The New Japan Soul is burning bright!

Tonight, it’s the G1 Climax qualifier semifinal round! Things are really heating up, but can Boltin Oleg pull off a huge upset against President Ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Man Tag: Just5Guys VS Tomoaki Honma, Togi Makabe, Yuji Nagata & El Desperado; Just5Guys win.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The House of Torture; LIJ wins, by disqualification.
• Six 12 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The House of Torture; LIJ wins.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block Qualifier Semifinal: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Boltin Oleg; Oleg wins and advances.
• G1 Climax 34 A Block Qualifier Semifinal: Callum Newman VS KENTA; Callum wins and advances.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block Qualifier Semifinal: Taichi VS TJP; Taichi wins and advances.
• G1 Climax 34 A Block Qualifier Semifinal: Tomohiro Ishii VS YOSHI-HASHI; Hashi wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

G1 Climax 34 B Block Qualifier Semifinal: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Boltin Oleg!

The Ace, The Joker & The Rook are once again NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions, but they all understand there’s an even bigger prize to be won! Will Tanahashi make up for losing at Forbidden Door on Sunday? Or will Oleg get another shocker and be that much closer to the Climax?

The bell rings, and the fans rally for Oleg! Oleg and Tanahashi tie up, are in a deadlock, but Oleg uses his size to tip the scales. They end up on ropes, the ref counts, and Oleg lets off slowly. Tanahashi kicks low! Tanahashi headlocks, but Oleg powers up and out. Oleg then runs Tanahashi over! The fans fire up and Oleg brings Tanahashi up. Oleg fires forearms, whips Tanahashi to a corner, but Tanahashi comes back to dropkick a leg! Tanahashi grabs that leg to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally up and Tanahashi stomps Oleg. Tanahashi drags Oleg up, bumps him off buckles, and kicks a leg. Tanahashi puts the leg in ropes, to kick again and again!

The ref reprimands, but Tanahashi lets off with a dropkick! Oleg falls over, crawls, but Tanahashi follows. Tanahashi grabs Oleg’s leg and stomps it. Tanahashi then steps through and sits down for a toehold, then adds the other leg. Tanahashi has the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! The fans rally, Tanahashi eggs Oleg on, so Oleg CHOPS! Tanahashi holds on, Oleg CHOPS again! Oleg back strokes his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Tanahashi lets Oleg go. The fans rally as Tanahashi brings Oleg up. Oleg fires a forearm! And another! Tanahashi eggs Oleg on so Oleg keeps going! Tanahashi fires a strike fest in return!

Tanahashi runs, but Oleg DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while both men are down. Oleg shakes out the bad leg, storms his way over to drag Tanahashi up, scoop him and SLAM! Oleg runs to SPLASH down! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi is still in this but Oleg storms back up on him. Oleg drags Tanahashi up with a gut wrench! Shake, Rattle and THROW! Then a kip up! The fans fire up as Oleg storms after Tanahashi again. Oleg puts Tanahashi in a corner, fires forearms then whips corner to corner. Oleg runs in to SPLASH! Tanahashi staggers, Oleg scoops him and SLAMS him again! Then Oleg goes up and up and VADER FLOPS!

Tanahashi avoids Oleg’s impact and the fans fire up! Tanahashi rises, rallies the fans and waits on Oleg. Oleg rises, Tanahashi runs and- NO, Oleg fireman’s carries! Tanahashi slips free, and SHOTEIS! Oleg swings, but into TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi powers up again, runs, and SLINGBLADE! Down goes Oleg! Tanahashi covers, TWO! The fans fire up and Tanahashi hurries up top! Oleg stands, Tanahashi HIGH FLY ATTACKS, but Oleg catches him!! Oleg pops Tanahashi to a fireman’s carry, for a LANDSLIDE! Cover, TWO?!? Tanahashi survives and Oleg fires up! Only for Tanahashi to catch him in a victory roll! TWO!!

The fans fire up as Oleg escapes, but Tanahashi dropkicks the leg! Tanahashi runs again, but into another fireman’s carry! KAMIKAZE SENTON!! And then Oleg scoops, fireman’s carries, and KAMIKAZE SENTONS again!! Cover, OLEG WINS?!?

Winner: Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Incredible! Unbelievable! Yet, it is true! Oleg shows President Ace great respect, and even hugs the ref. Oleg is heading on, will he soon be B Block’s tenth man?

