Who makes it to the playoffs for A Block?

And it all comes down to this! A Block hits round nine, and only the top three move on! Will Tetsuya Naito head for that G1 Climax Championship repeat?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Hirooki Goto & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yota Tsuji & BUSHI; Goto & Tanahashi win.
• El Phantasmo & Jado VS David Finlay & Gedo; ELP & Jado win.
• 8 Man Tag: The House of Torture VS Konosuke Takeshita & The United Empire; The House of Torture wins.
• G1 Climax 34 A Block: Callum Newman VS Gabe Kidd; Gabe wins.
• G1 Climax 34 A Block: SANADA VS Zack Sabre Jr; ZSJ wins.
• G1 Climax 34 A Block: Shingo Takagi VS Jake Lee; Takagi wins.
• G1 Climax 34 A Block: EVIL VS Shota Umino; Shota wins.
• G1 Climax 34 A Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Great-O-Khan; Khan 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
Sanada: 4-4, 8 points
Jake Lee: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
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!

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]

After the 8 Man Tag…

While The House of Torture won, that’s not good enough for them! Ren Narita attacks Konosuke Takeshita on his way out! The fans boo but Ren pushes Young Lions aside, and uses his pushup bar to CLUB Konosuke! The House gets Konosuke back in the ring to beat him down! They kick the ref out, then Ren grabs a chair! Sho & Kanemaru holds Konosuke down while Ren SMACKS away on Konosuke’s leg! The fans boo more but Ren “puts one out” on Konosuke’s knee before leaving him behind. Has the Souled Out Son of Strong Style already won his final B Block match? Or can The Alpha defeat him, even on one good leg?

G1 Climax 34 A Block: Callum Newman VS Gabe Kidd!

The Prince of Pace and the Mad Man are both out of the running, but what does that matter? This is about pride as British wrestlers! Will Havering, London be celebrating with Callum? Or will Brighton, Sussex be barking with the War Dogs?

Gabe tells everyone through the camera that he’ll beat this Ospreay wannabe, and then he’ll beat Lio Rush in DC. But wait, Callum DIVES onto Gabe! The fans fire up as Callum slides back in, waits on Gabe, and then goes up the corner to SUPER FLYING KNEE! The fans fire up more and Callum drags Gabe up into the ring. The bell sounds, Callum runs in at the corner and DROPKICKS! Callum then goes up and up and FLYING DOUBLE STOMPS! Gabe is down, the fans fire up more, and Callum calls his shot! Springboard, OS- NO, Gabe catches Callum! Gabe inverted suplexes, but Callum slips free to chicken wing!

Gabe arm-drags free, blocks a kick, flips Callum, but Callum lands out to SUPERKICK! Callum tries again, but Gabe stops him at the ropes! Callum fights but Gabe hits a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up while both men are down! Gabe sits up cross-legged, and finally takes off his merch shirt. Fans rally and duel as Gabe stalks Callum to ropes. Gabe CHOPS, CHOPS and LARIATS! Gabe runs, but Callum BOOTS the lariat! Gabe spins to LARIAT with the other arm! Cover, TWO! Gabe drags Callum right up but Callum fights the lift. Gabe CLUBS Callum, Callum trips Gabe to a jackknife bridge, TWO! Both men stand, Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges!

Callum springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Direct hit on Gabe and the fans fire up! Gabe rolls to a corner and Callum sits up. The fans rally behind Callum and he runs up to GAMANGIRI! Callum snapmares Gabe, keeps moving, and PENALTY KICKS! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Gabe stays in this and the fans rally up again. Callum rises, and he KICKS! Gabe sputters, but he sits back up. Callum KICKS again! Gabe snarls, so Callum KICKS! Gabe eggs Callum on so Callum KICKS, and KICKS, and KICKS! Gabe HEADBUTTS, HEADBUTTS, but Callum dodges the haymaker to ROCK Gabe!

Both men lean on each other, but Callum whips. Gabe reverses, Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges but then Gabe dodges the boot! Callum dodges the lariat to springboard, OSCUT- NO! Gabe blocks, suplexes, but Callum slips free! Callum waistlocks, Gabe elbows then ROCKS Callum first! Gabe whips, Callum handsprings and goes over Gabe to GERMAN SUPLEX! O’Conner Roll, TWO!! Gabe survives but the fans are thunderous! Callum ROUNDHOUSES, SUPERKICKS, and HEEL KICKS! Gabe drops to his knees, and Callum brings him up. Callum tries again, OSC- DOUBLE CHOP! Gabe then rips away Callum’s shoulder tape! PILEDRIVER!!

Gabe isn’t done, he hauls Callum up, LEG TRAP PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Gabe wins!

Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Callum earns 0)

Callum tried too hard to be like Will Ospreay, and he gets stuck at the bottom of the block! Will Callum have to prove he’s his own man if he wants to be a champion? And speaking of, will Gabe still be NJPW Strong after he faces the Bad Child at Capital Collision?

Wait, Gabe isn’t even done with Callum! He brings a chair into the ring, JAMS up the Young Lions, then sets the chair down! FULL METAL PILEDRIVER!! Gabe IS a Mad Man, what won’t he do to be THE man in New Japan?

G1 Climax 34 A Block: SANADA VS Zack Sabre Jr!

At 4-4, The Cold Skull is on the hot seat, this is a must-win situation. However, The Front Man is out in front, he’s going to the playoffs either way. But will ZSJ make sure one of his toughest rivals doesn’t make it to the next round out? Or will Sanada keep his G1 hopes alive?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two stare down. It sounds pretty even between “SA-NA-DA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” The two circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ shifts to a facelock but Sanada puts him on ropes. ZSJ turns it around, then he lets off cleanly. The fans cheer and the two reset. ZSJ and Sanada feel things out again, knuckle lock again, and ZSJ wrenches to have a straitjacket! Sanada remembers this one, he spins that around on ZSJ. ZSJ spins it back around but Sanada spins it right back on ZSJ. ZSJ bridges back, rolls, and puts the jacket on Sanada, but Sanada puts it right back on ZSJ!

The fans cheer as the two go back and forth with the straitjacket. They go around, ZSJ kneels, then sits down. ZSJ rolls back, and he puts the straitjacket on Sanada! Sanada arm-drags free, then he trips ZSJ to have a standing toehold! ZSJ flips over, reels Sanada in, only for Sanada to Bow ‘n’ Arrow! ZSJ pops right out to a cover, ONE! The fans cheer while the two have a standoff. ZSJ smirks and the two reset again. They circle, tie up, and Sanada headlocks. ZSJ powers up and out, but Sanada goes for a leg. Sanada rolls but ZSJ steps through to sit on the cover, but Sanada sunset flips! ZSJ rolls through to high stack!

Sanada rolls back to bring ZSJ into a cover, but ZSJ sunset flips! ONE and Sanada has a prawn hold! ONE and ZSJ sunset flips! ONE and it’s back to Sanada! ONE and it’s back to ZSJ! ONE! ONE! Sanada prawn holds deep, TWO!! ZSJ escapes and the fans are thunderous! The two go to corners to cool things down while the fans rally up. Sanada and ZSJ circle again, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ kicks but so does Sanada, and we have another standoff. The fans rally as the two reset, and the tie up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Sanada feels that, but he comes back to UPPERCUT ZSJ! The fans rally up as ZSJ nods.

ZSJ comes back and UPPERCUTS Sanada! The fans rally up again as Sanada UPPERCUTS ZSJ! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Sanada UPPERCUTS, repeat! Sanada UPPERCUTS and ZSJ wobbles, so Sanada UPPERCUTS again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS right back, and we pass five minutes. The fans rally as Sanada UPPERCUTS, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! The UPPERCUTS continue, but ZSJ seems to be doing as much damage to his arm from throwing them. The UPPERCUTS keep going, and Sanada staggers ZSJ with another! And another! And then another! ZSJ falls back and the fans fire up! Sanada takes a moment before going back to ZSJ.

Sanada stands ZSJ up, but ZSJ RAMS into him! ZSJ headlocks, Sanada powers out, but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! But Sanada switches that onto ZSJ! ZSJ switches it back onto Sanada! Sanada endures, then hip tosses free to DROPKICK ZSJ! ZSJ bails out while the fans fire up again. Sanada aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! Sanada encourages them to get louder so they get louder! Sanada then goes back to ZSJ, puts him in the ring, and he drags ZSJ back up. Sanada fireman’s carries, T K- NO! ZSJ lands out to NECK TWIST! Then basement dropkick! A glancing blow but the fans fire up while both men are down!

ZSJ stands, and he looms over Sanada. ZSJ drags Sanada up, chicken wings the arms, but Sanada fights the lift to arm-drag! ZSJ BOOTS Sanada, then PELES the arm! ZSJ runs, but Sanada dropkicks the legs! The fans cheer again, and Sanada storms over. Sanada drags ZSJ up to suplex him onto ropes, for MAGIC SCREW! The fans cheer again while both men are down. Sanada kips up and the fans fire up! Sanada roars, aims from a corner, and he runs up, but ZSJ ducks the Shining Wizard! But Sanada blocks the kick! ZSJ fires off SLAPPING palm strikes, but Sanada still DRAGON SCREWS the leg! The fans fire up while both men are down!

