Who feels great after round eight?

The G1 Climax keeps heating up, and now we see Heat Storm battle Gene Blast once again! Who stays fired up as B Block hits round 8?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Katsuya Murashima; The United Empire wins.
• Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
• Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS EVIL & Dick Togo; Shota & Honma win.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block: Boltin Oleg VS Konosuke Takeshita; Oleg wins.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block: HENARE VS Ren Narita; Ren wins.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block: Hirooki Goto VS El Phantasmo; ELP wins.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block: Jeff Cobb VS David Finlay; Finlay wins.
• G1 Climax 34 B Block: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Zack Sabre Jr: 6-2, 12 points [PLAYOFF BERTH]
Evil: 5-3, 10 points
Tetsuya Naito: 5-3, 10 points
Shingo Takagi: 4-4, 8 points
Great-O-Khan: 4-4, 8 points
Jake Lee: 4-4, 8 points
Sanada: 4-4, 8 points
Gabe Kidd: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Shota Umino: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Callum Newman: 2-6, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

Here are the current B Block standings!

Jeff Cobb: 5-2, 10 points
Ren Narita: 4-3, 8 points
Hirooki Goto: 4-3, 8 points
Yota Tsuji: 4-3, 8 points
David Finlay: 4-3, 8 points
Konosuke Takeshita: 4-3, 8 points
Henare: 3-4, 6 points
Yuya Uemura: 3-4, 6 points
Boltin Oleg: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
El Phantasmo: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

G1 Climax 34 B Block: Boltin Oleg VS Konosuke Takeshita!

While the Kazakh Juggernaut is out of the running, the Don Callis Family’s Alpha is still an outside shot. Can Oleg keep Konosuke from making the playoffs? Or will Konosuke break through The Bars and stay in the race?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They feel things out, tie up, and Oleg keeps Konosuke away from his legs. They reset while the fans cheer, and Oleg shoots around to waistlock. Oleg brings Konosuke down but Konosuke stands up and turns around. They clinch, go around, and Konosuke tries to arm-drag but Oleg stays up! Oleg waistlocks but Konosuke goes to ropes. The fans cheer, the ref counts the break, and Oleg lets off cleanly. The fans cheer more as Oleg and Konosuke reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock at center. Oleg powers Konosuke back step by step, but Konosuke puts Oleg on ropes.

The ref counts, Konosuke lets off slowly, but he ROCKS Oleg with a forearm! The fans are torn but Oleg clinches to BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up as Konosuke tumbles out of the ring! Oleg waits on Konosuke and Konosuke goes around the outside. Konosuke rolls in, just to roll right back out. Oleg stays cool as Konosuke paces around the outside. Oleg watches Konosuke closely, so Konosuke stays back. Konosuke dares Oleg to come get him, so Oleg slides out, only for Konosuke to slide in! Oleg storms up to the apron but Konosuke BOOTS him down! Konosuke builds speed and FLIES! Down goes Oleg and the fans fire up!

Konosuke nods and stands up to bring Oleg up. Konosuke brings Oleg onto the apron, for an ARPON DDT! Oleg rolls into the ring, Konosuke rolls in from the side, and the fans rally up. Konosuke storms over to Oleg, sits him up and traps an arm before clamping on a chinlock. Konosuke wrenches Oleg’s neck, but Oleg endures and reaches out for ropes. Konosuke traps that other arm, it’s almost a straitjacket. But Oleg fights to his feet, and he throws a BODY BLOW! Oleg whips but Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges and TAKESHITA LINES! The fans fire up as Oleg falls down! Konosuke gets the fans to rally up more, then he goes back to Oleg.

Konosuke kicks Oleg around, eggs him on, and Oleg sits up to fire a forearm! And another! Konosuke comes back to fire a forearm! Konosuke whips, Oleg reverses, but Konosuke blocks! Oleg still pulls Konosuke in for a lift and SIDE SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oleg rises, Konosuke follows, and Oleg stalks Konosuke to a corner. Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, CHOPS him, then whips corner to corner. Oleg runs in to STINGER SPLASH! Oleg keeps moving, and he CLOBBERS Konosuke! Then he SPLASHES DOWN! Cover, TWO! Konosuke stays in this but the fans rally for Oleg as he rises again.