G1 Climax 34 A Block Qualifier Semifinal: Callum Newman VS KENTA!

The Prince of Pace certainly surprised a few when he took down Tokyo Pimp, Yujiro Takahashi, last round. But now, he might have to pick up the pace if he wants to get past Fang Revived. Will Callum conquer this qualifier for the United Empire? Or will Kenta make him #GoToSleep?

Kenta attacks Callum in the corner before the bell! The ref reprimands and fans boo but Kenta fires knees and KICKS! The bell rings and this is on record as Kenta KICKS Callum again! Kenta KICKS, KICKS and KICKS in the corner, then dumps Callum out. Kenta goes out to bring Callum around and whip him hard into railing! Callum even tumbles up and over into the front row! Kenta drags Callum up, brings him back to ringside, just to whip him into more railing! Callum falls in a heap and writhes. Kenta KICKS Callum again, and again, then stalks him along the way. Callum stands, Kenta CLUBS him on the back!

Kenta brings Callum back around again, and POSTS him! The fans rally for Callum and the ref wants this in the ring, but Kenta KICKS Callum more and more. Kenta then puts Callum in the ring, soaks up the cheers and jeers, then follows, only for Callum to DROPKICK him back out! The fans fire up for Callum and he PLANCHAS! Direct hit, though maybe a little high, but the fans fire up with Callum again. Callum shakes out his arms, pops a finger back in place, then stands Kenta up to fire forearms. Kenta goes around the way but Callum follows, to whip him hard into railing! Now Kenta falls in a heap.

Callum kicks at Kenta now, egging him on. Callum drags Kenta up, ROCKS him with a forearm, then follows him to the corner. Kenta kicks back but Callum fires haymakers! Callum whips again, but Kenta stops himself, only for Callum to SHOTGUN Kenta down! The fans fire up as Kenta ends up in No Man’s Land! Callum storms after Kenta as the fans rally and duel. Callum asks for some room, and fans move aside, but Kenta resists the suplex! Kenta stomps Callum’s feet, and he suplexes Callum to the bare floor! Callum writhes on the tiles while Kenta stands. Kenta then KICKS Callum while he’s down.

Kenta KICKS Callum to get him to ringside, then he KICKS him against railing! The ref finally starts a ring count, and Callum eggs Kenta on! Kenta KICKS him again, then drags Callum up. Kenta puts Callum in, which the fans applaud, and Kenta gets in the ring. Callum flounders but Kenta stalks him. Kenta KICKS Callum, stomps him, then kicks him some more. Kenta scuffs Callum then stands over him. Callum guards and kicks back, but Kenta eggs him on. Callum kicks but Kenta KICKS! And KICKS! Callum bails out but Kenta waits on him. Callum sputters and slumps over, but Kenta goes out to KICK him!

Callum still eggs Kenta on? The fans rally up and Kenta KICKS! Callum flops over but he sits back up and eggs Kenta on. Kenta CLAWS Callum’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Kenta lets off, to POST Callum again! Kenta drags Callum up as the ring count starts again. Kenta KNEES Callum, SLAPS him, then brings him around into the ring. The fans applaud, and Kenta drops a knee on Callum’s face! Kenta then drags Callum up to snapmare and knee drop again! And again! And then again! Kenta pushes Callum to a cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Kenta clamps on with a chinlock. Callum endures and the fans rally up.

Callum is turning red already as Kenta puts on the pressure! Callum still reaches out, fights his way over, and has the ROPEBREAK! Kenta lets go and Callum sputters. Kenta kicks Callum around but Callum trips Kenta! Kenta gets up but Callum fires forearms! But then Callum flops over, his legs noodles under him. Kenta KICKS! And KICKS! Kenta eggs Callum on, so Callum fires a forearm! And then another! Callum wobbles but he comes back to fire more forearms. Kenta knees low, whips, but Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to BOOT Kenta down! The fans fire up as Callum has that second wind! Kenta goes to a corner but Callum rolls and springs up!

Callum runs up to DROPKICK Kenta in the corner! Snapmare and PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Kenta is still in this but Callum keeps calm. Callum drags Kenta up, but Kenta ROCKS him with a forearm! Callum swings, Kenta shoves him into the ref! Callum ELBOWS back, but Kenta spins Callum around to reel him in. Callum fights free of the suplex, blocks a kick, and ROLLING ELBOWS! Kenta wobbles, Callum runs up, but Kenta ducks! The BOOT takes out the ref!! The fans freak out, Kenta kicks Callum low to DDT! Kenta sees he has an opening, and he goes out to fetch a kendo stick from under the ring!

