cobb tumbles out, ELP builds speed! ELP DIVES onto Cobb and sends him into railing! The fans fire up and ELP hurries back in!

ELP builds speed again, and DIVES into a haymaker! Cobb intercepts ELP this time, then drags him out to a suplex! But ELP slips free again, and POSTS Cobb! ELP then uses Cobb as a step to go up and up and to the corner, for an ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Down goes Cobb and the fans fire up! ELP rises, shakes out his legs, then goes back for Cobb. ELP drags Cobb up and into the ring, and the fans rally up behind ELP. ELP climbs the ropes, and springboards, but Cobb gets under! ELP comes back, but into a BEARHUG! And OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! ELP flounders to a corner but Cobb storms over.

Cobb HEADBUTTS ELP, ELP sits down, but Cobb stands him up. Cobb whips corner to corner, runs in, but ELP dodges the elbow! ELP returns, into an elbow! Cobb then POUNCES ELP halfway across the ring! The fans fire up and Cobb grins. Cobb storms back up on ELP, drags him around, but the ref has him hold on. The ref checks ELP, and ELP nods, he’s okay to continue. So Cobb stands on ELP’s back! Cobb uses ELP to surf, then he steps away. ELP stands in a huff, and he fires a forearm! And another! And another! ELP winds up, Cobb gets under, to URENAGE! And FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as ELP survives, and Cobb is annoyed. Cobb eggs ELP on, mocks how sad he is without the Guerrillas of Destiny. Cobb drags ELP up, ELP throws body shots, but Cobb CLUBS him down. Cobb suplexes ELP, puts him up top, and then climbs up. The fans rally, Cobb climbs, but ELP fights the superplex! ELP fires body shots, HEADBUTTS Cobb, but Cobb UPPERCUTS! Cobb climbs back up, brings ELP up, and stalling SUPERPLEXES! The fans fire up from that hard landing! Cobb crawls to the cover, TWO!! ELP survives, so Cobb GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!!

ELP is still in this but Cobb keeps his cool. Cobb tells Jado that ELP’s done, time for the tour! Cobb stalks ELP to ropes while the fans rally up. Cobb whips ELP, but ELP holds ropes! ELP runs up to RAN- NO! Cobb stops the rana to bring ELP up, but ELP sunset flips! High stack, TWO! ELP mule kicks, front kicks, and ENZIGIRIS! The fans fire up, ELP brings Cobb around to straitjacket, but Cobb fights that off. Cobb reels ELP in, TOUR- NO, ELP slips free! ELP dodges, goes up and up, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up and ELP aims from the corner! SUDDEN DEATH!! Cover, TWO!!! Cobb survives, but ELP goes to the apron!

ELP goes up the ropes to springboard, SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Cobb is still in this but the fans rally behind ELP! ELP drags Cobb up, reels him in, but Cobb fireman’s carries! F5 THOUSAND!! Both men are down again and the fans rally. Cobb grits his teeth and rises up. Cobb and ELP stand, and ELP wobbles a bit. ELP fires a forearm, but Cobb gives it back. ELP falls over! Jado coaches ELP, and Cobb says ELP can’t be sad forever. ELP winds up to ROCK Cobb! Cobb ROCKS ELP! ELP sits down, the fans fire up, and Cobb tells ELP to put some stank on it! The fans rally, ELP goes to ropes.

Cobb says, “Screw your friends!” ELP throws off the elbow pads, slaps himself to fire back up, and then ROCKS Cobb! Cobb ROCKS ELP! ELP grins, winds up, and ROCKS Cobb! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, then ELP body shots! Cobb ROCKS ELP again! Cobb runs, ELP BOOTS him! ELP runs but Cobb BODY CHECKS him! ELP staggers, but he drops down, then DROPKICKS! Both men fall and the fans fire back up! ELP kips up and the fans cheer more! ELP hobbles to a corner, runs in at Cobb, and forearm SMASHES! ELP whips, Cobb reverses, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving!

ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard, into the TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, Cobb wins!

Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ELP earns 0)

Cobb helped ELP find that fire again, but then had to snuff it out. ELP falls to last place, will he have to settle into spoiler mode now? As for Cobb, could he be the one to conquer the block for the United Empire?

G1 Climax 34 B Block: Hirooki Goto VS Ren Narita!

