Will Hirooki Goto still #GetBackUp?

Hirooki Goto is looking to turn back the clock, but he can’t make it to the G1 Climax playoffs if he doesn’t get past David Finlay in tonight’s main event! Will The Rebel ruin Goto’s return to former glory?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

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

Here are the current B Block standings!

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

G1 Climax 34 B Block: Boltin Oleg VS Jeff Cobb!

Now this is a massive match-up! The Kazakh Juggernaut is on the bubble while the Imperial Unit could take over the block! Will Cobb give Oleg a Tour of the Islands before taking him out of the running? Or will Cobb find himself behind BARS?

The bell rings and the fans rally up for Oleg. The two step forward, shake hands and then tie up. The fans cheer the Greco-Roman clinch as the heavyweights go around. They end up on ropes, the ref calls for a break, and Cobb lets off slowly. The fans cheer as the two reset. They circle again, feel things out, and tie up in another clinch. They go for legs now, and Cobb almost has Oleg! Oleg blocks the takedown, waistlocks, and lifts to SLAM! The fans fire up but Cobb bails out. Oleg waits on Cobb, and Cobb slowly returns. Cobb and Oleg reset, circle, and feel things out. Cobb JABS! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands.

Cobb says time for pro-wrestling! Cobb HEADBUTTS, then throat chops! Cobb whips, but Oleg reverses to SIDE SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up again as Oleg storms after Cobb. Oleg ROCKS, CHOPS and stomps Cobb in the corner! Oleg stomps a mudhole in, but lets off as the ref counts. The fans rally up, Oleg eggs Cobb on, and Cobb rises up. Cobb kicks low, CLUBS Oleg on the back, then CLUBS him down! The fans rally, but Cobb stomps on Oleg’s back. Cobb then stands on Oleg to surf, only for Oleg to push up! Cobb stomps Oleg down! Cobb eggs Oleg on now, and Oleg rises. Oleg fires body shots!

Cobb throat chops again, then scoops to SLAM! The fans cheer, and Cobb wipes the sweat from his brow. Cobb salutes, then GACHIMUCHI- FLOP as Oleg moves! Oleg CLUBS Cobb, drags him up, and ROCKS him with forearm after forearm. Oleg whips, Cobb reverses then runs in, but Oleg ELBOWS back. Oleg goes up to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Both men are down, and Cobb goes to a corner. Oleg runs corner to corner but Cobb dodges the splash! Cobb runs up to DROPKICK! The fans fire up, but then Oleg SHOTGUNS Cobb down! The fans fire up more and Oleg storms up. Cobb ROCKS him with a right!

Cobb runs in at the corner to BACK ELB- NO! Oleg catches Cobb! Cobb fights free, but then Oleg clinches! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up, Oleg goes corner to corner, and he SPLASHES! Cobb staggers, Oleg CLOBBERS him! Oleg keeps moving, and he SPLASHES DOWN! Cover, TWO! Cobb stays in this and the fans fire up again. Oleg roars, and he deadlifts Cobb! Cobb fights the gut wrench with elbows, to gut wrench Oleg! Cobb tries on the Shake, Rattle and THROW!! The fans are thunderous and Cobb says that’s HIS move! Cobb storms over to Oleg, stands him up, and runs in, only for Oleg to sidestep! GERMAN SUPLEX!

Oleg roars while Cobb flounders, and now Oleg deadlifts to Shake, Rattle and THROW!! The fans are thunderous, and Oleg kips up! The fans are electric as Oleg goes up and up and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but the fans rally behind “BO-RU-TIN!” Oleg drags Cobb up, fireman’s carries, and KAMI- NO, Cobb grabs ropes! Oleg pries Cobb from ropes, to F5- NO, Cobb slips free of the cyclone! Cobb hoists Oleg up for a SHOTPUT! Oleg staggers up, Cobb lifts him again, URENAGE! FALLING HAMMER!! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives, but Cobb GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives again and the fans are thunderous!

Cobb is beside himself, but he says it’s time! Tour Maker Pose, and Cobb drags Oleg up. Ripcord and TOUR OF- NO, Oleg fireman’s carries! POINT BLANK KAMIKAZE!! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives and the fans are thunderous again! Oleg rises, roars, and he drags Cobb up again. Oleg fireman’s carries, but Cobb fights free! Cobb shoves Oleg, but Oleg LARIATS! Cobb stays up so Oleg runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! The behemoths stagger, but Oleg runs, only for Cobb to SUPERKICK! Cobb runs, and he LARIATS Oleg down!! Cobb roars, the fans are thunderous again, and we hit ten minutes as Cobb scoops for the TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, Cobb wins!