The fans boo but Kenta brings the stick in. Kenta winds up and SMACKS Callum on the back! And again! And then in the front! Kenta SMACKS Callum on the back again and again, then at the side! But Callum catches the kendo stick! Kenta stomps Callum into letting go, and then he just tees off with the stick!! The fans boo as Callum’s body is marked over and over! Kenta throws the stick away as it starts to break, and then he goes to grab his Defy Wrestling Championship! Kenta gives the belt a kiss, then aims at Callum. Callum rises, but he dodges the belt shot to OSCUTTER!! Cover, but the ref still isn’t back!

Callum is stunned, he would’ve won this! Callum hurries out to fetch the ref and the fans cheer. The ref is still having a hard time shaking out the cobwebs, and Kenta LOW BLOWS Callum!! The fans boo as Kenta covers, and now the ref counts! TWO!!! Callum survives and Kenta is frustrated! Kenta aims from a corner, runs up, BUSAIKU KNEE!! Cover, TWO?!?! Callum survives again and Kenta is furious! Kenta fireman’s carries, GO TO- NO! Callum blocks the knee strike! So Kenta hits a RIGHT CROSS! And another! And another! Callum staggers, Kenta runs up, but into a JUMP KNEE! Callum runs in to HELLUVA KICK!!

Callum goes up and up and he DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS Kenta on the back!! The fans are thunderous as Callum again OSCUTTERS!! Cover, CALLUM WINS!!

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

Another incredible upset, with a shoutout to the Aerial Assassin! Callum not only pins the Defy Champion, he advances to the qualifier finals! But can Callum keep up this pace and reach the Climax?

G1 Climax 34 B Block Qualifier Semifinal: TJP VS Taichi!

The Public Enemy made it through Satoshi Kojima to make it here, but now he has the Holy Emperor in his way. Will TJP continue to punch above his weight class to get one step closer to the Climax? Or will Taichi end TJP’s Cinderella Story here and now?

The bell rings and the fans rally up and duel, “T J P! T J P!” “TA-I-CHI! TA-I-CHI!” TJP paces while Taichi stretches, and the two circle. They feel things out, tie up, and Taichi being the heavyweight, he puts TJP on ropes. The ref counts the break, Taichi lets off slowly, and the fans cheer the sportsmanship. The two reset and circle again, then tie up. TJP gets around to waistlock but Taichi switches. TJP swim moves to get an arm and wrenches it. Taichi wrenches back, but TJP rolls, spins, cartwheels and drops back to TWIST SCISSORS! The fans cheer as TJP has Taichi down on the mat and keeps on the headscissors.

Taichi fights up, pushes TJP to a cover, TWO as TJP bridges! TJP then twists again and brings Taichi back down! Taichi fights around to headscissor TJP now! TJP bridges, moves around, and he headstands. The fans cheer as TJP stays upright, but Taichi is confused. TJP then pops free, but Taichi avoids the kick! Taichi rolls TJP, ONE! TJP DROPKICKS Taichi to a corner! The fans cheer as TJP runs in to ELBOW Taichi down! TJP gets the fans fired up and then he scrubs Taichi’s face! The fans cheer as TJP goes side to side, but Taichi bails out. The fans boo as Taichi denies the wash, but TJP just waits on him.

Taichi paces around the outside, but then TJP goes for the corner! Triangle jump and- NO, Taichi avoids the dropkick! And he AX BOMBERS TJP off the apron! The fans cheer while Taichi paces. Taichi goes back to TJP, drags him up, and brings him around to whip hard into railing! TJP drops to his knees, Taichi drags him up and through the gate to SMACK him off bleachers! The fans sitting there are excited to be closer to the action, and then Taichi brings TJP around to KICK! TJP falls over and the fans cheer, but the ref reprimands Taichi. Taichi leaves TJP behind and the ring count starts.

TJP crawls his way back, passes through the gate at 8 of 20, reaches the apron at 14, and the fans rally as he pushes himself up and in at 16. But then Taichi TOSSES him back out! TJP returns but Taichi TOSSES him out again! TJP slides in, dodges Taichi, but Taichi dodges TJP! GAMANGIRI in the corner! TJP sits down, the fans rally and Taichi has the ref check TJP. The ref does check but TJP seems fine. Taichi gives TJP scrubs of his boot to the face! The fans boo but that kick pad really gets TJP! Taichi then digs his boot into TJP’s head! The ref counts, Taichi lets off, and Taichi kicks TJP around. TJP fires body shots in return!