The Fierce Warrior and the Souled Out Son of Strong Style are in the thick of it at 2-2, and the block is slowly sorting out. Can Goto #TurnItAllAround and head for the top? Or will Ren find a way to stack the deck so high that Goto can’t #GetBackUp?

Surprisingly, Ren doesn’t attempt any cheap shots during the introductions. Because he waits until Goto’s put his staff and jacket aside! The ref reprimands as Ren knees low, then CLUBS Goto down. The bell rings as Ren stomps away on Goto and the fans boo. Ren runs, but Goto blocks the boot! Goto swings but Ren CLAWS the eyes! Ren runs again, but gets run over! The fans cheer as Goto stomps away on Ren now. Goto CLUBS Ren, fires forearms, then whips. Ren holds ropes and bails out, and Goto dares him to come back. Ren paces around the outside, wants Goto to stay back, and then he slides in. But then Ren slides back out.

The ref keeps Goto from going after Ren, so Goto sits down cross-legged! The common bond between them is The Wrestler, Katsuyori Shibata, and perhaps Goto is trying to remind Ren of that. Ren still paces, so Goto rushes out! Ren slides in, builds speed, and he BOOTS Goto from the apron! Ren goes out to fetch Goto, and POSTS him! The fans rally for Goto but Ren drags him up. Ren whips Goto hard into railing! Goto slumps down and the ref has Ren back off. Ren grabs Goto’s own staff and uses it to CHOKE him! The fans boo, Ren lets go, but then he mocks Goto with his staff. Ren puts it aside, to then grab at the ring bell!

Timekeeper Abe-san grabs the bell, too, and then the ref! They tug-o-war with Ren, so Ren SHOVES the ref down! Ren grabs a chair, and he JAMS Goto in the head! Goto falls over, and then his staff falls on him! Insult to injury, and Ren tells the ref to count. The ref reprimands Ren, makes sure Goto is okay, and then starts the count. Goto stirs at 4 of 20, slowly rises, and Ren smirks as Goto crawls. The count is 10 of 20, then climbs to 15! Goto stands, staggers in and is safe at 16! The fans cheer, but Ren grabs the legs! CATAPULT GUILLOTINE with the ropes! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Ren drags Goto back up.

Ren whips Goto to ropes, and NECKBREAKER DROPS! Cover, TWO! Ren clamps on a chinlock! Goto endures the knee digging in his back, but Ren pulls him back harder! Goto kicks forward, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, but then Ren CLAWS at  Goto’s face! The ref counts again, but Ren lets go at 4. Ren gets in the ref’s face, then he drags Goto up. Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Ren CHOKES Goto to the corner! The ref counts, Ren lets off at 4, and then he whips corner to corner. Goto reverses, runs up, but Ren BOOTS him! Ren runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! Down goes Ren and the fans fire up!

Goto drags Ren up, fires forearms, and has him in the corner. Goto whips, runs in, and MURAMASAS! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Ren stays in this but the fans rally behind Goto. Goto drags Ren up, but Ren fights the fireman’s carry! Ren clamps on with a SLEEPER, but Goto RAMS him into the corner! Goto fires elbows, then BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! Ren survives but the fans continue to rally for Goto. Goto drags Ren up, fireman’s carries, but Ren slips free, and CHOKES him! The ref counts, Goto breaks free, but Ren clinches! EXPLODER! Both men are down again, and fans rally as they go to corners.

Ren runs up, ELBOWS Goto, then goes side to side to JUMP KICK! Then Ren reels Goto in, HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! But into a GUILLOTINE NECKLOCK! Ren has the body scissors but Goto has the fans rallying for him. Goto fights around, but Ren pulls on Goto’s neck! Goto starts to fade! The ref checks him, but Goto gets a second wind, and reaches the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Ren lets go in frustration. Ren then goes to the apron, and grins as he climbs the corner. HELL’S- NO, Goto dodges, but runs into a low knee. Ren runs, into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up while Ren writhes!

Ren scrambles to ropes while clutching his neck. The fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Goto crawls over, drags Ren up, and ROCKS him with a forearm! Ren falls over, but Goto drags him back up. Ren swings but Goto DECKS him first! Cover, TWO! Ren holds on but Goto drags him up. Goto fires a flurry, but then Ren catches him to a SLEEPER! Goto endures, reaches out, and he THROWS Ren off! Ren gets up, DOWN TO DIE! Ren goes to the apron after that knee drop, then flops to the floor. The ref checks Goto, but then Ren grabs the staff! The fans boo and the ref stops Ren, and then Goto CLUBS Ren!