ZSJ clutches his knee while he sits up, but Sanada goes to a corner! Sanada goes up to ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees, and into an ARMBAR!! Sanada fights around, but ZSJ makes it a DISARMER!! Sanada endures and ZSJ digs knuckles in here and there. We pass 10 minutes as ZSJ has both arms! Sanada endures this modified Rings of Saturn, and then ZSJ shifts to make it CLARKY CAT!! Sanada still endures, fights around, but ZSJ gets a leg! They roll and roll and ZSJ still the arms, to go for the JIM BREAKS SPECIAL!! Sanada kicks with his legs and the fans rally as hard as they can! So ZSJ shifts with the leg and rolls Sanada into the RINGS OF SATURN!

Sanada still endures, so ZSJ shifts again, HURRAH ANOTHER YEAR!! Sanada endures being turned into a pretzel with this ground octopus hybrid, and he fights over to a ROPEBREAK!! The fans are thunderous as ZSJ lets go in frustration! ZSJ mockingly asks if Sanada’s okay, but he gets no response. So ZSJ SLAPS Sanada on the neck! And SLAPS! And SLAPS! The fans rally again as Sanada slowly rises. ZSJ KICKS him! And KICKS! And KICKS! Sanada stands, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him! Again, ZSJ’s arm feels that as much as Sanada. But still, ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ brings Sanada up to UPPERCUT but Sanada snarls!

Sanada UPPERCUTS ZSJ, then UPPERCUTS again! And UPPERCUTS again! ZSJ ENZIGIRIS! Sanada ENZIGIRIS! Sanada O’Conner Rolls, but ZSJ pops it into a REAR NAKED, but Sanada rolls through, EURO CLUTCH!! TWO!!! ZSJ escapes, Sanada runs up, SHINING- NO, ZSJ slips through, rolls Sanada to JAPANESE- NO, Sanada blocks the roll and has the SKULL END! But ZSJ rolls back to pop free and EURO CLUTCH that Sanada turns into an O’CONNER BRIDGE! TWO!!! ZSJ escapes, both men run, and Sanada dropkicks the legs out! The fans are thunderous while both men are down!

The fans rally as hard as they can for “SA-NA-DA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” Sanada stands, runs, and SHINING WIZARDS!! The fans fire up again and Sanada brings ZSJ around. We pass 15 minutes but ZSJ slips free to shove Sanada. Sanada BOOTS back, goes up, Sanada QUEBRADA and dragon sleeper! But ZSJ spins it around! Only for Sanada to spin it back! Sanada inverted suplexes, but ZSJ lands out to scoop! ZACK- NO, Sanada has the dragon sleeper! SKULL END!! ZSJ is fading but then Sanada spins him! DEAD- NO, ZSJ slips out to full nelson! Sanada elbows free, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Sanada roars!

ZSJ runs in, Sanada dodges but ZSJ bucks the O’Conner! Scoop and ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ WINS!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sanada earns 0)

And with that, not only does Sanada’s G1 ends, ZSJ solidifies his spot as A Block’s top seed! As such, he gets that first round bye! Will ZSJ be in tip top shape for the semifinals on August 15th?

G1 Climax 34 A Block: Shingo Takagi VS Jake Lee!

The Rampaging Dragon is also on the edge. Not only must he win here, he needs someone between Evil and Naito to lose! Will he at least handle his part of the mission? Or will the Smart Bastard make it all a moot point?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The “TA-KA-GI!” outweighs the “JEIKU!” but Jake lets that pass. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Jake’s height is his leverage. Jake puts Takagi on ropes but Takagi turns things around. The ref calls a break, the two let off slowly, and Takagi puts Jake’s hands down by his side, and even smooths Jake’s hair. The fans cheer as Takagi backs away to take a gentlemanly bow. Jake wags his finger, and says the bow has to be deeper. Takagi bows deeper, and Jake KICKS him down! Jake takes a bow, but Takagi’s right up. Takagi knees low, runs, and RAMS Jake! Jake doesn’t move, so Takagi runs again.

They RAM shoulders, Jake doesn’t budge, so Takagi CHOPS! Jake felt that! Takagi whips, Jake reverses but Takagi ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Jake! The fans fire up and Takagi encourages them to get louder. The fans oblige, so Takagi takes another bow. Takagi goes over to Jake, snapmares him, then drops an elbow! And another elbow! And then a SENTON! The fans cheer, and Takagi brings Jake up. Takagi KNEES Jake low, KNEES him again, then whips him to ropes, for another KNEE! Takagi reels Jake in but Jake fights the suplex! Jake turns things around, hangs Takagi out to dry, then KNEES him off the ropes!

