Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 34 Results & Report! (8/3/24)

A Block, Round 6!

Published

8 months ago

August 3, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Time to roku ‘n’ roll!

Of all people to lead the G1 Climax’s A Block, it’s EVIL! Will the King of Darkness continue to cheat his opponents until he wins it all?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

8 Man Tag: Konosuke Takeshita & The United Empire VS Hirooki Goto, Tomoaki Honma, Shota Kato & Katsuya Murashima; Konosuke & The United Empire win.
Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS David Finlay & Gedo; Oleg & Yano win.
El Phantasmo & Jado VS Yuya Uemura & Taka Michinoku; Yuya & Taka win.
Yota Tsuji & BUSHI VS Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Yota & Bushi win.
G1 Climax 34 A Block: Callum Newman VS Jake Lee; Jake wins.
G1 Climax 34 A Block: Great-O-Khan VS EVIL; Khan wins.
G1 Climax 34 A Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Gabe Kidd; Naito wins.
G1 Climax 34 A Block: Shota Umino VS SANADA; Sanada wins.
G1 Climax 34 A Block: Shingo Takagi VS Zack Sabre Jr; Takagi wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

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

Here are the current B Block standings!

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

G1 Climax 34 A Block: Callum Newman VS Jake Lee!

The Prince of Pace is stuck in the middle of the pack, but better than being at the back. Will Callum even out at 3-3? Or will the Smart Bastard find a way to slow Callum down?

The bell rings and they both rush in! Callum gets around to waistlock. Jake elbows free then snapmares, but Callum avoids the Penalty Kick! Jake avoids the roundhouse and bails out! The fans cheer, and even Jake applauds Callum on that opening exchange. Jake takes his time returning, Callum taunting that he’s in a hurry, let’s get going. The fans rally up, the two reset and circle. They feel things out, and Jake taunts Callum with height and long arms. Jake goes low but Callum kicks the hand away. They knuckle lock and Jake wrenches. Callum wrenches back, but then Jake wrenches back. Callum wrenches, slips through, and waistlocks.

Jake standing switches, but then Callum wrenches out to headlock. Callum brings Jake to the mat, but Jake fights up. They end up on ropes and the ref calls the break. Callum lets off slowly, fakes a chop, then backs off. The fans cheer, but Jake storms up to kick low! Jake whips, Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to build speed and BOOT! Jake tumbles away and the fans fire up! Jake gets on the apron but Callum BOOTS him again! Callum goes out, goes up, but Jake YANKS Callum down! The height comes in handy there. Jake then pushes Callum through the gap in the railing and pulls him back against the railing!

The ref reprimands and counts, Jake lets go while telling the ref to shut up! Jake drags Callum up but Callum fires forearms! The fans rally, but Jake eggs Callum on. Callum fires more forearms, so Jake kicks low! Jake POSTS Callum, then rolls into the ring. The count starts and Jake waits on Callum. Callum rises slowly, and Jake taunts him to hurry up. Callum stands at 10 of 20, rolls in at 13, and the fans cheer. Jake cravats Callum for a neck wrench, but Callum fights up. Jake keeps Callum from ropes, then pushes him down, to drop a leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Jake clamps right on with a chinlock and he grinds Callum down.

The fans rally while Callum endures. Jake pushes Callum down so he can stomp him! The fans rally and Jake smirks. Callum gets up to CHOP! Jake mockingly plays up the pain, and he taunts Callum. Callum CHOPS again, and Jake again plays it up. Callum dares Jake to try then! Jake winds up, to poke Callum in the eye! Jake then whips Callum, but Callum rolls off his back! Jake kicks low, runs, but Callum trips him and DOUBLE STOMPS him! The fans fire up while both men are down. Jake goes to a corner, Callum rolls up to his feet and UPPERCUTS! Then GAMANGIRIS! Snapmare, and PENALTY KICK!

Jake roars as he sits up, so Callum grins. Callum PENALTY KICKS again! Jake rises again, so Callum fakes and KICKS! Then STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Callum grabs the legs. Callum works to turn Jake over but Jake gets a leg free and BOOTS back! Jake TOSSES Callum out, then storms out after him. Jake aims from the apron to PENALTY- NO! Callum blocks the kick, trips Jake up, then goes up and up to ASAI MOONSAULT! Down goes Jake and the fans fire up again! Callum feeds off that energy to fire himself up, and he puts Jake in the ring. Callum aims, runs up, DREAMCAST KICK! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Callum considers his options. Callum drags Jake up, chicken wings the arms, but Jake stomps Callum’s foot! Callum fires a forearm, then whips. Jake reverses to KNEE low! Callum sputters while he’s down on the mat, but the fans rally up again. Jake rises, fakes a kick, and then clamps on a SLEEPER! Jake laughs while he leans on the hold. But Callum endures, fights up, and JAWBREAKERS free! The fans fire up and Callum goes Around the World to DROPKICK! Callum then goes up and up, but Jake avoids the jump! Jake swings, Callum dodges but the CHOP knocks him down!

Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Then OSC- CHOKE SLAM!! Jake slam dunks Callum and covers, TWO!! The fans boo Jake but Jake takes aim again. Callum slowly rises as Jake stomps the mat. The fans clap along, Jake clamps on, CHOKE- RANA!! Cover, TWO!! Callum ROUNDHOUSES! HEEL KICKS! Callum runs, into a GIANT KILLING KNEE! Then the FACE BREAK SHOT!! Cover, Jake wins!

Winner: Jake Lee, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Callum earns 0)

The Smart Bastard used Callum’s own speed against him and comes away the winner! Will he find that outside shot to get into the playoffs? Is the Prince of Pace already out of the running?

G1 Climax 34 A Block: Great-O-Khan VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The Dominator finally got going in this G1 with his win over Jake Lee, but now he runs into the ONLY undefeated 5-0 man in this tournament. Can the KOPW Champion conquer the King of Darkness? Or will he see that Everything is Evil?

Seems Khan is taking a lesson from Tetsuya Naito by taking his time with his entrance attire. But while Evil was patient with Naito, he attacks Khan from behind! The ref reprimands but Evil CLUBS Khan down! The fans boo, the bell rings and Evil taunts Khan. Evil stomps Khan, drags him up, and TOSSES him out of the ring. The fans rally for Khan but Evil stands Khan up, to RAM into the timekeeper! Abe-san goes down again! The fans boo more but Evil gets the mic to tell them all off. Evil even insults Khan before stomping him. Evil CHOKES Khan with the cord and tells him to just give up already!

The ref stops Evil, but then Evil drags Khan up to whip hard into railing! Khan drops to his knees, but Evil brings him out through the gate! They go into the crowd, where Evil BOWLS Khan into chairs! A strike for sure, and then Evil CHOKES Khan with one of the chairs! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Evil tells them all to shut up. Evil leaves Khan behind and goes to the ring. Khan coughs and sputters, but the fans rally up behind him. The count begins, Khan crawls his way back. He reaches the aisle at 8 of 20, manages to stand at 11, and he hobbles his way over. Khan makes it to ringside at 14 and slides in at 15.