Goto whips Ren corner to corner but Ren reverses. Goto comes back, but Ren sends him into the ref! Then Ren CLAWS Goto’s face! The fans boo, but Ren goes for the pushup bar! Ren grins, but Goto has his staff! Now it’s an even fight, the kind Ren hates! Ren and Goto circle, the fans fire up, and staff clashes with bar! Goto hits Ren low, then CLUBS him down! The fans fire up and Goto drags Ren up. Fireman’s carry, but Ren slips free, and again shoves Goto at the ref! But Goto stops himself, and then blocks a low blow! Goto HEADBUTTS Ren, and Ren drops to his knees. Goto stands Ren up, to HEADBUTT again!

Ren again drops to his knees, so Goto HEADBUTTS over and over! The fans fire up with each one, then Goto runs, to LARIAT! The fans fire up with Goto and he hurries to bring Ren back up. Goto dragon sleepers, but Ren grabs the ref! Reh MULE KICK LOW BLOWS! And then KNEES Goto in the face! DOUBLECROSSER!! Cover, REN WINS!

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

The fans are stunned silent, upset by this upset victory. Ren gets away with another underhanded victory, will he cheat his way into the Climax? As for Goto, is there still hope for him to #TurnItAllAround in the second half of this round robin?

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

As it stands, the Don Callis Family’s Alpha has a clear path to the top to become the B Block’s Alpha! However, the top dog of the War Dogs stands in his way. Will Konosuke be able to take down the IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion? Or will we see that NJPW does need The Rebel?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Red Shoes assesses the chanting, and the “TA-KE-SH’TA! TA-KE-SH’TA!” is clearly stronger. Konosuke and Finlay circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Konosuke’s height helps him power Finlay back, but he still pulls hair. Finlay pulls hair, Red Shoes reprimands them both, but the two egg each other on. Konosuke leans against Finlay as they’re on ropes, then lets go. Finlay also lets go, but then Konosuke ROCKS Finlay with a forearm! The fans cheer, Finlay swings but Konosuke dodges. Konosuke ROCKS Finlay, headlocks him, but Finlay powers up and out, only for Konosuke to run him over!

Things keep moving, Finlay drops then jumps, into a CHOP! And SHOTGUN BOOT! Konosuke says he’s not just taller, he’s smarter than Finlay. Konosuke then snapmares Finlay into a chinlock. Finlay pries at the hold, but Konosuke shifts his grip. Finlay fights up, snapmares, but Konosuke holds onto the chinlock! Gedo protests that Konosuke’s really using a choke but Red Shoes says it’s not. Finlay fights up in the chinlock, but Konosuke whips him to the corner hard! Konosuke then storms up, but Finlay SPITS at him! So Konosuke ROCKS him with a right! Konosuke wrenches, whips, but FInlat reverses.

Finlay runs up, but Konosuke BOOTS him! Konosuke goes up, but Finlay BLASTS him to the floor! The fans cheer, Finlay goes out after Konosuke, and stomps him down! Finlay drags Konosuke up, and RAMS him into the timekeeper! Abe-san goes down, is Finlay going to start bullying him now? Finlay drags Konosuke up to RAM him into more railing! Konosuke tilts back and Finlay dumps him over! Finlay flexes while fans cheer, and Finlay Too Sweets Gedo. Finlay then hops into No Man’s Land to put Konosuke’s arm through the railing. Finlay pulls on the fingers, but Red Shoes reprimands.

Finlay lets off, brings Konosuke back to ringside and ROCKS him with a forearm! Konosuke CHOPS in return! Finlay UPPERCUTS back! Finlay puts Konosuke in the ring, covers, but Red Shoes won’t count because of the shenanigans. Finlay says have some loyalty to NJPW! Red Shoes still refuses, so Finlay whips Konosuke hard into a corner! Konosuke falls over and Finlay talks trash. Finlay KNEES Konosuke in the back, clamps on a chinlock, but Konosuke endures. Finlay smothers Konosuke, Red Shoes counts, so Finlay stops. Finlay brings Konosuke up to snap suplex! Cover, ONE! The fans cheer and Finlay is annoyed.