Takagi falls to the apron then the floor, and the fans rally up! Jake goes out to fetch Takagi, and whips him hard into railing! Jake drags Takagi up, puts him on the apron, and then CLUBS, KNEES and repeat! Jake then gets space, runs up, and KNEE LIFTS Takagi down! The fans rally for Takagi while the ref checks on him, and Jake takes a lap. Jake rolls into the ring to wait on Takagi, mocking Takagi’s hand triangle pose. The ring count climbs as Takagi drags himself up with railing. Takagi stands at 10, takes a breath, but then Jake’s right after him! Jake shoves Takagi in, the fans applaud, and Jake cravats.

Takagi endures the neck wrench, but Jake snapmares to chinlock. Takagi endures, even as Jake puts on the pressure. Jake then pushes Takagi down to tell the fans to shut up with the “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi stands to throw elbows into Jake’s stomach! Jake knees low, whips, then KNEES Takagi! Jake whips and KNEES Takagi! That’s a rather Takagi move at that! Takagi sputters as he drops to his knees, and Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Takagi endures, the fans rally, but Jake drops back to have body scissors! The fans rally as Takagi fights around, then reaches out to have the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Jake lets go at 4.

Takagi sputters as he sits up. The fans rally behind Takagi but Jake talks trash on them. Jake scuffs Takagi, kicks him to a corner, then KICKS him down! Then KICKS him again! Takagi stands to fire forearms! Jake KNEES low! Takagi falls back into the corner but the fans rally up again. Jake raises his hand and roars, then he drags Takagi up. Takagi fights the lift with elbows, but Jake KNEES him low! Jake reels Takagi in, but Takagi fights the suplex to flying-mare! Takagi blocks a boot to DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Jake rolls to a corner, clutching his leg. Takagi runs up to ROCK Jake!

Takagi JABS, CHOPS and repeat in the corner! Then JAB, JAB, CHOP! The fans fire up as Jake sits down, and Takagi fires back up. Takagi drags Jake to his feet, but Jake fights the suplex! Takagi knees low, whips, but Jake KNEES right back! Takagi drops to his knees again, and Jake storms up. Jake drags Takagi up, but Takagi fights the suplex. Takagi powers up to suplex Jake up and over! The fans fire up, Takagi crawls to the cover, TWO! Jake is still in this but Takagi grits his teeth. Takagi says, “TOK-” NO, SLEEPER!! Jake has Takagi caught, but Takagi RAMS Jake into buckles! Takagi is free, but then Jake clamps back on!

Takagi THROWS Jake down, then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Takagi shouts “OI! OI! OI!” and the fans join in. Takagi drags Jake up, pump handles, but Jake fights with elbows! Takagi fires a forearm, and Jake gets in Takagi’s face. Takagi fires more forearms but Jake just gets in Takagi’s face. We pass 10 minutes, and now the forearms go back and forth! The fans rally, Takagi throws some JABS in there, then fires boxing elbows! Takagi ROCKS Jake and Jake drops to his knees! The fans fire up as Takagi stands Jake back up, only for Jake to ROCK Takagi!

Jake KICKS, but Takagi blocks! Takagi CLUBS Jake, then ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- KNEE from Jake! Takagi rounds!? PUMPING BOMBER!! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous again! Jake rolls to a corner, Takagi stands, and he copies the finger gun! Takagi runs up, but into a GAMANGIRI! Then PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Jake hauls Takagi up, GIANT BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and the fans fire up again! Jake watches Takagi stand, then KNEES him again! Jake aims now! FACE BREAK- NO, Takagi gets under the giant leg! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!

Jake goes to a corner, Takagi runs in to LARIAT! Takagi fires up and the fans are with him! Takagi puts Jake up top, climbs up after him, and SUPERPLEXES! The fans are thunderous again after that crash! They rally for “TA-KA-GI!” as he rises. Takagi headbutts the buckles, then runs to PUMPING BOMBER! Jake stays up!! Takagi runs again, PUMPING BOMBER! Jake is still up!? Takagi POINT-BLANK BOMBERS! Jake ROCKS Takagi! Takagi JABS and HEADBUTTS! Jake ROUNDHOUSES! Both men roar, PUMPING BOMBER TAKEDOWN!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Jake earns 0)

Jake is pissed and he all but shoves the ref out of the ring! But as smart as he is, as good-looking as he is, Jake must accept that he lost and could not stop The Rampaging Dragon! Takagi is right at the doorstep, will he make it into the G1 Climax playoffs?

G1 Climax 34 A Block: EVIL w/ Dick Togo VS Shota Umino!

The pressure is on for The King of Darkness. If he still wants to be in the A Block Wild Card, he has to win this. But if The Roughneck can tear him down, that’s a prize unto itself! Will Darkness Fall on the G1 Climax playoffs? Or can #SHOOTER make sure everything is NOT Evil?