But Evil distracts the ref while Dick drags Khan back out! The ref didn’t know Khan was in, so the count continues from 16! Khan rises at 18 and slides in at 19! Evil is still annoyed by a bad count, but then he grabs his House of Torture shirt. The ref sees that, takes the shirt from him, so Evil uses the TAG ROPE! Evil CHOKES Khan, the ref sees that, and so Evil stops. Khan coughs and sputters more, and Evil swears he has no other items. Cocky cover, TWO! Evil taunts Khan, grabs a leg, and turns him for a HALF CRAB! Khan has the ROPEBREAK right away! Evil holds until the ref counts 4.

Evil paces while Khan clutches his knee. Evil storms up to stomp away on that leg! Khan grabs the ropes but Evil drops an elbow on the knee! The ref reprimands but Evil just paces around. Khan goes to a corner, and Evil CLUBS him down! Evil paces, Khan grits his teeth and CHOPS! Evil kicks Khan, Khan chops again! Evil CLAWS Khan’s eyes! The ref reprimands and counts, Evil lets off to cover, TWO! Evil is annoyed again but the fans rally up. Evil taunts Khan as we pass five minutes, and he stands on Khan’s face. Khan pushes the foot away, but Evil slaps him around now. The fans rally, and Khan stands to ROCK Evil!

Khan ROCKS Evil again, and again! Evil knees low! Evil whips, Khan reverses to BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up while both men are down! The fans rally again as Khan rises, and he nods. Khan drags Evil up, lifts him up, and then runs to RAM Evil into a corner! Then he Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops again! And then feints to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up, and Khan has Evil in a corner! Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer as the King of Darkness is being humbled! Khan pulls the arms back, but the ref counts. Khan hops off, then he wrenches Evil to reel him in, fireman’s carry takeover! Cover, TWO!

Khan drags Evil around for an omoplata! But Evil BITES Khan’s leg! The ref reprimands, Evil lets go and Khan hobbles away. Khan stomps Evil for that, then he drags Evil up to whip. Evil reverses, runs in, but he blocks a boot. And another boot! Evil puts Khan in ropes to CLUB and WOE STOMP! The fans rally up while Khan writhes. Evil drags Khan up to FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Evil is annoyed again. Evil talks trash, drags Khan up by his ponytail, then goes to fireman’s carry. Khan fights with elbows, waistlocks and ripcords, SAYANAGI! Both men are down and the fans fire up!

Khan and Evil slowly rise again and the fans rally. Khan brings Evil up but Evil goes to low blow! Khan blocks and traps the arm, INVERTED ARMBAR! Khan digs his elbow into Evil’s head, but Evil grabs the ref! Evil brings the ref down so that Dick can get in! Dick drags Khan away by his ponytail! The fans boo but Evil is still saved. Khan is mad at Dick but Evil TOSSES Khan up and out! Evil then distracts the ref so that Dick can JAM Khan with a chair, and SMACK him down! Khan writhes, the fans boo, but Dick drags Khan up and into the ring. Evil storms over, stomps away on Khan at 10 minutes, then CLUBS him.

Evil has the legs, steps through, and has the SHARPSHOOTER! Khan endures, fights up, and the fans rally as he fights forward! But Evil sits deep on the hold! Khan still fights, and still has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Evil lets go at 4. The fans rally for Khan but Evil storms back over. Evil drags Khan up, fireman’s carries, and DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO! Khan is tougher than that and Evil is furious! The fans fire up, but Evil slashes his throat. Evil drags Khan up, spins him, EVERY- NO, Khan fights with elbows! Evil still tries, but Khan slips free and SLAM DUNKS Evil! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Khan sits up and the fans rally again. Khan drags Evil up, but Dick is on the apron! So Khan DECKS Dick! Evil LARIATS, but Khan blocks! KIMURA!! Evil falls to the mat, Khan puts on all the pressure he can! Khan rips away the tape around the elbow to really torture Evil! Evil fights around, but Khan just puts MORE pressure on! The fans rally as Khan keeps going, and he headscissors Evil’s head, too! Then he shifts to an ARMBAR!! Evil flails, grabs the ref, then Dick DRAGS the ref out! Dick storms in to stomp Khan down! And then, SPOILER CHOKER!! The fans boo as hard as they can as Khan coughs and sputters!

Evil grabs a chair, and he takes aim! Evil JAMS Khan low, then sets Khan up, for MAGIC KILLER!! Dick fetches the ref while Evil covers! TWO!!!! Khan survives and the fans are thunderous! Dick is in disbelief but Evil slashes his throat again! Evil drags Khan up, spins him around, EVERY- NO! ELBOW BREAKER! Khan runs, but Dick SMACKS Khan behind the ref’s back!! Dick drags Khan up as we hit 15 minutes, but Khan DECKS him again! Evil continues to have the ref check his elbow, but Khan powers up to PLANCHA down onto Dick! The fans are thunderous as Khan believes he can fly! Khan’s Monster Rage boils over and the fans fire up again!

Khan goes back to the ring, runs in at Evil, but SURPRISE! No buckle pad!! Khan hits bare buckles, then Evil sends him back in! Evil runs to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous again as Khan survives! Evil vows to end this! EVERY- HITSUJIGOROSHI!! FLATLINER!! And then, ELIMINATOR!!! Cover, KHAN WINS!!!

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

Justice has been served! Khan conquers the King of Darkness for the United Empire! Evil may still lead the block, but he isn’t undefeated anymore! Can Khan play spoiler to a few more playoff hopefuls? Will Evil still take over the Climax?

G1 Climax 34 A Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Gabe Kidd!

The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion meets the NJPW Strong Openweight Champion at a pivotal point in this tournament. Naito wants to repeat as G1 Champion, but is that about to become an uphill climb? Or can he stay tranquilo against this absolute Mad Man?

The originator of the gag, Naito takes his time with the entrance attire. Gabe decides to let him take that time, because it’s all over after this either way. “I’ll have you pushing up daisies, boy.” Naito puts the pants aside, the bell rings, and the fans rally and duel, “NA-I-TO!” “GABU!” Gabe smirks as he has just as many fans as the top guy, and the two circle. They approach, but then Naito backs away. Naito says chill, and they reset. They approach, but then Naito steps aside. So Gabe CLUBS, SLAPS and HAMMERS away on Naito in the corner! The ref counts, tries to back Gabe off but Gabe pushes him aside!