Oleg gut wrenches Konosuke but Konosuke’s tall. Konosuke stands while he CLUBS Oleg’s leg. Then Konosuke wrenches free, and he ROCKS Oleg with a forearm! Oleg goes to a corner, Konosuke runs in, but Oleg stops the knee to SLAM Konosuke back down! Oleg stomps Konosuke, then runs to go up and up, only for Konosuke to CLUB him on the back! Konosuke brings Oleg off the corner in a BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! The fans fire up and Konosuke rises. The fans get louder as Konosuke drags Oleg up and reels him in. Oleg fights the suplex, and then tries to suplex back! They fight for control, and Konosuke manages to suplex Oleg up and over!

The fans fire up, Konosuke roars as he rises, but so does Oleg! Oleg gut wrenches to Shake, Rattle and THROW! The fans fire up more as Oleg kips up! Oleg storms over, goes up and up and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Konosuke survives but the fans rally for Oleg. Oleg aims as Konosuke rises, and runs in, to DOUBLE LARIAT! Both men stagger, come back, and DOUBLE LARIAT! Konosuke staggers to a corner, comes back, and DOUBLE LARIAT! Konosuke drops to a knee! Oleg roars, runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke runs, but into a LARIAT!! The fans are thunderous as Oleg fireman’s carries!

Konosuke fights but Oleg still POINT-BLANK KAMIKAZES! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans are thunderous and Oleg roars again! We pass 10 minutes as Oleg fireman’s carries, but Konosuke slips free to GERMAN SUPLEX! Konosuke stands, but so does Oleg! Oleg GERMAN SUPLEXES! Oleg rolls to a corner but Konosuke stands back up! Konosuke storms after Oleg, to GERMAN SUPLEX!! Oleg flounders, Konosuke drags himself up with ropes, but then Oleg is back! GERMAN SUPLEX!! The fans are fired up as both men rise! ALPHA ELBOW!! Down goes Oleg! Konosuke vows to end it now!

But then Oleg shoots around! HIGH ANGLE GERMAN!! The fans are thunderous seeing Konosuke be flipped upside-down onto his face! And then Oleg SHOTGUNS!! Cover, ONE?!? The fans are electric as Oleg fireman’s carries Konosuke! But Konosuke slips free, rolls Oleg up, TWO! POWER DRIVE- NO, Oleg blocks the knee! Konosuke HEADBUTTS, ROCKS and whips, but Oleg reverses! Konosuke leaps, into the fireman’s carry! F5!! Konosuke rises, Oleg fireman’s carries again! KAMIKAZE ROLL!! Cover, OLEG WINS!!

Winner: Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Konosuke earns 0)

What an upset! Though, that’s been the whole story of Boltin Oleg’s first G1! He may not be going to the playoffs, but will this loss be what keeps Konosuke from the Climax?

G1 Climax 34 B Block: HENARE VS Ren Narita!

The Face of Fury is on the bubble, but he could easily swap places with The Souled Out Son of Strong Style. Will Henare Rampage his way up the block? Or will Ren stack the deck and steal another one?

Oh but of course Ren has to attack during Henare’s entrance! He attacks from behind, and he CLUBS Henare along down the ramp! Ren blindfolds Henare with his own half-mask! Ren SMACKS Henare off the apron, the ref reprimands, but Ren pushes Henare into the ring. The fans boo, the bell rings, and Henare swings wild! Ren kicks Henare from behind, then stomps him down. Ren stands Henare up, bumps him off buckles, then bumps him off buckles again. Henare just gets mad! He pulls the mask away and growls, but Ren CLAWS the eyes! The ref reprimands Ren but Ren whips Henare to the corner, only for Henare to come back and CLOBBER him!

The fans fire up as Henare now KICKS Ren around! And KICKS, and stomps and CLUBS away! Ren is in the corner, Henare fires off but lets off as the ref reprimands. The fans fire up, Henare runs in, but Ren dodges the knee! Ren then DUMPS Henare to the floor! Henare clutches his leg and the ref hurries out to check him. Ren stalks Henare, drags him up, and POSTS him! Henare falls over, Ren grins as he keeps after him, and Ren whips Henare hard into railing! Ren storms over, wraps the bad leg around railing, and then BOOTS the railing! Henare hobbles, the fans rally, and the ref wants this back in the ring.