Oh no! Evil & Dick drag Abe-san into the ring with them! Evil has a written statement he wants Abe-san to read! Abe doesn’t want to but Evil gets in his face about it! Fans boo but Evil tells them to shut up! Then Evil tells Abe to finally read the statement! “This is a message from Shota Umino to NJPW and the fans. Before I even started the G1 Climax tournament in A Block, I was sure to lose. Even if I beat Evil, I cannot advance. Therefore, so the fans can enjoy the playoffs, I will forfeit this match and give my points to Evil.” The fans all boo because this is so obviously a false statement!

But Evil says that’s just how it is! Too bad for Shota fans, huh? But that means Evil wins, so raise his hand! The ref refuses, but Dick raises Evil’s hand, and the fans boo. Evil says time to go, but then wait! Shota’s music hits! The Roughneck is going to expose Evil’s lies himself! And he CLOBBERS Evil & Dick at the ramp! The fans cheer as Shota kicks Evil, then whips him hard into railing! Evil drops to his knees, Shota CLUBS him, then whips him into more railing! The ref wants this in the ring, it still isn’t a match! Shota says okay, and he puts Evil in. The fans cheer, the bell rings, but then Evil bails out.

Shota pursues, CLUBS Evil, and the fans fire up as Shota puts Evil back in. Evil wants mercy, the ref wants Shota to back up, but Shota stomps Evil in the corner! The ref counts, Shota lets off at 4, and then Shota drags Evil up. Shota ROCKS Evil with a forearm, CLUBS him down, and then stomps him again. Shota UPPERCUTS, then whips Evil corner to corner. Shota runs in but Dick is already untying the buckle pad! Evil BOOTS Shota away, but Shota comes back. Surprise! Bare buckles! The fans boo as Shota hits steel, and the ref reprimands Evil, but the Bullet Club Special is now in play.

Evil drops the buckle pad and he drags Shota up. Evil TOSSES Shota out, then goes out after him, to RAM him into the timekeeper’s area! Abe-san suffers, even after reading the message like Evil wanted! Evil grabs a mic and he insults the “konoyarou” Shota. Evil talks trash on the fans, too, before he stomps Shota. The fans rally for Shota but Evil drags him out to No Man’s Land. Evil then yanks away the railing, and BOWLS Shota into into chairs! The fans boo but Evil CHOKES Shota using a chair! The ref reprimands, Evil lets off, and Shota is down while Evil goes back to the ring. The fans rally for “SHO~TA! SHO~TA!”

Shota stirs and the ring count starts. Shota sits up at 8 of 20, then stands at 10. Shota hobbles his way over at 13 and rolls in. Evil distracts the ref, Dick drags Shota back out! The ref still stops his count, though, and Shota rolls in safe. The fans applaud but Evil brings the merch shirt over. The ref says no, so Evil gives that up. Surprise! Evil uses the tag rope to CHOKE Shota! Evil hides it by putting Shota on the ropes, and then lets off as the ref reprimands. Evil drags Shota to a cover, ONE! Shota is tougher than that but Evil is upset with the ref. Some rando in the crowd is actually chanting for Evil, but everyone else cheers on Shota!

Evil drags Shota up, and Shota fires body shots! Shota ROCKS Evil, ROCKS him again, but Evil knees low! Evil TOSSES Shota, then distracts the ref so Dick can SMACK Shota with the buckle pad against railing! Dick puts Shota in for Evil to cover, ONE! Another cover, TWO! A deep cover, TWO!! Shota stays in this, and the fans rally up again. Evil stands on Shota’s head, then drags him up. Evil CHOPS Shota but Shota roars back! So Evil CHOPS again! Shota snarls as he storms around, but Evil CHOPS again! Shota shouts, Evil winds up, to CLAW Shota’s eyes! Evil runs, into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Shota goes to a corner and he takes aim. Evil stands, Shota runs up to CLOBBER him! And CLOBBER him again! Shota whips, Evil reverses but Shota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Evil again! The fans fire up as Shota reloads in the corner. Evil rises, Shota runs corner to corner to UPPERCUT! Then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but the fans still rally behind “SHO~TA! SHO~TA!” Shota drags Evil up, clinches, but Evil fights with elbows. Evil whips, Shota ducks ‘n’ dodges to WRECK Dick! Shota then drop toeholds Evil onto ropes, and slingshots to APRON DDT!

The fans fire up with Shota again while Evil flops to the floor. Shota drags Evil up, puts him in the ring, and then climbs a corner. MISSILE DROPKICK! Direct hit, and then Shota hits the EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Evil is tougher than that but the fans fire up with Shota again. Shota drags Evil up in a dragon sleeper, but Evil fights it! Evil suplexes, Shota fights that to wrench and UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again! But Evil CLAWS eyes again! The ref reprimands, but Evil blocks Shota’s kick. Evil hands that to the ref, but then Shota blocks Evil’s kick! The ref lets Shota go and he UPPERCUTS Evil!