Gabe stomps a mudhole in, digs his boots in, and says Naito ain’t got ish on him! The ref storms back up but Gabe pushes him aside again! Gabe mocks the LIJ fist bump and then SPITS at Naito! The fans are torn but Gabe drags Naito up to TOSS him out. Gabe then storms out after Naito, whips him hard into railing, then says he’ll take his time with this. Gabe stalks Naito, then whips him into more railing! Gabe Too Sweets David Finlay on English commentary, then goes into the ring. Gabe builds speed, just to mock the tranquilo! Finlay taunts Naito, too, and Gabe goes out to stomp Naito.

Gabe puts Naito in the ring, but then Naito rolls out the side. Gabe mockingly applauds, then goes out again. Gabe CHOPS Naito, follows him around the way, then puts him back in the ring. Naito rolls all the way to the other end, and bails out again. The fans rally, but Gabe pursues and CHOPS! Gabe puts Naito back in, storms up, but Naito fires forearms! Naito HOTSHOTS Gabe, then builds speed, to tranquilo! Naito shows Gabe how it’s done and Gabe gets mad. Gabe runs in, into an atomic drop! Naito turns Gabe, but Gabe pulls hair! Naito still NECKBREAKERS! The fans cheer, Naito covers, ONE!!

Naito stays cool as he drags Gabe back up. Naito cravats for a neck wrench, but Gabe endures. Gabe fires body shots, then he BITES Naito! He is a War Dog, after all! Gabe spits, then whips, but Naito reverses to ELBOW! Gabe says F that, but Naito kicks low, ELBOWS him again, only for Gabe to avoid the dropkick! Gabe scoops and SLAMS, and then leans against ropes. The fans rally up, but Gabe snarls and goes back for Naito. Gabe kicks Naito out of the ring, then opens the gate. Gabe brings Naito out to No Man’s Land, UPPERCUTS him, then pulls apart railing! The Young Lions hurry to move fans aside!

Gabe BOWLS Naito, really only gets a few chairs, but then shouts, “I’M A MAD MAN, Y’KNOW!” Gabe mocks Naito’s posing again, then leaves Naito behind. Gabe looks under the ring, and he brings out some chairs! Gabe storms back over, puts those down, pulls apart even more railing, and he makes quite the pile. Naito storms up but Gabe UPPERCUTS him! Gabe reels Naito in, to suplex Naito, only for Naito to knee free! Naito wrenches, and fires the heavy elbows! Then Naito BOWLS Gabe into chairs! STRIKE! The fans fire up, Young Lions clear the area, and Naito hobbles over to bring Gabe back up.

Naito SMACKS Gabe off a chair! The fans are torn as Naito positions another chair. Naito drags Gabe back up, and he SMACKS him off that chair now! Naito then brings Gabe up to drag him to ringside, using a cravat neck wrench. But Gabe POSTS Naito! And then hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Naito sputters but Gabe sits down to catch his breath. The fans rally, Finlay helps Gabe get water to refresh himself. Gabe then SPITS at Naito, tells him off, and storms back into the ring. Cover, TWO! Gabe pushes Naito down to get in his face. Gabe says Naito’s time is up, and he rains down fists! Naito SPITS at Gabe!

Gabe rains down more fists, but the ref stops him! Gabe SPITS at Naito before he lets off. The fans rally, Gabe waits in a corner. Naito stirs, Gabe says it is time for Naito to give up! LION’S TAMER! Naito endures being bent sideways, fights around, but Gabe shifts to a BOSTON CRAB! We pass 10 minutes but Naito endures! Gabe lets off, drags Naito up, and says he’s dead now! Gabe suplexes, DESTINO!! Naito pulls that one out of nowhere and the fans rally up again! Both men stir, the fans rally harder, and Naito goes to a corner. Naito waits on Gabe, Gabe runs in, but Naito dodges! Naito runs in but Gabe puts him on the apron.

Gabe takes a swing, Naito ducks it and sweeps the legs! Gabe hits buckles, Naito swings to fake the dropkick, and then DROPKICKS anyway! Naito drags Gabe up, goes up the corner, and reels Gabe in, for ESPERANZA! The fans fire up and Naito waits on Gabe again. Naito runs up, into an UPPERCUT! And SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and the fans fire up again! Gabe rises, but then falls back, needed to catch his breath. Gabe sits up cross legged, then he tells Naito he’s just an old rat. The fans rally as Gabe brings Naito up, reels him in, but Naito fights the lift! Gabe DOUBEL CHOPS Naito on the back!

Naito stands to SPIT Gabe! And SLAP Gabe! Gabe SLAPS back, gut wrenches, but Naito RANAS! Naito then atomic drops, and fires heavy elbows! Gabe says F that, but Naito ENZIGIRIS! Gabe comes back, Naito ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ CORRIENDO CRADLE! NAITO WINS!!!

Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Gabe earns 0)

Finlay is just as upset as Gabe is that The Uncontrollable Charisma pulled on over on them! Naito relaxes on Japanese commentary’s desk, taunting Gabe to fist bump him. Will the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion still have a spot in the playoffs? Will the Mad Man stay NJPW Strong and find his own way to the Climax?

G1 Climax 34 A Block: Shota Umino VS SANADA!

The Roughneck is moving up after bringing down Zack Sabre Jr. while the Cold Skull is feeling down after losing to Tetsuya Naito. Will these trends continue as Shota brings the Paradigm Shift? Or will he run right into a Skull End?

Both men take time with their big jackets, then the bell rings. The fans rally, and it sounds pretty even between “SHO~TA!” and “SA-NA-DA!” The two circle, feel things out, then tie up. Shota wrenches to wristlock, but Sanada moves around. Shota keeps him from ropes so Sanada knees free and wrenches back. Shota rolls, wrenches and wristlocks again. Shota shifts to a top wristlock, brings Sanada to a knee, then hammerlocks. Shota spins Sanada to a headlock and takeover, but Sanada headscissors. Shota kips free, but Sanada blocks his kick! Sanada trips Shota but Shota fights off Paradise! Shota scoops to DROP Sanada, then runs to SHOTGUN!

The fans fire up with Shota while Sanada flounders. Shota stomps Sanada, stomps him again, then brings Sanada up. Shota clamps on a cravat neck wrench, but Sanada endures. Shota CLUBS Sanada, whips him to ropes, but Sanada KICKS back! Sanada then DUMPS Shota out, and goes out after him. Sanada whips Shota hard into railing! Shota slumps down but Sanada storms up again. Sanada stands Shota up to CLUB him, then he brings Shota around to fireman’s carry. SNAKE EYES off railing! Shota sputters as he drops to his knees and the fans rally up. Sanada takes his time coming back for Shota, to then stand Shota up.