Finlay clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and he grinds Konosuke down! Konosuke endures, even as Finlay puts all his weight on Konosuke. Konosuke fights around, the fans rally up, and Konosuke stands to throw body shots. Finlay throat chops! Finlay runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke whips, Finlay reverses, but the TAKESHITA LINE comes outta nowhere! The fans fire up while both men are down! Konosuke pounds the mat and rises up. The fans rally, Gedo coaches Finlay, but Konosuke stands first. Konosuke DECKS Finlay, DECKS him again, then baits him into a BLUE- NO, Finlay slips free to waistlock!

Konosuke fires elbows, Finlay gets under one, but Konosuke suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Konosuke grits his teeth as he rises up again. Finlay slowly rolls to a corner, and the “TA-KE-SH’TA!” chant returns. Konosuke runs up, but Finlay ducks! The knee hits buckles and then Konosuke falls out of the ring! Gedo says nice move, Finlay! Finlay grins and he goes out to start running around the ring! He comes in to CLOBBER Konosuke through the gate! Konosuke is in No Man’s Land and Gedo Too Sweets Gabe Kidd on commentary while Finlay stands on a desk!

Fans do cheer the savage Finlay as he throws up the Too Sweets. Finlay SPITS at the fans booing, though. Finlay Too Sweets Gabe, Too Sweets Gedo, and mockingly offers to Toru Yano on Japanese commentary. Finlay fireman’s carries Konosuke and starts running, but Konosuke slips free to SHOVE Finlay, into the cameraman! Konosuke probably aimed for the post but that was just as effective. Konosuke rolls into the ring, but rolls back out! The count is refreshed, and Konosuke drags Finlay to the ramp side. Konosuke goes under the ring, and pulls out chair after chair to stack on Finlay! Gedo doesn’t like where this is going!

Konosuke is perhaps bringing things back to his DDT Pro days, and he goes into the ring, to SENTON ATOMICOS onto Finlay and the chairs!! The fans go wild and Gedo is freaking out! Finlay sputters, and the fans rally as Konosuke rises again! Konosuke rolls into the ring to let the count handle Finlay. Finlay coughs and sputters while the fans cheer Konosuke. We pass 10 of 20, Gedo shouts to get up! Finlay stands, but he stumbles over the chairs! Finlay is down at 15! 16! 17! Finlay staggers up at 18 to jump inside! Konosuke FROG SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives, and this is just the first 10 minutes!

The fans are thunderous as Konosuke vows to end this! Konosuke goes up top again, for a SUPER SENTON, onto knees!! Finlay saves himself, and then he gets Konosuke up for an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and the fans fire up again! The fans rally for “TA-KE-SH’TA!” as he stirs and crawls to the apron. Konosuke clutches his back while he rests, and Finlay goes out there to meet him! Finlay fires headbutts, then reels Konosuke in. Konosuke fights the lift, and then powers up! Finlay CLUBS away on Konosuke’s back! They start trading forearms, but then Konosuke winds up!

Finlay ducks the Alpha Elbow to then POST Konosuke! The fans fire up again as Konosuke hits the floor. Konosuke clutches his arm, but Finlay puts him in the ring. Finlay reels Konosuke in, Canadian rack, CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Konosuke survives, but Finlay goes back to a corner. Finlay then storms up, brings Konosuke around, but Konosuke resists the lift. Finlay CLUBS away, but Konosuke back drops free! Konosuke winds up, Finlay dodges to ROLLING ELBOW! Konosuke goes to a corner, but he comes back to JUMPING KNEE! The fans fire up as Konosuke suplexes, but Finlay fights it! INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up again as Konosuke survives! Finlay snarls, vows to end this, and he hauls Konosuke back up. OVER- NO, Konosuke blocks the knee, trips and stacks, TWO!! Konosuke DECKS Finlay, high stacks, TWO! Konosuke DECKS Finlay again! Cover, TWO!! And we only just hit 15 minutes! The fans rally, Konosuke goes to a corner, and he takes aim. Finlay rises, but he ducks the elbow! Finlay waistlocks, Konosuke standing switches but Finlay switches back. Finlay shoves Konosuke at Red Shoes! Konosuke stops short, then dodges Finlay! Finlay stops from colliding with Red Shoes, but then dodges! Konosuke CLOBBERS Red Shoes by accident!!