Instead, Ren pushes his way into No Man’s Land, and he bullies Abe-san. Ren pushes Abe over to take the ring bell hammer, but then really just wants the chair. The ref is busy helping Abe-san so Ren JAMS Henare’s leg with the chair! The fans boo but Ren gets away with it. Henare clutches his leg while Ren takes a lap to flip everyone off. Ren comes back around, rolls into the ring, and the ref starts a ring count. Henare drags himself up with railing while the fans rally for him. Henare hobbles but we’re already at 10 of 20. Henare makes it to ringside at 12, hobbles in at 14, but Ren stomps away! The ref reprimands, Henare’s in the ropes.

Ren drags Henare around to put the bad leg on the ropes, then he HIP DROPS it! Henare writhes, the ref reprimands, but Ren drags Henare to his feet, just to trip him! Ren clamps on a toehold, and he twists the foot! Ren steps over to have more leverage, then he ties the legs up! Henare endures the Indian Deathlock, and he can’t sit up to hit Ren! Ren mocks the Haka and laughs at Henare! Henare flails, reaches out, crawls back, and has the ROPEBREAK! Ren puts on the pressure until the ref counts 4. Ren stomps Henare as he lets off, then he drags Henare up. Henare fires body shots in return!

Ren CLAWS Henare’s face, then scrapes Henare’s face off the ropes! The fans boo but Ren runs, and he BOOTS Henare down! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Ren is annoyed with the ref. Ren drags Henare up, clinches, but Henare fights the lift. Henare CLUBS away on Ren, but Ren kicks the bad leg! Ren runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Henare still scoops him for a BERSERKER BOMB! The fans fire up and Henare growls as he storms over to Ren. Henare drags Ren up to fire forearm after forearm! Ren ends up in a corner, Henare whips corner to corner, then he runs in. Ren BOOTS, but Henare still LARIATS!

Henare fireman’s carries, for the WASTELAND SLAM, and the SENTON! The fans fire up, Henare stands and KICKS! Ren falls right back down! Cover, TWO! Ren stays in this but Henare stays focused. Henare drags Ren up, LARIATS, and Ren drops to his knees. Henare drags Ren back up, and he LARIATS again! Ren falls back down and the fans fire up! Henare drags Ren up one more time, but Ren CHOKES Henare! Henare breaks free and BODY BLOWS! Henare gives a real Haka and the fans fire up! Henare roars, runs, but Ren catches him for a T-BONE! Both men are down, and they go to corners.

Ren rises, runs corner to corner to ELBOW! Ren goes side to side to JUMP KICK! Then Ren reels Henare in to HALF HATCH! Bridging cover, TWO! Henare stays in this and the fans rally back up. Ren drags Henare up, runs, but Henare stops the knee! Henare throws Ren back but Ren ducks the haymaker to drop toehold into a KNEEBAR! Ren grapevines around the leg while fans rally for Henare! Henare endures, reaches out, and the fans rally harder! Ren pulls on the leg with all his might, but Henare pushes forward for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Ren lets go in frustration. But Ren vows to end this, and he goes to a corner.

Ren climbs up to the top, Henare stands, but Henare avoids the flying knee! Henare swings, Ren bobs ‘n’ weaves, then CLAWS the eyes! Ren throws a haymaker, but that hurts his hand! Henare then LARIATS Ren down! The fans fire up while Ren rolls to a corner. Henare growls, rises up, and he runs in to SHINING WIZARD in the corner! Henare whips Ren, pops him up, but Ren slips out of the fireman’s carry! Ren waistlocks, Henare switches and full nelsons, but Ren grabs the ref! The fans boo, the ref breaks free but then so does Ren, so the ref accidentally SLAPS Henare!! The ref apologizes, but then Ren SHOVES Henare into the ref!

The ref goes down, Ren CHOP BLOCKS Henare in the leg! And then Ren grabs his pushup bar. The fans boo, but Henare dodges the bar, feints a kick, and then he BOOTS the bar into Ren’s head! Ren staggers back, rebounds, and Henare POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS! Cover, but no ref to count! Henare would’ve won and now he’s frustrated. Young Lions help the ref and Henare calls to him. But Ren gets the pushup bar again! Ren SMACKS the bad leg!! And then KNEEBAR!! Henare flails, but Ren has the grapevine! Ren pulls on the leg, the fans rally for Henare, and Henare fights around! Henare powers his way to getting behind Ren!