Sanada puts Shota in the ring, clamps on a chinlock, and he leans on the hold. Shota endures, so Sanada pushes him down for an elbow drop! Cover, TWO! Sanada stands Shota up again, to CLUB him on the neck. Sanada whips corner to corner, runs up, and ELBOWS Shota! Shota staggers, Sanada brings him in, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Shota stays in this but Sanada stays on him with another chinlock. The fans rally as Shota endures, and Shota fights up. Shota fires body shots, but Sanada CLUBS him again! And CLUBS him again! Sanada CLUBS Shota a third time, runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Shota and Sanada stir as we pass five minutes. The fans rally, Shota stands, and he goes corner to corner to UPPERCUT Sanada! FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota stays cool. Shota brings Sanada up, clinches, but Sanada fights the lift! Sanada fires elbows, Shota staggers, but Sanada whips him. Shota holds ropes to stop, then he drop toeholds Sanada onto ropes! Shota slingshots, APRON DDT! Sanada flops down and the fans fire up with Shota! Shota storms over to Sanada, drags him up, and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud and Shota climbs up a corner! MISSILE DROPKICK!

Shota drags Sanada up to EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Sanada’s tougher than that, being a former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but Shota stays on him. Shota dragon sleepers, but Sanada fights that. Shota waistlocks, Sanada switches, but Shota fires an elbow! Shota runs, but Sanada hurdles, hurdles and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up again while Shota bails out. Sanada hurries to PLANCHA Shota down! The fans cheer and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans oblige, and Sanada brings Shota up. Sanada puts Shota in, the fans cheer, and Sanada brings Shota up, for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!

Sanada stays cool and the fans rally again. Sanada clamps onto Shota with the dragon sleeper! But Shota arm-drags free! Shota runs up, but into a BOOT! Sanada QUEBRADA, and dragon sleeper! SKULL END! Sanada pulls on the hold, Shota starts to fade, but he throws hands! Shota then spins things around, TEST DRIVE! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Shota aims from a corner, Sanada rises, and Shota runs in, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada swings, but into a dragon sleeper! TRIDENT! Cover, TWO! Shota fires up and he aims from a corner. Sanada rises at 10 minutes, and Shota runs in, but Sanada dodges Ignition!

But then Shota dodges the Shining Wizard! Shota has a leg, STF! Sanada endures, fights around, but Shota pulls on the hold! Sanada still reaches out, claws his way over, but Shota drags him back! STF! Sanada endures all over again! Sanada still fights, powers his way forward, and the fans rally up! Sanada reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! Shota lets go in frustration but the fans cheer. Shota drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS, then stands him back up, for another UPPERCUT! Sanada staggers to a corner, Shota brings him around to UPPERCUT again! Shota reels Sanada in, but Sanada stops the tornado to MAGIC SCREW!

The fans fire up while both men are down again! Sanada kips up and fires up! The fans are with Sanada as he aims from the corner. Shota sits up, into the SHINING WIZARD! Sanada isn’t done, he goes up to ROUNDING BODY PRESS, onto knees! Shota saves himself in time, though perhaps double-edged. The fans rally as Shota shakes out his legs. Shota rises while Sanada crawls to a corner. Shota runs in, to BLINDSIDE KNEE! Then TORNADO DDT! Shota aims again as Sanada rises, and IGNITION! Cover, TWO! Sanada survives but Shota powers up! The fans rally as Shota takes aim again. Sanada sits up, into BLAZE- NO, Sanada ducks!

Shota avoids another Shining Wizard to POP-UP KNEE! ELBOW! ROLLING ELBOW! Sanada roars!! Shota ENZIGIRIS! But Sanada SHINING WIZARDS!! The fans fire up and Sanada drags Shota up, clinches, DEAD- NO, Shota spins Sanada around! Shota underhooks, but Sanada NORTHERN LIGHTS out of it! Bridging cover, TWO and Shota still has the arms! Spin and backslide! TWO!! Shota still holds on, steps over, LA MAGISTROL! TWO!! Pop-up, BEARHUG, and then ELEVATED DEATH RIDER!! Cover, TWO!!! Sanada survives and we pass 15 minutes! The fans are thunderous as Shota roars!

Shota aims from a corner, watches Sanada rise up, and runs in to BLAZE BLADE!! Shota then stands Sanada up, but Sanada suddenly O’Conner Rolls, AND BRIDGES!! SANADA WINS!!

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

Just as The Roughneck was heating things up, Cold Skull puts him in a deep freeze! Sanada and Shota are both 3-3, but does this victory open the way for one while closing the door on the other? Or do both men still have a chance to enter the playoffs?

G1 Climax 34 A Block: Shingo Takagi VS Zack Sabre Jr!

The Rampaging Dragon and the Front Man both want some redemption after losing to the young upstarts, Gabe Kidd and Shota Umino. Will Takagi prove it is his time? Or will ZSJ make him #JustTapOut?

The bell rings and the two run up! Takagi dodges, ZSJ dodges, then ZSJ headlocks. Takagi powers out but ZSJ BOOTS him! Takagi roars, the fans fire up, and Takagi ROCKS ZSJ! Takagi runs to RAM ZSJ, but ZSJ comes back. Takagi dodges the boot to waistlock but ZSJ elbows free. ZSJ runs, and he counters Takagi’s hip toss to clamp on a COBRA TWIST! The fans fire up, Takagi endures, and Takagi powers out! ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- ZSJ catches that arm to wrench and PELE, but Takagi blocks it! Takagi sits ZSJ up to SLIDING- NO, ZSJ avoids the lariat and RAMS Takagi! ZSJ snapmares, but Takagi UP-KICKS! The fans fire up as the two stand off!

Takagi and ZSJ back up to corners to reset. The fans rally and the two circle again. They feel things out, tie up, and ZSJ facelocks. Takagi moves around, ZSJ waistlocks, but Takagi switches. ZSJ wrenches out and wristlocks, then knuckle locks. They go shoulder to shoulder for a Test of Strength, and Takagi has ZSJ on his knees. But ZSJ rolls back to reverse the pressure! Takagi powers up but ZSJ turns him. They again go shoulder to shoulder, Takagi makes ZSJ bridge back. ZSJ kips up, gets under, and NORTHERN LIGHTS! But Takagi CLOBBERS ZSJ! The fans fire up again while ZSJ sits up and Takagi storms over.

Takagi stands ZSJ up, KNEES him against ropes, and KNEES him again. Takagi reels ZSJ in to snap suplex! ELBOW DROP! Cover, ONE!! ZSJ is tough but Takagi clamps on a chinlock. The fans rally, Takagi steps over to trap an arm, and he cranks the neck. ZSJ eggs Takagi on so Takagi BELL CLAPS, then clamps on a tighter headlock. ZSJ finds the ROPEBREAK, so Takagi lets off. Takagi then CLUBS ZSJ, reels him in, but ZSJ fights the saido with elbows. Takagi CLUBS ZSJ, runs, but into a BOOT! ZSJ runs, but Takagi blocks the boot! But ZSJ slips free of the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! ZSJ sits Takagi up to basement dropkick!