Shota runs, but Evil pulls the ref into the SHOTGUN! And Dick runs in to stomp away on Shota! Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER!! The fans boo, but Shota fights against the garrote! Except here comes Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks Shota low! The fans boo as The House mugs Shota! They set Shota up for MAGIC KILLER!! Dick bails out to fetch the ref, and Kanemaru counts the cover? Kanemaru hits three, and DICK rings the bell! The fans boo this newest farce, but then another ref hurries out here. Ref Sato tells Kanemaru and Dick to stay back, and Evil drags Shota up. Fireman’s carry, but Shota slips free!

Shota waistlocks, but Evil fires elbows! Evil whips but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up and Shota hurries to BLAST Dick off the apron! He also DECKS Kanemaru! Evil staggers up, runs in, but is sent into bare buckles! Shota trips Evil, steps through, S T F! Evil endures and crawls forward, but Shota drags him back! And back to the STF! But SHO is here! Sho distracts the ref with his “Torture Tool,” but that lets YUJIRO TAKAHASHI slip in! Yujiro SHOVES Shota into this new ref! That’s two down! The House all stomps away on Shota now! The fans boo but The House all puts one out on Shota.

Dick drags Shota up, he and Sho whip Shota to a corner. Dick UPPERCUTS! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Sho forearm SMASHES! Yujiro BOOTS! Evil LARIATS! Snapmare, and they set Shota up! Dick climbs so he can DICK CHOP! The fans boo as hard as they can but Evil calls for a ref. Referee Sakamoto arrives, counts, TWO?!? Shota survives and the fans fire up! Sho distracts Sakamoto while Yujiro drags Shota up, PIMP JUICE!! Evil covers, TWO!?! Shota survives again and the fans are thunderous! But then the House DUMPS Sakamoto out! That’s three refs suffering at their hands! Kanemaru runs up to BOOT Shota!

The House mugs Shota while the fans boo. But here comes HIROSHI TANAHASHI! President Ace fights The House! Tanahashi BOOTS Kanemaru, BOOTS Yujiro, but Sho kicks Tanahashi first. Sho stands Tanahashi up, Dick takes aim, but Tanahashi slips free, POCKET SAND hits Sho in the face! Dick attacks Tanahashi, Kanemaru takes a swig, but Tanahashi ducks! WHISKEY MIST hits Dick!! Tanahashi then dodges a cane shot from Yujiro! SHOTEI! And a SLINGBLADE for Kanemaru! The fans are thunderous as Tanahashi calls for a ref! But Evil LOW BLOWS Tanahashi! The fans boo as Evil disrespects the boss!

Evil drags Shota up but Shota dodges his lariat, to CUTTER!! The fans fire up while both men are down! And then the fans cheer as Red Shoes arrives! He can’t believe the mess The House of Torture has made, but he gets in here to take over! Red Shoes checks both men and they stir. The fans rally for Shota as hard as they can and he rises up! Evil flounders to a corner, and Shota runs in to KNEE Evil in the back! Then dragon sleeper for TRIDENT! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives but Shota just revs back up! The fans rally as he runs, to IGNITION! Then Shota drags Evil up, underhooks, but Evil RAMS Shota into bare buckles!

Shota just roars! Shota runs in but into a LARIAT from Evil! Evil throws his elbow pads off, then stands Shota up. Evil runs, to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!!! Shota survives and the fans are electric! Evil is losing his mind but he slashes his throat. Evil vows to end this, and he drags Shota up. The fans rally for Shota as hard as they can, but Evil spins Shota! Shota slips free to ROCK, ROLLING ELBOW, and ENZIGIRI Evil down! Shota roars, the fans are thunderous, and Shota goes to a corner. Shota aims as Evil slowly rises. BLAZE BLADE!! But that’s not all! Shota drags Evil up to underhook! Evil slips free, waistlocks, but Shota switches!

Evil shoves Red Shoes away! And he LOW BLOWS Shota!! And then Evil steals DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Shota survives again and the fans are electric! Evil slashes his throat, and EVERY- NO! Shota fights to steal EVIL!!! Both men are down but Shota rises fast! The fans are electric again as he roars! Shota drags Evil up to pump handle and half nelson. PUMP HANDLE POWERSLAM! And now, a DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, SHOTA WINS!!!

Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Evil earns 0)

JUSTICE IS SERVED! Evil tried every trick in the book and then some, but it could not save him! The King of Darkness is OUT of the running, and the way is open for another! Is this proof that Shota Umino can bring a Paradigm Shift to NJPW?

G1 Climax 34 A Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Great-O-Khan!

It all comes down to this. The round robin math works out to make this a true “Win and you’re in” situation! Will the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion continue on towards back-to-back G1 Climaxes? Or will the KOPW Champion establish the power of The United Empire?