Henare pries Ren free with a waistlock, then has ULTIMA- NO, Ren mule kicks the leg! DOUBLE- NO, Henare slips free! RUGBY KICK! And RAMPAGE!! Cover, TWO!! Ren survives but the fans fire up for Henare! Henare slaps the bad leg into working and vows to end this! Henare drags Ren up, fisherman and- NO, Ren cradle counters, only for Henare to block that! Henare powers through to STREETS- NO, Ren slips free again! Ren shoves Henare at the ref, but Henare avoids knocking the ref over! Ren LOW BLOWS from behind!! And then DOUBLECROSSER!! Cover, Ren wins!!

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

Another round, another way to cheat a win! The Face of Fury’s path to the playoffs was just blocked off, will Ren make sure B Block belongs to The House of Torture?

G1 Climax 34 B Block: Hirooki Goto VS El Phantasmo w/ Jado!

The Fierce Warrior is on a roll after getting through The Rebel, but he has to keep that fire burning! Will Goto #GetBackUp to the Climax? Or will the Headbanga spoil those chances now that he has nothing to lose?

The bell rings and the fans fire up as the two stare down. The two circle, and ELP offers a handshake. Goto takes it and the fans cheer. The two tie up, Goto powers ELP to ropes and the ref calls the break. Goto lets off cleanly and the fans cheer. The two reset and tie up again, and are in a deadlock. Goto powers ELP back but ELP puts Goto on ropes. The ref calls the break, ELP pats Goto on the shoulders, and the fans cheer. The two reset again, tie up, and ELP headlocks. Goto powers up and out to then headlock back. ELP powers up and out, but Goto runs him over! The fans cheer, Goto keeps moving, but ELP drops down to then DROPKICK!

ELP handsprings up while Goto is down! The fans cheer, and ELP drops a knee! Cover, TWO! Jado coaches ELP to keep going and he brings Goto up. ELP snapmares Goto, drops a knee on Goto’s face, then drops another, then another! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Goto sits up while ELP stays cool. ELP drags Goto up, fires a forearm, then another! Goto fires back, they go back and forth, and ELP whips. Goto reverses but ELP holds ropes. Goto runs up to LARIAT ELP up and out! The fans cheer, and Goto goes out to fetch ELP. Goto brings ELP around to throw into the ring and the fans applaud. Goto steps in, covers, ONE!

Goto drags ELP around, brings him up, and whips him to ropes. Goto ELBOWS ELP down, covers, TWO! The fans cheer again, and Goto clamps onto ELP with a neck wrench. Goto changes directions, then he shifts to a chinlock. ELP endures the knee in his back, but Goto ELBOWS him in the head! ELP crawls to ropes but Goto pursues. Goto CLUBS ELP, but ELP frowns. ELP stands but Goto CLUBS him again. Jado coaches ELP to fight back, so ELP fires a forearm! Goto CHOPS ELP and ELP goes back to the ropes. Goto CLUBS ELP, whips him, but ELP holds ropes to stop himself. ELP BOOTS Goto, then DUMPS him out!

The fans cheer as ELP PLANCHAS! Down goes Goto and the fans fire up! We pass five minutes, and ELP goes up a corner! ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Down goes Goto again and the fans fire up! ELP rises and the fans rally even harder! ELP hobbles over to Goto, and drags him up as the ring count starts. ELP puts Goto in at 6 of 20, then climbs up to SWANTON BOMB! ELP keeps moving, LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Goto stays in this but ELP goes to a corner. ELP tunes up the band and the fans clap along. Goto rises, and he blocks Sudden Death! Goto waistlocks, ELP fires elbows, then runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT!

The fans fire up while both men are down, and Jado coaches ELP. Goto rises, he fires forearms on ELP, then whips him to a corner. Goto runs in to MURAMASA! And then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as ELP stays in this, and Goto brings ELP up. ELP fights the fireman’s carry with a facelock, then he CLUBS Goto! And ROCKS Goto! Goto hits back, they go back and forth with forearms. ELP gets the edge, but Goto spins him into URA GTR! Goto runs to LARIAT ELP inside-out! Cover, TWO! ELP survives and the fans cheer while Goto stands. Goto drags ELP back up, dragon sleepers, but ELP snapmares free!