Takagi rolls away while ZSJ catches his breath. The fans rally while Takagi goes to a corner. ZSJ storms over to Takagi, brings him up, and cravats. Then ZSJ UPPERCUTS Takagi into the corner! ZSJ stands Takagi up, UPPERCUTS again, and then snapmares. ZSJ clamps on a headscissor squeeze! The fans rally, Takagi endures, and he clasps hands to fight. But ZSJ drags Takagi from ropes, squeezes harder, but Takagi has the ROPEBREAK with a foot. ZSJ lets go, the fans rally, and ZSJ brings Takagi up. Takagi fires body shots and forearms at five minutes, but ZSJ clamps on a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!

Takagi endures, fights, but ZSJ pulls on the hold! Takagi RAMS ZSJ into a corner, gets free, but ZSJ runs up! ELBOW! JAB! But ZSJ jumps on for the GUILLOTINE, only for Takagi to THROW him away! The fans fire up while both men are down again. ZSJ goes to a corner, Takagi rises up, and Takagi runs in. Takagi blocks a boot, LARIATS, and fires up himself! The fans fire up with Takagi as he JABS, CHOPS and repeat! Red Shoes counts, Takagi JABS, JABS and CHOPS! Takagi runs, CLOBBERS ZSJ, but ZSJ is right up! Only for Takagi to scoop, SLAM and SENTON! Takagi then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO!

Takagi shouts to the fans, “TOKI GA KITA! <The time has come!>” The fans fire up with Takagi and he rises. Takagi sits ZSJ up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The fans chant “OI! OI! OI!” with each shot! Takagi runs, SLIDING- NO, ZSJ rolls through the lariat to trap the arm! And TWIST! Takagi writhes, the fans rally, and ZSJ takes a moment to catch his breath. ZSJ grabs Takagi’s bad arm, and pulls it in a DISARMER! Then he STOMPS the arm! Takagi writhes and goes to ropes, but ZSJ stalks him. ZSJ wrenches to ELBOW BREAKER, and ELBOW BREAKER, and ELBOW- NO, Takagi has a SLEEPER!

ZSJ slips out, he has a SLEEPER! Takagi throws ZSJ off, then catches ZSJ’s uppercut to spin and suplex! ZSJ fights it, so Takagi SWINGING NECKBREAKERS! Takagi taunts Finlay with a Too Sweet before he goes back for ZSJ. The fans rally as Takagi runs in to LARIAT at the corner! Takagi stays fired up and the fans rally with him. Takagi brings ZSJ up, shoutout to Sabu before he puts ZSJ on the top rope. Takagi climbs, but ZSJ bends the fingers! Takagi fires body shots, then fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! The fans rally, Takagi brings ZSJ up to the very top, and SUPER DUPER PLEXES!! The fans fire up while both men are down again!

Takagi crawls his way over, drags ZSJ back up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! But that was the bad arm! The fans rally, Takagi and ZSJ slowly sit up, and Takagi fires up! “OI! OI! OI!” echoes out again, and Takagi shakes out the arm. Takagi hauls ZSJ up but ZSJ fights the pump handle! ZSJ slips around, Takagi elbows free, but runs into a BOOT! ZSJ KICKS the lariat down! The fans fire up again, but then Takagi hooks ZSJ in the Gory Especial! We pass 10 minutes, ZSJ uses a SLEEPER to get free! Then it’s into the IRON OCTOPUS!! Takagi endures, even as ZSJ has his behind-the-back hold! ZSJ drags Takagi into a GROUND OCTOPUS!

The fans rally, Takagi fights around, reaches out, but ZSJ has both legs! NAPALM DEATH!! Takagi endures, powers free, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as ZSJ backs away. ZSJ then crawls up, grabs the bad arm, and he SNAPS fingers!! And MORE fingers! Red Shoes reprimands but ZSJ STOMPS the arm! Then he runs to PENALTY KICK! Takagi rolls to his feet! POINT-BLANK PUMPING BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Takagi rises, goes to ZSJ, and drags him up. Takagi ROCKS ZSJ, ROCKS him again, and ZSJ staggers away. ZSJ comes back to UPPERCUT!

Takagi ROCKS ZSJ, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Takagi ROCKS ZSJ, ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS the arm again and again! But Takagi catches ZSJ’s arm! MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up again! Takagi roars, the fans are with him, and he drags ZSJ up. Pump handle, but ZSJ fights the lift! ZSJ wrenches, but Takagi RIDGE HANDS again and again! Then he fires boxing elbows! Takagi winds up, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ runs, into a LARIAT! Takagi keeps moving, but ZSJ jumps on! Takagi pushes him back, but ZSJ scoops! ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans are thunderous as Takagi survives! ZSJ reaches up to sit up and the fans rally more. ZSJ grabs at Takagi, Takagi fights his hands off, and they stand. Takagi pushes ZSJ, HEADBUTTS him, and ZSJ drops to his knees! Takagi HEADBUTTS again, but ZSJ SLAPS back! And SLAPS again, and again, and again! ZSJ unleashes furious slaps, but Takagi JABS! ZSJ runs, into a HEADBUTT!! Takagi runs, but ZSJ is up, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! ZSJ rebounds to BOOT! Takagi rebounds to PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi fires up, the fans are thunderous, and Takagi reels ZSJ in, pump handle and torture rack, but ZSJ slips into a SLEEPER!!

Takagi stays on his feet, even with the body scissors, and he BACKPACK SENTONS! But ZSJ clamps back on!! ARMBAR!! Takagi fights around, the fans are thunderous, and Takagi powers up! ZSJ shifts to a TRIANGLE HOLD!! ZSJ squeezes as tight as he can but Takagi still endures! Red Shoes checks, Takagi is fading, and Red Shoes calls- NO, Takagi finds a second wind to tell Red Shoes stop! ZSJ fires elbows but Takagi powers up! DEADLIFT, into the torture rack! LAST OF THE DRAGONS!!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!!!

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

Maybe The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but they do fall! The Front Man is no longer out in front, can he still secure a spot in the playoffs?

As for Takagi, he manages to sit up so that Red Shoes can lift his hand in victory. Takagi still takes a moment to catch his breath before he gets the mic. Takagi apologizes because he’s pretty beat up. But again, a win is a win! That means whether physically or technically, Takagi is the best tonight. And now that Takagi thinks about it, this is the first time NJPW has been in this building. “Yamato Arena” is a pretty good name! The fans cheer that. Yamato is incredibly Japanese. So it doesn’t matter if you’re British, American, or wherever, you aren’t going to beat the Yamato Spirit of this man! The fans cheer that!

Takagi says he’ll say it again, his opponent could be Zack, Sabre, OR Junior, Takagi ain’t losing to ’em! And he’s not done in the G1 yet. “I’m going to run wild right to the top.” The fans cheer again, but Takagi says you’re a little quiet, Osaka. This may be the rice fields of the north, but let’s get more out of them before they’re gone! “Osaka~!” The fans cheer! “Osaka~!!” The fans cheer! “OSAKA~!!” Takagi thanks them for coming today, and that’s all he’s got to say about that! Mic drop from the Rampaging Dragon, will he soar all the way to the top of the heap now? Or is he just one loss away from missing that window?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

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

Here are the current B Block standings!