The fans rally up as TJP ROCKS and UPPERCUTS Taichi! TJP whips, Taichi reverses and wrenches to HOOK KICK! TJP falls, Taichi covers, TWO! The fans rally up but then Taichi clamps onto TJP with a chinlock. Taichi steps over an arm to have more leverage, but TJP endures. The fans rally up. TJP fights around and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Taichi lets off and the fans applaud. Taichi paces some more, then storms back over. Taichi gives TJP more face scrubbing! Taichi runs side to side, but TJP jumps up to DROPKICK! TJP then goes up and up to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up while both men are down!

TJP and Taichi go to opposite ends, then stand up. TJP runs in, dodges Taichi and goes Spider-Man to then slide under and sunset flip! TJP then stacks Taichi, only to step over and trap an arm! TJP grabs the other, for the DARK SACRIFICE! Taichi writhes and the fans fire up with TJP! Taichi bails out of the ring and the fans rally behind TJP. Taichi rises, TJP runs corner to corner to triangle jump and DROPKICK! Direct hit this time and the fans cheer! TJP gets Taichi up, puts him in the ring, then goes up a corner. The fans rally again as TJP aims, for a FLYING FOREARM! TJP hurries to whip Taichi to a corner.

TJP runs in to BACK ELBOW, then he sits Taichi down! The fans cheer as now TJP gives some face scrubbing! TJP runs side to side, for the BOOT WASH! The fans fire up more and TJP goes back in for another round! TJP gives more scrubbing, then he runs side to side, for a BOOT WASH DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Taichi flounders, and TJP goes back up the corner. TJP aims but Taichi trips him up first! Taichi RIDGE HANDS, then climbs. Taichi fires another RIDGE HAND CHOP, but TJP wrenches an arm to a double wristlock! The ref counts, TJP slips under Taichi and SUPERKICKS the legs out!

Taichi ends up in a Tree of Woe, so TJP reels him in for a DRAPING FINAL CUT! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Taichi’s long legs give him that save, but TJP pushes him to center. TJP aims from a corner and the fans clap along, “T! J P! T! J P!” TJP aims as Taichi sits up, and he runs in to ONE BY- NO! Taichi dodges the knee! TJP BOOTS Taichi but Taichi GAMANGIRIS back! Both men fall and the fans fire up! Taichi rises, the fans are behind him now, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi gathers his energy, aims at TJP, but TJP ducks the kick! TJP drop toeholds but Taichi reels TJP into a cradle! TWO, and TJP BOOTS the Ax Bomber!

Taichi swings around but TJP gets under. TJP waistlocks, Taichi fights free, but TJP ducks the Pele! TJP gets a leg, steps over, PINOY STRETCH!! Taichi endures and the fans fire up as he fights forward! Taichi claws at the mat and reaches out, and he drags TJP along to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while TJP lets go in frustration. The fans continue to duel as TJP drags Taichi back up. TJP wrenches for an ELBOW BREAKER, then holds on to the arm. Taichi fires a forearm, but TJP wrenches for another ELBOW BREAKER! Taichi fires a RIDGE HAND, but TJP wrenches to another ELBOW BREAKER!

Taichi RIDGE HANDS, and RIDGE HANDS, and RIDGE HANDS again! But TJP’s grip does not break! Taichi RIDGE HANDS again, and then swings, but TJP gets around! IRON OCTOPUS!! Taichi powers out to DECK TJP! The ref checks TJP, but Taichi gets him up for a DANGEROUS SAIDO BRIDGE! TWO!! TJP survives and the fans fire up again! Taichi clutches his arm while he slowly sits up. The fans rally harder as Taichi paces around. TJP stirs and Taichi eggs him on. TJP sits up, into a BUZZSAW! Taichi then hauls TJP up to Alabama Lift, but TJP slips free to waistlock! Taichi gets free but TJP AX BOMBERS?!