ELP mule kicks, then he reels Goto in! ELP tucks the arms, but Goto wrenches free to ROCK ELP! ELP drops to his knees, but he rise sup. Goto fires another forearm, but ELP gives it back! They go back and forth again, and ELP has to drop back to the corner. Jado says to fight back, and ELP shakes the ropes! The fans rally and Goto eggs ELP on. The forearms fly back and forth again! Goto gets the edge, he ROCKS ELP again and again, but ELP ENZIGIRIS! ELP runs, but Goto follows! ELP ducks the lariat to LARIAT back! The fans fire up while both men are down! Jado pounds the apron and the fans clap along.

ELP crawls to a corner, Goto goes to the other. ELP runs in to LARIAT! ELP keeps moving, Goto follows and Goto LARIATS! Goto whips, ELP reverses, then ELP runs in, but Goto puts him in the ropes! DRAPING- NO, ELP climbs the corner to get up and over! ELP shoves Goto into buckles, then puts him in ropes! ELP steals DRAPING SHOTO!! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but ELP hurries to suplex! BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Goto is still in this so ELP stays on him! Straitjacket, torture rack, and BRAIN SALAD! ELP goes to a corner, climbs up, and THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans are thunderous!

The fans rally up as ELP goes to a corner. ELP tunes up the band! Goto doesn’t sit up, though, so ELP storms over to slap him around. ELP tells Goto this is the G1, and he drags Goto up. Goto HEADBUTTS! ELP rebounds, but into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Goto rises and ELP sits up as the fans rally harder. Goto powers up to BUZZSAW! Then he fireman’s carries again, G T W!! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and the fans are thunderous again! Goto roars, he drags ELP up, dragon sleeper for G T- NO, ELP catches it to a backslide! TWO!! Goto escapes, but SUDDEN DEATH!! ELP reels Goto in, but Goto trips him!

Goto jackknife bridges, TWO!! ELP sunset flips, TWO!! Goto cradles, TWO!! ELP ghost pins, ELP WINS!!!

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

ELP catches Goto by surprise, to where Goto doesn’t realize the match is over! The Fierce Warrior can’t believe he got caught! Will he miss out on the playoffs because of this? Can The Headbanga finish strong and spoil someone else’s chances?

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

The NJPW World Television Champion is leading the block, but the IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion is only a step behind. Will the Imperial Unit conquer The Rebel and the playoffs? Or will Finlay find a way to make himself the pack leader?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two approach. They feel things out, but Finlay moves around. They circle more, Finlay playing keep-away, and then Finlay kicks low. Finlay fires forearms, whips, but Cobb reverses to clinch! Finlay BELL CLAPS free, but Cobb whips him away. Cobb CLOBBERS Finlay, and the fans fire up. Finlay gets up to fire forearms and Gedo likes that. But Cobb just smirks. Finlay bobs ‘n’ weaves, throat chops then runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Cobb smiles. Finlay goes to the apron, Cobb storms over and drags him up. Finlay HOTSHOTS Cobb, then CHOP BLOCKS a leg!

Gedo cheers as Finlay stomps Cobb around, but he’s the only one. Finlay rains down fists on Cobb from all sides, but the ref reprimands about closed fists. Finlay insists those were open palms but they were not. Finlay hops onto Cobb to use him as a surfboard, but Cobb powers up! So Finlay HIP DROPS onto him! Finlay HIP DROPS again and again, then pushes Cobb over to cover, ONE!! And with force! The fans rally but Finlay stomps Cobb’s hands. Finlay kicks and stomps Cobb more, but Cobb just scowls. Finlay slaps Cobb, then catches him to an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! A bit double-edged given Cobb’s size, but Finlay covers, TWO!

The fans rally for Cobb, but Finlay storms over. Cobb shoves Finlay away, Finlay comes back but Cobb catches him! Finlay fights free of the clinch, but then Cobb blocks his kick! Cobb clinches for the FALL AWAY SLAM! The fans fire up while Finlay tumbles to the corner! Cobb pounds the mat and dares Finlay to get up. Finlay stands, Cobb runs him over! And runs him over again! Cobb then ducks ‘n’ dodges to “JOHN CENA!” SHOULDER TACKLE! Finlay takes a swing, but Cobb gets under. Finlay fights another lift so Cobb shoves him to a corner. Cobb runs in to UPPERCUT! Cobb then hoists Finlay up for an atomic SHOTPUT! Cover, TWO!