My Thoughts:

Another great night for G1, with still plenty of surprising results. I figured Jake Lee was winning, he is still a big get for NJPW and they can’t dump on him for being a transfer out of NOAH. But then what an awesome thing for Khan to be the guy that finally beats Evil in this run. That will probably be Khan’s one real win, because I don’t see him doing much better in the last three. Callum is next on August 6th, then it’s Sanada and Naito. Callum could give up a loss to Khan, but Khan is more than likely losing to Sanada and Naito. We saw Naito get a great win off Gabe, and Sanada get a great win off Shota, I’m certain Naito and Sanada are going to stay in the mix until the end for some real playoff drama.

Takagi VS ZSJ was awesome stuff, and I’m actually a little surprised Takagi won. ZSJ is a step behind Evil, so there’s still drama going into their match in the very next round. If ZSJ wins, the records are tied but his win puts him over Evil so that ZSJ would go into the playoffs as the one seed and get that coveted first-round-bye. Takagi winning also keeps him in the mix with Naito and Sanada. Takagi beat Naito, and he’s facing Sanada next, Takagi could box them both out of the playoffs if he wins out from here.

My Score: 8.9/10

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Up Next

Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 34 Results & Report! (8/4/24)

Don't Miss

Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (8/3/24)

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (3/18/25)

Return to the Underground!

Published

2 minutes ago

March 18, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Will Eddy Thorpe Whoop Dat Trick?

While they both want a shot at the NXT Championship, Trick Williams and Eddy Thorpe must first settle their score in THE UNDERGROUND!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

WWE Women’s United States Championship: Chelsea Green w/ The Secret Her-vice VS Sol Ruca w/ ZARIA; wins and
Ricky Saints VS Ridge Holland; wins.
Mixed Six Tag: The D’Angelo Family VS The Culling; wins.
NXT Underground: Trick Williams VS Eddy Thorpe; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to the scheduling choices of KVIA2 CW (El Paso & Las Cruces), coverage of NXT will not begin until 9PM Eastern]

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/17/25)

Semifinal Number Two!

Published

20 hours ago

March 17, 2025

Steven Mitchell

One step away from the Cup!

David Finlay awaits in the New Japan Cup finals, and will either face Shota Umino or Shingo Takagi! Can the Roughneck slay the Rampaging Dragon?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata; Kojima & Nagata win.
10 Man Tag: The United Empire VS El Phantasmo, Jado, Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Daiki Nagai; The United Empire wins.
Six Man Tag: Hontai VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
Six Man Tag: Just4Guys VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; Double Count-Out Draw.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
2025 New Japan Cup Semifinal: Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi; Shota wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS House of Torture!

Yota Tsuji was cheated out of the New Japan Cup by the King of Darkness, but that’s no surprise. However, that means Evil has a golden ticket to the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. Will Dick Togo & Yujiro Takahashi help Darkness Fall? Or can Testuya Naito & Bushi help Yota keep everything tranquilo?

Even now, Naito takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire. Eventually, the pants are put aside, and Naito is wearing the new Tendedero merch shirt. LIJ fist bumps, but The House attacks! The fans boo but the bell rings so this is on record. Evil has Yota on the outside and he CLAWS Yota’s eyes! Yujiro CHOKES Naito, Dick bumps Bushi off buckles, and then Yujiro TOSSES Naito! Dick CHOKES Bushi now, then he and Yujiro double whip. Dick runs corner to corner but Bushi dodges! Bushi BOOTS Yujiro, then headlocks Dick! BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBO! The fans fire up and Bushi hurries to tag Naito.

Naito stomps Yujiro, Bushi joins in, and Evil protests. Evil runs in, but into an atomic drop! Evil staggers away to a corner, Naito & Bushi whip Yujiro into him! Evil falls, Naito kicks Yujiro, and holds him in place, for the NECKBREAKER! Naito poses and the fans cheer. Naito then covers, TWO! Tokyo Pimp is tougher than that, but Naito drags Yujiro up to cravat. Yujiro endures the neck wrench, Naito CLUBS him then whips. Yujiro reverses and Dick gets a cheap shot in! Yujiro runs, but Bushi gets as cheap shot in! Naito runs but Evil trips him up! Dick BLASTS Bushi, Yujiro BLASTS Yota, and Evil drags Naito out.

Evil RAMS Naito into the timekeeper! Abe-san again suffers at the hands of Evil! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Evil drags Naito up. Evil pushes Naito into the ring, then he and Dick loosen the blue buckle pad. Yujiro covers Naito, TWO! Yujiro drags Naito up while the fans rally, but Yujiro snapmares to drop a leg! And he drops another leg! And another leg! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer, but Yujiro taunts LIJ. Yujiro drags Naito up, bumps him off Evil’s boot, and then he tags Evil in. Evil CLAWS Naito’s eyes then stomps away on the legs! The ref reprimands, Evil drags Naito out, and then Evil stomps the leg more!

Evil drops an ELBOW on the knee! Evil pulls on the leg in a toehold, then traps the leg in a leg scissors! Yota runs in and stomps Evil, but Dick TOSSES Yota back out! Evil pulls on the leg, almost has an ankle lock, but Naito has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Evil lets go, and he tags in Dick. They split the wishbone on Naito! The fans rally for Naito but Dick throws down fists. Cover, TWO! Naito is tougher than that and the fans continue to rally. Dick is annoyed, but Naito fires body shots on him! Dick CLAWS Naito’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Dick whips. Naito reverses and ELBOWS Dick, to then arm-drag him!

Naito dropkicks Dick’s legs out! The fans rally, Dick and Naito crawl, hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota CLOBBERS Dick, then BLASTS the House! But Dick CLAWS Yota’s eyes! Yota runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Yota runs corner to corner, to SPLASH! Yota scoops and SLAMS to then run and BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he paces around. Yota drags Dick up, suplexes, but Dick fights that! Dick wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, then punches Yota! Tag to Evil and they mug Yota! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Dick & Evil stand Yota up.

Dick & Evil double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Yota down! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that and the fans rally up, but Evil tells them to shut up. Evil drags Yota to his feet, talks more trash on the fans, but the fans give that back. Evil “puts one out” on Yota, then fireman’s carries! Yota slips free to ROCK Evil! The fans fire up with Yota, he runs, but Evil goes the other way! But Yota catches the pounce into a clinch! BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER, and STOMP! The Gene Combination hits and the fans fire up! Evil sputters, Yota rolls and tags in Bushi. Bushi runs up to dropkick Evil’s legs out! Then Bushi BLASTS Dick!