Taichi URAKENS!! Taichi aims, but TJP SUPERKICKS first!! And then JUMP SOBATS!! Taichi roars and AX- NO, TJP catches him to a MOUSE TRAP! TWO!!! The fans are thunderous as TJP hurries to bring Taichi back up. Taichi breaks free to ENZIGIRI! TJP falls back over and Taichi hurries over. Taichi drags TJP up, runs, AX BOMBER!! Cover, ONE?!?!? WHAT?!? No one can believe it, but Taichi just gears up! TENSHO JUJIHOU!!! And then Alabama Lift, for BLACK MEPHISTO!!! Cover, Taichi wins!

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

As talented and tenacious as TJP is, he just isn’t on that higher level yet! However, Taichi shows him respect, so is there a chance TJP will get there in the near future? And as for Taichi himself, he must now take on that Kazakhstan juggernaut, Boltin Oleg! Will Taichi have a real heavyweight fight on his hands in the qualifier finals?

G1 Climax 34 A Block Qualifier Semifinal: Tomohiro Ishii VS YOSHI-HASHI!

The Stone Pitbull and Head Hunter are allies under Chaos, have been NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions together, but just as we saw with Oleg and Tanahashi, the Climax means that much more. Who will put their all into this fight to head to the final round?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two stare down. Hashi and Ishii slowly approach, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Hashi is taller but Ishii is stouter, and they each work to use those to their advantage. Ishii manages to push Hashi back a step, and then another step, and then onto the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, but Hashi ROCKS and CHOPS Ishii! Hashi CLUBS Ishii, CLUBS him again, then headlocks. Hashi grinds Ishii down but Ishii fights up. Ishii tries but can’t power out as Hashi holds tight. Ishii wrenches the headlock but Hashi just clamps it on tighter! The fans cheer as Ishii endures.

Ishii fires body shots, powers up but still can’t power out as Hashi holds tight! Ishii eggs Hashi on even now, so Hashi grinds and grinds and grinds! Ishii fights up, throws body shots, then powers out. They RAM shoulders and neither falls! The fans cheer as the teammates dare the other to bring it. Hashi runs, RAMS Ishii, but Ishii rebounds to RAM Hashi! Hashi rebounds to RAM Ishii, then he CHOSP! Hashi runs but Ishii runs him over! The fans cheer and Ishii catches his breath. Ishii kicks at Hashi and eggs him on. Hashi sits up, Ishii KICKS! And KICKS! Hashi gets on his feet but Ishii ROCKS him with a forearm!

Ishii eggs Hashi on again, then fires more forearms! Hashi leans into those like Ishii would! The fans fire up and Hashi ROCKS Ishii! Hashi whips Ishii but Ishii comes back, only for Hashi to run Ishii over! The fans fire up again while Hashi checks his neck. Hashi goes back for Ishii and kicks him around now. Hashi brings Ishii up, CHOPS, but Ishii doesn’t flinch! Ishii eggs Hashi on so Hashi CHOPS! And CHOPS! Hashi ROCKS Ishii, snapmares and KICKS! Ishii grits his teeth and the fans rally up. Hashi SLAPS Ishii! Ishii gets mad and CHOPS Hashi high! Hashi falls and Red Shoes reprimands, that was too close to the throat!

Ishii drags Hashi back up, bumps him off buckles, then CHOPS again! And again! Ishii keeps those dangerously high, then he taunts Hashi while he’s down. The fans rally while Red Shoes warns Ishii. Ishii dares Hashi to get up, then slaps him around a little. Hashi stands up, and he fires a forearm! Ishii doesn’t budge, so Hashi fires more shots. Now Ishii backs Hashi down! Hashi fires forearm after forearm, but then Ishii CHOPS Hashi down! The fans fire up and Ishii finally feels those shots. Ishii goes back to Hashi, drags him up, and CHOPS again! And again! And again! Hashi fires a forearm! Ishii CHOPS again!

Ishii keeps those CHOPS going, Hashi flops over but Ishii just stands him up for more CHOPS! Hashi sits down, but Ishii makes him stand! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! Hashi drops to his knees a third time and Ishii eggs him on. Ishii drags Hashi up, reels him in, but Hashi headlocks to fight the suplex! Hashi CLUBS, ROCKS, BODY SHOTS and CHOPS Ishii! Ishii CHOPS right back! Hashi staggers around, Ishii storms up to CHOP, ROCK and repeat! Hashi is against ropes, Ishii whips him, but Hashi dropkicks the leg! Hashi gets that leg, to DRAGON SCREW! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!