Finlay survives and Gedo is relieved, but the fans rally up again. Cobb waistlocks Finlay, but Finlay fires elbows. Finlay whips, Cobb reverses and scoops, ATHLETIC PLEX! Finlay flounders out of the ring, Gedo coaches him up, but Finlay clutches his shoulder. The ref starts a ring count but Cobb goes out after Finlay. But Finlay CLAWS Cobb’s face! Of course Finlay was exaggerating the arm pain. Finlay whips, but Cobb blocks! Cobb reels Finlay in, but Finlay slips free of the fireman’s carry to POST Cobb! Finlay then runs up to SPEAR Cobb through the gate! Both men are down in No Man’s Land as we pass 10 minutes.

Finlay asks if Gedo liked that, and Gedo says he did. Finlay rises, drags Cobb back up, and brings him back into the ring. The fans applaud that, and Finlay sits Cobb up to CLUB him with crossface forearms! The fans boo but Gedo cheers as Finlay keeps going! Finlay then runs to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Gedo cheers but Finlay says he’s not done! Another BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Cobb still has power to spare and the fans cheer. Gedo taunts Cobb, Finlay watches Cobb go to a corner, and Finlay runs in to UPPERCUT! Cobb staggers, Finlay reels him in, but Cobb suplexes! Finlay knees free, fires forearms, but Cobb POUNCES Finlay away!

The fans fire up as Finlay tumbles to the corner! Finlay goes to the apron, and fans rally as Cobb stands back up. Cobb hobbles his way over to Finlay, brings him to the corner, and Gedo protests as Cobb goes up! Cobb deadlifts Finlay, but Finlay slips free! Finlay CHOP BLOCKS a leg! Finlay then drags Cobb off the corner for a CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Cobb survives and the fans fire up! Finlay snarls and clutches the arm, lifting Cobb may’ve actually aggravated it. Finlay drags Cobb up, reels him in, but Cobb fights the lift! Cobb starts to lift Finlay but Finlay CLUBS away! Finlay SPITS at Cobb! Cobb ROCKS Finlay!

Finlay rebounds, into an URENAGE, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives, but the GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives again and Gedo shouts at him to get up. The fans rally as Cobb rises, and Cobb storms his way over. Tour Maker Pose, and the fans cheer. Cobb drags Finlay up, ripcord and- NO, Finlay ROCKS Cobb first! Then ROLLING ELBOWS! Finlay cravats to ACID DROP! Cover, TWO!! Finlay brought out a classic but Cobb is still in this, and we’re past 10 minutes. Finlay still feels he has this, and he drags Cobb up. Gedo says finish this!

Finlay reels Cobb in, but Cobb BACK DROPS free! Finlay staggers up, and Cobb LARIATS again! Cobb roars, the fans fire up, and Cobb drags Finlay up to reel in! TOUR OF- NO, Finlay slips free, hooks the arms, but Cobb fights the backslide! Cobb flips things around, but Finlay rolls through! Finlay lifts Cobb to POWERBOMB!! High stack, TWO! Finlay drags Cobb up again, reels him back in, and manages another POWERBOMB!! And then the suplex for OVERKILL!! Cover, Finlay wins!

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

It’s hard to say what is more shocking! The fact Finlay defeated the bigger, stronger Jeff Cobb, or that he did it cleanly! And perhaps bigger than that, Finlay now leads B Block because of it! Will he be the one with the first round bye in the playoffs? Or can Cobb turn the tide in the final round?

G1 Climax 34 B Block: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura!

In the year 2024, Gene Blast and Heat Storm are 1-1. Tonight’s main event is a pivotal tiebreaker! While Yota lost at WrestleKingdom 18, he avenged himself in the New Beginning, but will he take something more important than Yuya’s hair from him? Or will Yuya cut off Yota’s playoff hopes?

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “YO~TA! YO~TA!” Yota grins as Red Shoes assesses it is definitely more Yota than Yuya territory. The two circle, feel things out, then Yuya goes for a leg. Yota holds him off, waistlocks, but Yuya switches. Yota spins around but Yuya lets off, and the fans applaud the standoff. Yuya and Yota reset, circle, and tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Yuya waistlocks, Yota wrenches free to switch, but Yuya wrenches back to wristlock. Yota spins, slips through, half nelsons, then headlocks. Yota grinds the hold, Yuya endures and fights up, to then drop toehold. Yuya has an armlock, but Yota fights up.