Yujiro kicks Bushi, whips him to ropes, but Bushi reverses to dropkick the legs out! Evil is back but Bushi DECKS him! Bushi then builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Evil is sent into railing! The fans fire up, Bushi puts Evil back in, and Bushi aims from a corner. Bushi runs corner to corner to ELBOW Evil, then he puts a leg in the ropes to DROPKICK it! Bushi brings Evil out and has the leg, but Evil pulls on the mask! Bushi breaks free, kicks, but Evil blocks, hands it to the ref, and mule kicks Bushi down! Dick & Yujiro BLAST Naito & Yota off the apron! They then double whip Bushi to a corner! Dick ELBOWS Bushi! Yujiro BOOTS! Evil LARIATS!

Dick goes up, Evil & Yujiro hold Bushi open, and the ref reprimands! No one to distract him this time! But then Evil just grabs the ref and turns him around! The ref can’t get free, Bushi suffers the DICK CHOP! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives and the fans fire up! Evil is stunned but he brushes that off. Evil paces around Bushi, slashes his throat, and vows to end this! Evil drags Bushi up, spins him, EVERY- NO, Naito gets in to kick Evil down! Yujiro is in, Evil distracts the ref, and Yujiro blocks a kick to LOW BLOW Naito!! The fans boo, but Yota runs up! Yujiro blocks his kick, and trips him up, to FALLING HEADBUTT LOW BLOW!!

The fans boo but Evil still holds onto the ref. Bushi stands, Evil shoves the ref at him! Bushi pushes the ref aside, and he blocks the low blow! But Dick LOW BLOWS from the other side! Evil & Dick get Bushi up, for MAGIC KILLER!! Cover, the House of Torture wins!!

Winners: House of Torture, by pinfall

But they’re not done, as they beat up on Yota now! They snatch the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship from him, and Evil holds it up. The fans boo, but Evil takes aim at Yota! But Yota LOW BLOWS Dick! And he dodges Evil’s attack to then pop-up LOW BLOW! Yujiro has his pimp cane! Yota blocks that, takes the cane, and LOW BLOWS Yujiro with it! The fans fire up behind Yota as he takes his belt back. Yota holds it up to show that not everything is Evil! Will the Gene Blast stop the House of Torture from having more gold?

2025 New Japan Cup Semifinal: Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi!

The Paradigm Shift has certainly taken a turn after The Roughneck gave up his fiery red locks. Shota has changed up his style in the ring to match his new look, but will this Second Chapter lead to the Cup? Or will this young hero fail to slay the Rampaging Dragon?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. They’re strongly behind “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!” but Shota doesn’t let that bother him. Shota and Takagi slowly step forward, feel things out, then clinch. Takagi waistlocks but Shota turns around to facelock. Takagi wrenches out and has a wristlock, but Shota rolls, wrenches back, and then hammerlocks. Takagi reaches back to headlock and he hits the takeover, but Shota headscissors. Takagi kips free and the fans cheer the standoff. The two reset and feel things out again. They knuckle lock, then go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength! Shota has the leverage but Takagi powers up.

Takagi breaks a grip, wrenches, headlocks, and he grinds the hold. The fans rally up while Shota endures. Shota pries at the headlock but Takagi keeps it on tight. Shota powers up and out the back, then headlocks in return. Takagi endures the grind now, and he powers up and out! They RAM shoulders, Shota keeps going to RAM Takagi! Takagi rebounds to RAM Shota, but Shota stands his ground! Shota fires a forearm, Takagi fires a DOUBLE CHOP! Takagi whips, but Shota reverses to scoop, HOTSHOT, and then he RUNS Takagi over! The fans fire up while Takagi bails out. Shota waits on Takagi, and the fans rally up again.

Takagi takes his time stepping back inside, and he resets with Shota. They knuckle lock, but then Shota shoots in and trips Takagi up. Shota stomps that leg, then he SMASHES the knee off the mat! Shota stalks Takagi to a corner, then puts the leg around ropes. The fans rally, Red Shoes reprimands, but Shota pulls on the leg. Shota then brings Takagi out to trip him, and Shota stomps away on the leg. Shota drops an ELBOW on the knee, and pulls on the toehold! Takagi endures, works his way back, and has the ROPEBREAK! Shota lets go, but then he drops a knee on the knee! Red Shoes reprimands but Shota stomps Takagi’s leg again.

Shota drags Takagi up, facelocks and turns him, but Takagi elbows free! Takagi runs in at the corner but Shota BOOTS him! Shota runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint and DDT! Shota staggers around while the fans fire up, and Takagi LARIATS Shota up and out! Shota staggers into railing then slumps down. The fans rally behind Takagi while he shakes out the bad leg. Takagi goes out to fetch Shota, and he drags Shota back up. Takagi RAMS Shota into the apron, then RAMS him in again! Takagi whips Shota hard into railing and Shota slumps down! Red Shoes wants Takagi to get this back in the ring, so Takagi rolls in.

The fans applaud and the ring count begins. Shota is still down at 5 of 20, sits up at 8, and he rises up at 10. Shota stands at 13 and hobbles his way over. Shota rolls in at 15, but Takagi stands on him! Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi marches in place before he steps off. Takagi KICKS Shota in the back, then drags him up to whip. Takagi KNEES Shota at the ropes, then runs to CLOBBER Shota! The fans fire up and Takagi flexes. Takagi drags Shota up, reels him in and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Shota is tougher than that, but Takagi looks to the camera. Then he wags his finger, it’s not time yet.

Takagi clamps onto Shota with a chinlock and squeezes tight. Shota endures, so Takagi sits him up and shifts around to also trap an arm. Shota endures being twisted and turned, and he kicks his way forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud, and Takagi lets go, only to BELL CLAP! Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi brings Shota around to SENTON! The fans cheer more and Takagi stands back up. Takagi looms over Shota, kicks him around, but Shota just gets mad. Shota glares at Takagi so Takagi eggs him on. Shota stands to fire a forearm! Takagi shakes his head, so Shota fires another forearm! And another!

Takagi wobbles a bit and Shota fires a flurry! But then Takagi blocks one to wrench and knuckle lock! Takagi goes up the ropes!? The fans fire up, but Shota breaks free! Takagi gives thumbs down, and the fans boo, but Takagi HIP ATTACKS Shota down! Takagi rallies the fans behind him, then reels Shota in. But Shota BACKDROPS free! Takagi gets up fast, but Shota dropkicks the legs! Shota turns Takagi for a NECKBREAKER! Shota snarls, goes to a corner, and the fans rally again. Takagi stands, Shota runs corner to corner and UPPERCUTS! Then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Shota stays clam.

Shota drags Takagi up and reels him in, but Takagi fights the lift! Shota CLUBS Takagi, whips him to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks a boot! KNEE JAMMER, and then a SHIN BREAKER! Shota turns Takagi over for the STF! The fans rally as Takagi endures and Shota pulls on the hold! Takagi reaches out, crawls his way over, and fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Shota lets go in frustration. Shota stands Takagi back up to reel him back in, but again Takagi fights the lift! Shota KNEES Takagi again and again, then tries again. Takagi still fights that lift! Takagi CLUBS at the legs, but Shota CLUBS away on Takagi’s back!