Khan takes a cue from Naito by taking his time with putting aside his entrance attire. Khan carefully places down his shirt, and Naito finally puts the pants away. The bell rings and the fans are strongly dueling already! Naito assesses that the “NA-I-TO!” only has a small lead over the “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” Wait, that lead seems to be shifting. Khan and Naito circle, feel things out, but Naito just leans back against ropes. Khan backs away and Naito returns. They circle again, feel things out, but Naito plays coy so Khan steps back now. The fans rally, the two circle, then approach, and Naito rolls Khan up! TWO!

Naito atomic drops, then he bumps Khan off buckles. Naito goes up, brings Khan around, but Khan breaks free. Naito BOOTS Khan, runs up, but Khan picks Naito up to RAM him into the corner! Then Mongolian Chop! Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian fake to UPPERCUT! The fans cheer as Khan says he’s too smart for Naito. Khan then has Naito in the corner, and climbs up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer, Red Shoes reprimands, but Khan pulls Naito’s arms back! Red Shoes counts, so Khan lets go, and JUMPING MONGOLIAN CHOPS Naito on the back! Naito bails out, Khan pursues, and the fans rally.

Khan whips but Naito reverses, and Khan hits railing hard! Khan writhes on the floor, but Naito drags him up to whip him hard into more railing! Khan hangs over the side but then falls back. Naito walks over, brings Khan up and puts him in the ring. Naito kneels on Khan but Khan pushes him away. Naito drags Khan up to cravat, and he grinds the neck wrench. Khan endures, so Naito CLUBS away on his neck! Khan staggers to ropes, but Naito whips. Khan drop toeholds Naito right into a KNEEBAR! Naito flails, reaches out, moves around, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Red Shoes counts, and Khan lets go at 4.

The fans rally harder for “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” now, and he ties up Naito’s legs. Khan traps one of Naito’s arms, and he KNEES Naito in the side of the hip again and again! Then he covers, TWO! Khan keeps hold of the legs to KNEE them again and again! Deep cover, TWO! Khan YANKS the legs, then covers, TWO! Naito shows that world champion toughness but the fans still rally behind “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” Khan SMASHES Naito’s knee into the mat! Naito clutches the leg but Khan paces around. Khan KNEES the leg, then he drags Naito around. Khan stomps the leg again and again, and the fans continue to rally.

Naito manages to stand and fire forearms! Khan just kicks the bad leg! Khan puts Naito on ropes, to then DRAGON SAYANAGI the leg! Khan ties the legs up in a deathlock, and he pulls on this modified Calf Killer! Naito endures, Khan shifts around, and he puts as much pressure as he can on the legs. Khan then grabs the arms, for a QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH! Naito endures, but he has no limbs to fight free with! Khan shifts into a more motorcycle stretch hold, but Naito fights his way over with just his head! Naito manages to reach the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, and Khan lets go in frustration.

Khan paces while Naito writhes. Naito pushes himself up, but Khan grabs the leg! Naito CLUBS away on Khan, so Khan ROCKS Naito with a right! Khan then reels Naito in for the SHIN- ARM-DRAG! Naito then ELBOWS Khan, but Khan comes back! Naito dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up while both men are down! The dueling gets stronger as the “NA-I-TO!” starts to catch back up to the “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” Naito stands Khan up, kicks and kicks then whips. Naito arm-drags Khan, ELBOWS him down, then basement dropkicks! The fans cheer, and Naito brings Khan up. Naito whips Khan to a corner, then ELBOWS him again.

Naito puts Khan in the ropes, brings him out, for a DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Then Naito turns Khan, holds him, and hits a standard NECKBREAKER! The fans cheer as Naito poses. Naito then covers, TWO! The dueling continues between “NA-I-TO!” and “O-KHAN!” as we pass 10 minutes. Naito cravats for another neck wrench but Khan fires body shots. Naito CLUBS away on Khan again, then swings, but into a fireman’s carry takeover! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Khan rises, and he brings Naito up by wristlocks. Khan MONKEY FLIPS Naito, then brings him up for a SAYANAGI! And then another SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO!

Khan shifts right around to a KNEEBAR! Naito endures, grabs at Khan and tries to pry the hold open but Khan puts on more pressure! Khan’s grapevine of the leg even allows him to push Naito’s other leg away, it’s a kneebar spladle combo! The fans rally as Naito endures, and he moves around. Khan pulls on the bad leg, but Naito reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Khan lets go cleanly. Khan drags Naito back, has the leg, but Naito rolls through the kneebar! Khan RAMS into Naito, but Naito stifles the takedown! Naito CLUBS Khan, and TORNADO DDTS! The fans fire up while both men are down!