Ishii rolls to a corner while the fans rally up, and Hashi goes to the other end. Ishii drags himself up with ropes, as does Hashi. Hashi runs corner to corner to LARIAT! Now Hashi ROCKS and CHOPS on repeat! The fans fire up as the CHOPS ring out! Ishii sits down now and Hashi catches his breath. Hashi drags Ishii up, whips him corner to corner, but Ishii comes back! Hashi CHOPS, mule kicks, and turns Ishii for the NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi goes to a corner. Hashi climbs while the fans rally, and Ishii stands, into the BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ishii is still in this but Hashi stays calm.

Hashi drags Ishii up, reels him in, fisherman and- NO, Ishii fights free to wrench and SAIDO! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Ishii rises, the fans rally, and Ishii watches Hashi go to a corner. Ishii runs up to LARIAT! Hashi shoves Ishii back! The fans fire up, and Hashi CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS! Hashi CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS! They go back and forth, CHOP for CHOP, and they only speed up from there! Ishii CHOPS high, finally feels the sting from Hashi’s chops, and the fans fire up again. Ishii mockingly asks what’s up, so Hashi CHOPS again! Ishii CHOPS again, and they start speeding back up!

It’s just CHOP after CHOP and the fans rally up! Ishii eggs Hashi on while Hashi grits his teeth, and Hashi CHOPS again! The CHOPS keep going, Hashi grits his teeth again, and then they CHOP some more! Hashi is starting to back Ishii down with his CHOPS! Ishii wobbles and the fans fire up! Hashi winds up to CHOP! And DOUBLE CHOP! Hashi roars, runs, and LARIATS! But Ishii stays standing! Hashi huffs ‘n’ puffs and runs again, to LARIAT! Ishii just CHOPS, then runs, but into a LARIAT! Ishii falls, springs up, and he LARIATS! Hashi springs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men lean on each other as they fall to their knees!

The fans are thunderous while both men slump down onto the mat. Both men stir, and Ishii growls as he pushes himself up. Hashi also rises, and they each take a swing! They each duck, then Ishii fires boxing elbows! Hashi CHOPS! Ishii HEADBUTTS! Hashi runs up to SHOTGUN! Ishii gets up to SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans are thunderous again as both men stand! Hashi swings, Ishii blocks and then ducks Hashi’s backhand! Ishii runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Hashi roars and the fans are with him as he goes back for Ishii. Hashi drags Ishii up, reels him in, fisherman and KUMAGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!!

Ishii survives and the fans fire up again! The fans rally and duel as Hashi rises. Ishii follows and Hashi runs, to LARIAT Ishii down! But Ishii rises up again! Hashi runs in to LARIAT again! Ishii again falls, but Ishii again rises! The fans fire up and Hashi runs again. Ishii swings, Hashi ducks ‘n’ dodges to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Ishii is still in this and the fans fire up! Hashi rises, brings Ishii up to his feet, and then full nelsons. Hashi spins Ishii to the pump handle, but Ishii fights Karma! Ishii throws elbows, but Hashi LARIATS! Hashi resets, KAR- NO, Ishii slips free! But Hashi avoids the enzigiri! Hashi DOUBLE STOMPS Ishii on the back!

Hashi drags Ishii up again, but Ishii HEADBUTTS! Hashi goes to a corner, comes back, but Ishii gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! The fans rally while Ishii rolls away to a corner. Ishii eggs Hashi on, then runs in, to LARIAT! But Hashi rises!? Hashi blocks a lariat, ROLLING ELBOWS, and Ishii falls! Hashi drags Ishii back up, gets his knee ready and runs, but Ishii LARIATS again!! The fans are thunderous and Ishii goes back for Hashi. Ishii drags Hashi up, reels him in, lifts him up, and RUNNING POWERBOMBS! High stack, TWO?!?!

The fans are thunderous as Hashi survives all that damage! Ishii sits Hashi up to run and SLIDING- NO, Hashi dodges! CODE BREAKER! Ishii rebounds, to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!!! Hashi survives again! The fans are electric and Ishii roars! Ishii drags Hashi up, reels him back in and suplexes, but Hashi knees free! Hashi wrenches, gets around, pump handle! KAR- NO, Ishii slips free to suplex! But Hashi DDT COUNTERS!! The fans are thunderous again while both men are down! The fans rally as hard as they can while Ishii and Hashi go to opposite corners. Ishii and Hashi rise up, and Hashi roars!