Yuya wrenches and wristlocks, but Yota rolls. Yuya rolls with him! The fans cheer, and Yota goes for ropes. Yuya keeps him back, and rolls with Yota again! The fans cheer, but Yota powers his way over to the ROPEBREAK. Yuya lets off, but then whips. Yota reverses to ROCK Yuya! Yota then CHOPS Yuya at the ropes, whips, but Yuya reverses to SAYANAGI! And ARM WRINGER! The fans fire up while both men are down. Yuya catches his breath, stands up, and he basement dropkicks Yota in the arm! The fans rally, Yuya covers, ONE! Yota is tougher than that but Yuya drags him up. Yuya hammerlocks, Yota fights around, but Yuya wrangles him.

Yuya puts pressure on the hammerlock but Yota reaches back to headlock. So Yuya rolls and bridges on the hammerlock! Yuya then shifts back around, keeps on the hold, and the fans rally. Yota fights, reaches back and headlocks again, but again Yuya bridges! Yuya goes back around, the fans rally up, and Yuya SNAP LOCKS the arm! And SNAP LOCKS it again! Yota endures, even as Yuya puts on more pressure. Yota fights up, slips through, but Yuya puts the hammerlock right back on! Yota fires elbows, gets free, and runs, but into an arm-drag! The fans cheer as Yuya again has the armlock.

Yota endures, fights up, and we pass five minutes. Yota fires body shots, then DUMPS Yuya out, only for Yuya to hold onto the arm! Yuya drags Yota outside with him, and the fans rally. Yuya and Yota go around the way, and then to the other side of the ringside area. They end up by commentary and Yota pulls hair! But Yuya RAMS Yota into railing! Yuya then puts Yota in the ring, and keeps hold of the arm as he slides in. Yota fights up, but Yuya keeps on the arm. Yota fires forearms but Yuya wrenches again. Yota powers up, and he RAMS Yuya into a corner! The fans cheer as Yota gets free, and he CHOPS Yuya!

Yota CHOPS Yuya again, and CHOPS again! But Yuya puts Yota in the corner to CHOP, CHOP and CHOP! The fans fire up and Yuya whips corner to corner. Yota reverses, Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! But Yota headscissors! Yuya kips free and CHOPS! Yuya runs, but into a kitchen sink knee! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yuya goes to ropes but Yota storms over. Yota brings Yuya up, Yuya takes a swing but Yota BODY BLOWS first! And then half nelsons for a GUTBUSTER! Yota runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Yuya stays in this, and  Yota shakes out the arm while the fans rally up again.

Yota drags Yuya by a leg, then grabs the other leg. Yuya fights free and traps the arm to TWEAK it! Yuya runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Yota turns Yuya over with the BOSTON CRAB! The bad arm won’t hold on so Yota focuses on a HALF CRAB! But with that, Yuya fights forward to the ROPEBREAK! Yota lets go and the fans cheer. The fans rally behind Yota as he waits on Yuya. Yuya sits up, so Yota brings him up to reel him in. But Yuya wrenches free to go for a takedown! Yota rolls, but Yuya ROCKS him! Yuya runs, Yota BOOTS back! Yuya rebounds, into the BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER, and-

NO, Yuya avoids the stomp to shove Yota! But Yota comes back to DROPKICK Yuya! Yota runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down again! We pass 10 minutes and the fans rally up. Yuya rises first, and he storms over to Yota. Yuya drags Yota up, scoops him and SLAMS him! Yuya roars, the fans fire up more, and Yuya goes up a corner. FROG SPLASH onto knees! Yota saves himself, and he scrapes Yuya out of the ring. The fans fire up with Yota and he builds speed! Yota DIVES! Direct hit and Yuya hits railing! Yota puts Yuya back in, then SUPERKICKS! And Alabama Lift, for an ALABAMA SLAM!