The fans boo but Finlay waits to kick and reel Konosuke in. BUCKLE BOMB! And then another- NO, Konosuke slips free, kicks Konosuke away, then ROCKS him! Konosuke hauls Finlay up, LAST RIDE!! Cover, but Gedo keeps Red Shoes busy by “checking” on him! The fans boo but the Blacksmith won’t let his weapon lose! Konosuke is unsure what’s going on, but he sees Gedo pestering Red Shoes. Konosuke storms over, Gedo backs off, but Finlay grabs his shillelagh! Finlay swings, SHILLELAGH SMASH!! Now Red Shoes counts the cover, TWO!!! Konosuke survives and the fans fire up! Gedo tells Finlay to keep going, so Finlay stands up.

Finlay drags Konosuke up and reels him in, OVER- NO, Konosuke slips free, ALPHA ELBOW!! Finlay falls right over! The fans rally, Konosuke brings Finlay up and says it’s time! Konosuke whips Finlay and runs, but Gedo trips Konosuke up! Konosuke grabs Gedo by his beard! Konosuke drags Gedo up to the apron, but Finlay runs in! So Konosuke sends him into Gedo! POISON-RANA!! And then the BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but Konosuke drags him back up! Suplex and- NO, Finlay slips free! Backslide, roll through, OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay wins!

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

Gedo was once again Finlay’s insurance policy, and now there’s quite a cluster at the front of the block! Can Konosuke still establish himself as the G1’s Alpha? Or will this be the loss that costs him?

As for Finlay, Gedo brings him the IWGP Global Heavyweight title. Finlay sits up, Too Sweets with Gedo, and smirks while he has the belt on his shoulder. Finlay stands up, sets the belt down, and gets the mic. “Yamaguchi~…! F*****CK you! Hey, I got one question: Who is better than me right now?” Fans have some answers, but Finlay asks, “Who is doing the things that I’m doing? My fingerprints are all over this business. I took Jake Lee from NOAH, I turned him into a War Dog. I searched the scrap pile of NJPW and I made champions. I take guys like Moxley, Ospreay, Switchblade, and even Takeshita, and I whoop their asses and I send them back to AEW. Because that is what I do!

“See, the thing is, I run with the men that I respect. And the ones that I don’t respect, I run out. So lemme ask you one more time, who is better than David Finlay? The answer is absolutely mother effin’ nobody! And I’m just, getting, started!” Gedo takes over to tell everyone Japanese that no one does it better than Finlay in this ring. Finlay is number one around the world! Who do you think is winning this year’s G1? Naturally, it’s the Rebel, David Finlay! The fans are torn as Finlay throws up the Too Sweet. Gedo says The Rebel is taking the F over everything! Gedo needs The Rebel, NJPW needs The Rebel, and the world needs The Rebel!

Gedo drops the mic, and Finlay tells Tony Khan can send every one of his boys over, and they will lose every time! This is Finlay’s ring, his company, his Global Heavyweight Championship, and very soon, his G1. But with the second half still to go, will Finlay dominate from here on out? Or is he just one loss away from losing out on the Climax?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Evil: 5-0, 10 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 4-1, 8 points
Gabe Kidd: 3-2, 6 points
Shota Umino: 3-2, 6 points
Callum Newman: 2-3, 4 points
Shingo Takagi: 2-3, 4 points
Tetsuya Naito: 2-3, 4 points
Sanada: 2-3, 4 points
Great-O-Khan: 1-4, 2 points
Jake Lee: 1-4, 2 points

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

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

My Thoughts:

Another great round for the G1, though maybe slightly less shocking results tonight. Plus, B Block moved its traffic jam from 2-2 up to 3-2. Oleg VS Yota was great stuff, some big meaty men type stuff, but I had a feeling Yota would win. Same for Yuya VS Henare, I didn’t see the NEVER Openweight Champion losing another one. ELP VS Cobb was really good stuff, and I appreciate that Cobb is the guy to tell ELP to snap out of his funk. He of course didn’t say where the Guerrillas of Destiny all went, but he told ELP to forget them and move on. That is kinda ELP’s story now, I do hope NJPW comes up with something for ELP to do just that.

Great stuff with Goto VS Ren, and you do have to commend Ren over Evil in A Block, Ren uses less interference type cheating. When Ren cheats, it’s mostly the old fashioned sneaky low blow or weapon use. And then awesome main event of Konosuke VS Finlay, and I was personally voting for Konosuke. But Finlay winning makes sense, as he is IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion and the NJPW guy. His promo definitely calls out how he’s holding it down in NJPW, he’s loyal to NJPW, and doing his best to make NJPW better. Still unclear if he makes it to the playoffs, but B Block is getting very interesting.

My Score: 8.9/10