The fans rally, and Naito crawls over to Khan by the ropes. Naito drags Khan up, and he throws those heavy elbows! Khan sits down in the corner, so Naito climbs up. Naito brings Khan up by his ponytail, to ESPERANZA! Khan tumbles forward, and Naito takes aim! CORRIENDO- NO, Khan dodges! GERMAN SUPLEX! But Naito rises! Only to run into a leg scissor takedown and KNEEBAR!! Naito flails, but Khan shifts around to tie up the legs. Khan rolls to have an inverted figure four heel hook hybrid! Naito endures being upside-down and twisted, but he grabs at Khan’s legs to pry at this hold!

The fans rally and duel as Khan thrashes the leglock around! The “NA-I-TO!” gets stronger, and Naito fights his way forward, only for Khan to pull on the legs! Red Shoes checks with Naito but Naito still fights as we hit 15 minutes, and he has the ROPEBREAK! Khan lets go in frustration but the fans continue to duel. Khan watches Naito writhe, then watches as he rises up. Khan BOOTS the bad leg! Khan then drags Naito up to KICK the leg! Naito hobbles, Khan reels him in, SHIN- NO, Naito fights the lift with forearms! Naito runs up to CLUB Khan to ropes, then brings him around for the heavy elbows!

Khan drops to his knees and Naito aims from a corner. Naito runs up, CORRIENDO- NO, Khan stifles the tilt-o-whirl to SAIDO! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! The “O-KHAN!” starts to outdo the “NA-I-TO!” again and Khan rises! Khan runs up to BOOT Naito down! Khan calls his shot and he clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan drags Naito up, and ELIMI- NO, Naito victory rolls it! TWO! Khan escapes, runs back in, IRON CLAW SLEEPER to ELIMI- NO, Naito elbows free, then ENZIGIRIS! Naito runs to CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!! Khan survives and surprises Naito!

The fans are thunderous as Naito rises and brings Khan around. Naito wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, and DESTI- NO! Khan blocks that and flips Naito into HITSUJIGOROSHI! And then FLATLINER! And then IRON CLAW, ELIMINATOR!!! Cover, KHAN WINS!!!

Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Naito earns 0)

The entire crowd erupts! The KOPW Champion just defeated the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion!! The Dominator’s Eliminator truly ELIMINATES Naito from the playoffs!! Naito ends at 5-4, will those four losses come back to haunt him all the way to WrestleKingdom?

As for Khan, he takes a moment to stand over Naito as the victor, then puts his KOPW Championship on. Khan gets the mic while the fans cheer for him, and Khan says, “As you please. Bow down, you Nagaoka peasants! This G1, We (the royal ‘we’ aka Khan) never had a semi-final or main event. They didn’t expect much of Us. After four losses, they didn’t think We had a chance. Some reporter from a rag threw Us under the bus. And the haters piled on to spit on Our name! But do not underestimate Us! We will always turn things around! Reversals? Counters? That’s what the Empire is all about!” The fans cheer that!

Khan then says he realized something about the G1 that he didn’t before. Khan hated pro-wrestling at one point. But now, he’s having fun! The fans also cheer that! Khan vows not to lose again! The fans cheer that, too! Khan vows to “dominate the G1 and the world of professional wrestling! This is the Fate/Grand Order sponsored, Gee Store endorsing, KOPW Champion, Great-O-Khan’s power! HAIL US, PEASANTS!” Mic drop and crowns up, but will Khan soon be holding up the G1 Climax trophy?

Here are the FINAL A Block standings!

Zack Sabre Jr: 7-2, 12 points [FIRST ROUND BYE]
Shingo Takagi: 5-4, 10 points [A Block Second Seed]
Great-O-Khan: 5-4, 10 points [A Block Third Seed]
Tetsuya Naito: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Evil: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Sanada: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Jake Lee: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Gabe Kidd: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Shota Umino: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Callum Newman: 2-7, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

Here are the current 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:

Another great round for the G1, and a great finale to A Block’s round robin phase. Callum VS Gabe was great, even though there were no stakes. ZSJ and Sanada had another great match in their storied rivalry. ZSJ winning made sense, it solidified him as the first seed while clearing the way for Takagi. Takagi got a great win off Jake, and his win therefore put the pressure on the final two matches. I feel like they really piled on the overbooking from The House of Torture to make Shota look incredible in his win. And I’m personally very thankful they didn’t have Evil advance, he would just keep bringing the same shenanigans into the playoffs and we don’t need that.

It all coming down to Naito VS Khan was great stuff, and was pretty much indicated by the match order. I do feel Naito could’ve sold bad leg better, namely after Khan’s unique figure four ankle lock hold. But the fans in Nagaoka were strongly behind Khan and his winning out was awesome. Takagi VS Khan will be our A Block Wild Card, and I feel it could go either way, as we could get great stuff out of both options, ZSJ VS Takagi and ZSJ VS Khan.

My Score: 8.9/10