Hashi runs in to LARIAT Ishii from behind! Hashi reels Ishii in now, but Ishii fights the lift! Ishii powers up to back drop Hashi away! The fans fire up but Hashi is right up! Hashi roars, and he SUPER- NO, Ishii blocks the kick to HEADBUTT!! Ishii drags himself to a corner, roars as he rises up, and the fans are thunderous again! Ishii runs but Hashi LARIATS first!! Hashi roars and he drags Ishii to his feet! Hashi reels Ishii in, hoists him up, but Ishii back drops, only for Hashi to make it a DESTROYER!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Ishii survives and the fans are electric! Hashi stays cool and watches Ishii slowly sit up.

Hashi powers up his arm, runs, and he LARIATS Ishii down!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Ishii survives again but Hashi just feeds off the energy of Korakuen Hall! Hashi drags Ishii to his feet, full nelsons, then spins Ishii tot he pump handle! KAR- NO, Ishii slips free to full nelson! DRAGON SUPLEX!! Both men rise again, and Hashi runs up! Ishii ROCKS Hashi! Hashi CHOPS Ishii! Ishii PELES Hashi!! Korakuen erupts as Ishii roars! Ishii runs and LARIATS Hashi down!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Now Hashi survives, but Ishii vows to end this! Ishii suplexes, but Hashi slips free! DRAGON SUPLEX! Ishii rises, into the SUPERKICK!

Ishii just runs!? Hashi SUPERKICKS! And ROUNDHOUSES! And hops on, for EASY PICKINGS!! But Hashi knows that’s not enough, he has to top it off! Pump handle and KARMA!!! Cover, HASHI WINS!!

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

A powerful showdown between teammates, and in the end, the Head Hunter was able to break through the Stone Pitbull! Ishii will miss out on the G1, but will there be something for him down the line?

As for Hashi, he gets the mic to say, “Ishii-san. Thank you very much. Sometimes, words find a way into people’s hearts. And a few words have that power. Ishii doesn’t say much backstage, but when he has talked to me, it has been something inspiring and profound. It is because of Tomohiro Ishii that Yoshi-Hashi is here today.” The fans cheer, and Hashi says that he has seen Ishii walk through the darkness and still carry a light. So that has inspired Hashi to move on to the G1 Climax. He hopes to face Ishii again some time, but for now, Hashi steps forward to the future. Some might not like it, but he will keep marching forward.

Hashi wants us to know that there was a point where he, Ishii and a few others, who he will not name, had to make a decision. But that next step is in the Tokyo Budokan on Friday! Hashi promises victory to earn his way into this year’s G1! So he hopes everyone will watch him then, and see what he can truly do! The Head Hunter is determined, will he always #GetBackUp until he has reached the top?

My Thoughts:

A great return to the New Japan Soul series, and while I didn’t cover the matches, I did appreciate they pulled a little something special with the LIJ VS House of Torture matches tonight. It was meant to be back-to-back Six Man Tag matches, but of course the House couldn’t let LIJ win cleanly so Evil’s trio stormed out there and beat up on Titan, Hiromu & Yota. That brought out Naito, Takagi & Bushi, Takagi was the one to make the challenge for the much bigger Twelve Man Tag, and that was fairly chaotic, but of course LIJ won again. And it seems that on July 5th, the New Japan Soul finale, we’re getting LIJ VS LIJ, Team Hiromu VS Team Naito to perhaps help tease some things in terms of the world title and the G1 Climax.

Speaking of the G1, great qualifiers tonight. Great surprise results in Oleg overcoming Tanahashi and Callum overcoming Kenta, this is definitely Tanahashi as President Ace saying the younger generation is ready to move up. Though at the same time, they do the right move in storytelling by having TJP not get the surprise victory. TJP’s story is struggling to win in much of anything while trying to be new team captain for The United Empire. TJP did great tonight, of course, but it shows that he’s still falling short of the example set by Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher, and even the singles champions within the group, Henare, Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb.

Ishii VS Hashi was an awesome main event, and being that they’re good friends and teammates, they know each other so well and were referencing that from start to finish. Ishii is great, but Hashi is essentially the face of perseverance in NJPW, and he has for awhile now been on that push a veteran gets after sticking it out for so long. Both Oleg VS Taichi and Hashi VS Callum will be great finals, great generational match-ups, and I’m rather torn on who gets in. I feel like it’d be more exciting for NJPW fans if Oleg gets a third upset in a row while Hashi gets a win over the younger, faster guy.

My Score: 8.9/10