Yota high stacks Yuya, TWO, but into a BOSTON CRAB! Yota sits down deep on the hold! Yuya endures, this “Young Lion hold” isn’t gonna beat him! Yuya fights over, but Yota drags him back! The bad arm is struggling, so Yota holds both legs with one arm! But Yuya fights forward and has the ROPEBREAK! Yota lets go while the fans cheer, and he takes a moment to catch his breath. Yota looms over Yuya, the fans rally up, and Yota drags Yuya up. Red Shoes has Yota back off, he needs to check Yuya first. Yuya’s arm seems to be bothering him now, did it dislocate during the match? Yuya tries to stand, but he can’t take a swing!

So Yuya HEADBUTTS instead!! Yota staggers back, and Red Shoes does check the arm now. Yota is annoyed now and he drags Yuya up to ROCK him with a forearm. And ROCK him again! Yuya staggers to ropes, but Yota puts him in a corner to CHOP! The fans rally, Yota eggs Yuya on, then ROCKS him with another forearm! And another! And another! Yuya sputters, but Yota stands him up to ROCK him again! Yota brings Yuya around, and LARIATS him right down! Yota roars, the fans fire up, and Yota drags Yuya around. We hit 15 minutes as Yota goes up and up and MAROON CRUSH! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Yuya survives, but now Yota aims from a corner! Yuya stands, into a GENE- ARM-DRAG!! Yuya snatches Yota to a ghost pin, TWO!!! Yota barely escapes and Yuya is pissed! But Yota drags him up to SLAP him! Yuya HEADBUTTS again! Yota SLAPS, so Yuya HEADBUTTS! Yota fires forearms, then reels Yuya in! Suplex and- NO, Yuya cradle counters! YUYA WINS!!!

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

What a turnaround! Just as it seemed Yuya was out of this fight, he found a way to snatch one from Yota! Does this mean the GENE1 isn’t happening this year, either?

As for Yuya, after having his hand raised, it is clear he is still in pain from that arm. He storms out to get the mic now, then storms back into the ring. “OI! Everyone, don’t get me wrong. This is a battle!” The fans applaud that, and Yuya takes a breath. Yuya admits, he “stole” this win from Yota, but he vows that he’s not giving up. He admits, he hurt his arm here tonight, but he doesn’t care. Boltin Oleg is his last opponent, and he can use that win to go to the playoffs! The fans cheer that determination!

Yuya says there’s one more thing! He doesn’t care about this talk of “new generation” and all that. He alone will be what stirs up the excitement for pro-wrestling in Japan! And to do that, he has to become the strongest! He will be the one to heat things up again!

However…

There is unfortunate news. Despite his bravado at the end, Yuya was checked by NJPW Medical, and NJPW officially posted that Yuya’s arm is NOT okay. He will sadly miss the ninth and final round of the round robin, and points will be forfeited to Boltin Oleg. A pyrrhic victory tonight for the Heat Storm, when and where will we see him back in action?

Here are the current A Block standings!

Zack Sabre Jr: 6-2, 12 points [PLAYOFF BERTH]
Evil: 5-3, 10 points
Tetsuya Naito: 5-3, 10 points
Shingo Takagi: 4-4, 8 points
Great-O-Khan: 4-4, 8 points
Jake Lee: 4-4, 8 points
Sanada: 4-4, 8 points
Gabe Kidd: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Shota Umino: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Callum Newman: 2-6, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

David Finlay: 5-3, 10 points
Jeff Cobb: 5-3, 10 points
Ren Narita: 5-3, 10 points
Hirooki Goto: 4-4, 8 points
Konosuke Takeshita: 4-4, 8 points
Yota Tsuji: 4-4, 8 points
Yuya Uemura: 4-5, 8 points [INJURY]
Henare: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Boltin Oleg: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
El Phantasmo: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

A great round for B Block, but a bittersweet one given the ending. It’s hard to say what exactly damaged Yuya’s arm, but clearly they kept going with the plan of Yuya winning this match because that was to make things very interesting in B Block. Still great action tonight overall, and what great wins for Oleg and ELP even though they’re not making it to the playoffs. Ren of course had to cheat to win, but at least he did it all on his own. Cobb VS Finlay was great stuff, and since A Block has a clear leader with ZSJ, there of course has to be the competitive traffic jam in B Block, which is why Finlay won tonight. Three men at 5-3, four at 4-4, seeing it all come down to round nine for all of them is going to be awesome stuff.

My Score: 8.8/10