Shota UPPERCUTS into a spin! Takagi suplexes, Shota fights it, so Takagi hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down and the fans rally back up. Shota crawls away to a corner while Takagi slaps his leg into working. Takagi watches Shota stand, then he runs in. Takagi blocks a boot, CLUBS the leg, and he LARIATS Shota down! The fans fire up and Takagi gets them even more fired up. Takagi stands Shota up, but Shota fires forearms! Takagi SHOVES Shota down, but Shota is right up to fire more forearms! Takagi THROWS Shota down, but Shota’s right up to fire forearms! Takagi YUKON LARIATS outta nowhere!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi rises and grabs at Shota but Shota shakes him off. Takagi still tries to stand Shota up but Shota kicks him now! So Takagi short arm LARIATS Shota down! And he short arm LARIATS again! Then a scoop for a SLAM, and Takagi goes up! YUKON ELBOW DROP! Takagi hauls Shota up, and hits a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Into an STF! Takagi gives Shota a taste of his own medicine! Shota endures, the fans rally, and then Takagi shifts to Just Facelock! Shota still endures, then fights around and reaches out. Takagi shifts to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Shota still endures!

Shota reaches out but Takagi pulls on that arm! The fans rally, Takagi puts as much as he can into the Fujiwara, but Shota fights and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud while Takagi lets off, and he throws some elbows down for good measure. Takagi then brings Shota up, puts him on the top rope, and he fires ridge hand chops! Takagi climbs up, goes to the very top, and hits a SUPER DUPER PLEX! The fans fire up and Shota writhes! Takagi covers, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans fire up again. Takagi finally says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has finally come! They then join in with “OI! OI! OI!”

Takagi stalks Shota, brings him up, and pump handles, only for Shota to fight the lift! Shota slips free, half nelsons, but Takagi elbows free! Shota UPPERCUTS, then UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Shota winds up and runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi keeps moving, Shota gets around to SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Takagi’s right up to SNAP GERMAN! Shota’s right up, ducks a lariat, and he SNAP GERMANS! Shota roars, runs up, but into a PUMPING BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Takagi and Shota go to opposite ends, and the fans rally up.

Takagi goes to a corner, drags himself up, and Shota is in the other corner. The fans rally harder, and they both run in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! So they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Both stay up, Takagi SWATS a lariat to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Then he whips Shota, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Takagi’s right up!? But Shota LARIATS him back down!! Shota also falls and the fans rally back up! Takagi and Shota stir, and Shota crawls his way over to Takagi. The “SHOTA! SHOTA!” fans are showing up now, and he reels Takagi in, for a POWERBOMB!! High stack cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up again and Shota fires himself up. Takagi slowly rises up, Shota runs, but Takagi swats the lariat! ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- SHOTGUN! But Takagi’s up to PUMPING BOMBER again!! Both men are down again as we hit 20 minutes! Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and Takagi crawls over to Shota. The dueling is starting to sound even, and Takagi brings Shota up. Shota fires boxing elbows, then a ROLLING- NO, Takagi catches him! Pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN! Cover, TWO!! Takagi shouts out Milano Collection AT with how he tucks Shota’s arms! TAKAGI DRIVER 98!! Cover, TWO!!

Shota survives but Takagi keeps moving, SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Takagi gets going again, and he PUMPING BOMBERS!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Shota survives and shocks everyone! Takagi thinks on what he must do now, and he brings Shota back up. The fans rally, Takagi pump handles and torture racks! But Shota kicks and flails to get free! Shota LARIATS, but Takagi stays up while Shota drops to his knees! Takagi shakes his head, brings Shota up again, but Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi goes to a corner, Shota fires forearms and an elbow, then a ROLLING ELBOW! Takagi stays up to ELBOW! JAB! And whip!

Shota reverses, and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up, Shota brings Takagi to his feet for the fisherman and SECOND- NO, Takagi fights that to scoop Shota! LANDSLIDE DRIVER!! The fans rally up again and Takagi watches Shota rise. Takagi runs, Shota dodges, but then Takagi dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS!! Shota falls on the cover, ONE?!?! Shota gest going again, SHOTA BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi will not be beat at his own game and the fans fire up! Shota goes to a corner as the fans are dueling, and Shota BUSAIKU KNEES! Then he hooks the leg, SECOND CHAPTER!!! Cover, SHOTA WINS!!

Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

The Rampaging Dragon has been slain! Perhaps if this was the Shota from before New Beginning, the story would be different, but the Second Chapter writes Takagi out of the tournament. Will Takagi battle his way to the top from a different path?

As for Shota, he decides not to say anything, and exits the ring. But wait! David Finlay & Gedo make their way out here! Gedo grabs the mic to ask, “Oi, kid, where’d you go? Get back out yere, you punk! Get back here, kid!” Shota responds to that taunting and makes his way back out. Gedo tells Shota, “I don’t know what’s going on in your head, but do you realize who you’re facing in the finals? The Savage King, David Finlay! He’s crazy strong, kid! Tougher than you can imagine! Whatever it took for you tog et here, in an instant, it’ll be destroyed! Get over here, ya punk! Get over here! I wanna know how much you want this!”

“You want to come in here, say your piece? Just try!” Gedo drops the mic for Shota, and then Shota stares Finlay down. Shota picks the mic up, and he tells Finlay, “I promise I will beat you.” Finlay likes the sound of that. These two stare down, and we are just days away from them battling for it all! Who will be the 2025 New Japan Cup Champion, and the man aimed squarely at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?

My Thoughts:

Another great night for New Japan Cup, but with as much filler as yesterday’s event. The War Dogs sure have their hands in many things, as does the House of Torture with how Evil is building to a title match with Yota Tsuji. The War Dogs and House of Torture going to Double Count-Out Draw again was a good move, it keeps both sides equal as we wait for them to do whatever huge faction warfare match they’re planning. As for Yota VS Evil, hard to say at this point as House of Torture won the match but then Yota stood tall after that scrap. It’d be really weird if Evil gets that title off Yota just to be a transitional champion to Finlay so that Finlay can get “his” title back.

Shota VS Shingo was a great match, but the crowd really took a second to get into it. There still seems to be a number of fans who are uncertain on Shota so they didn’t feel like cheering right away, but Shota got them on his side as things heated up. Shota winning makes sense, he’s got this new attitude and so that’s part of the push. I hope he changes his aesthetic enough once we get to the finals on March 20th. Take those all white paints, airbrush something on them that helps represent what “Second Chapter” Shota is about, or even just go with a solid color like red or blue to indicate the change visually. As for who wins, that is anyone’s guess, as Finlay will have to circle back to the Bullet Club Civil War at some point.