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

This kaiju movie come to life ends, and it is the NJPW World Television Champion who stands tall! Will Cobb continue to climb until he has reached the Climax? Will Oleg have to settle for being a spoiler from here on?

G1 Climax 34 B Block: El Phantasmo w/ Jado VS Konosuke Takeshita!

The Headbanga has been feeling pretty down, but the last couple matches lit that fire again! Will he keep fighting until he’s found his way to the top? Or will he just be prey for The Alpha?

The bell rings and the fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” But then the “TA-KE-SH’TA!” chants show up. The two shake hands and the fans cheer again. The two tie up, EP headlocks, but Konosuke wrenches, hammerlocks then headlocks. ELP powers up and out, but Konosuke runs him over! The fans cheer, things keep moving, and ELP drops down to then DROPKICK! ELP handsprings up and the fans fire up! ELP stands Konosuke up to ROCK him with a forearm, then CHOP him at the ropes. ELP whips, Konosuke TAKESHITA LINES! And he kips up, too! The fans fire up while ELP staggers to a corner.

Konosuke reels ELP in, but ELP fights the Blue Thunder. ELP runs, Konosuke reels him in to back suplex. But ELP lands out! ELP kicks low, reels Konosuke in, but Konosuke wrenches out. ELP dodges the lariat, Konosuke dodges the superkick, and ELP dodges the knee! The fans cheer as the two have a standoff. The fans rally again as the two circle. They step up at center, talk some smack, and ELP ROCKS Konosuke with a forearm. Konosuke winds up to ROCK ELP back! ELP shakes that off, and Konosuke eggs him on, so ELP ROCKS Konosuke again. Konosuke shakes that off, to ROCK ELP again! ELP staggers but he shakes his head!

The fans rally up for ELP and he comes back, but Konosuke ducks! Konosuke winds up but ELP BODY BLOWS Konosuke! Konosuke sputters to a corner, ELP staggers around, and even ELP ends up in a corner. Konosuke coughs while he stands back up, and he storms over to ELP. Konosuke brings ELP up, to DDT! The fans rally and Konosuke paces. Konosuke drags ELP up, whips him to a corner hard, and ELP bounces off buckles to fall to the mat! The fans duel, but the “TA-KE-SH’TA!” overtakes the “E L P!” Konosuke whips ELP hard into a corner again! Konosuke runs in, but ELP dodges! Konosuke’s knee hits buckles and he tumbles out to the floor!

ELP builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Konosuke is sent over railing! The front row is excited to become part of the show, but now ELP goes up to the very top! Young Lions get the fans out of the way as ELP SUPER ASAI MOONSAULTS!! Direct hit and down into the chairs!! The fans are thunderous and the ref hurries to check on both men. The chants for “E L P! E L P!” are again the loudest as he rises from the floor! But Konosuke also stands, and staggers his way back to ringside. ELP catches up and puts Konosuke in the ring. Then ELP goes up to SPRINGBOARD SWANTON! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up again as ELP goes to a corner. ELP drags himself up, then storms over to Konosuke. ELP ROCKS Konosuke with a forearm! ELP fires another but Konosuke fires back! ELP ROCKS Konosuke again, then BOOTS him to the corner! ELP whips corner to corner, but Konosuke reverses. ELP goes up and over, keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard, into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! ELP survives and Konosuke scowls but the fans are thunderous again! Konosuke goes outside the ring, and starts looking under! Konosuke brings out a TABLE! The fans fire up but the ref says don’t do it!

Konosuke sets the table up at ringside, then storms up to the apron. Konosuke drags ELP over, but the ref still tells him to stop. Konosuke stands ELP up, and ELP ROUNDHOUSES him! ELP then reels Konosuke in and tucks the arms! The fans go wild but Konosuke powers up! Konosuke ALPHA ELBOWS ELP, then ALPHA KNEES him! Konosuke hauls ELP up, but ELP grabs ropes to stop the lift! ELP CLUBS away on Konosuke, then slips inside. Only to climb up and bring Konosuke up! Konosuke shoves ELP back, goes up the corner, but ELP ROCKS Konosuke! ELP climbs back up, only for Konosuke to ROCK him back!

Konosuke fires more shots, but ELP ROCKS Konosuke again! And again! And again! ELP then goes to the very top, to SUPER DUPER STEINER!! ELP jumps right back up, for THUNDERKISS 86!! But he bounces off the landing! ELP has to crawl back to cover, TWO!!! Konosuke survives and the fans are electric! And it’s only been 10 minutes! Konosuke and ELP stir, the fans rally as hard as they can, and ELP vows to end this! ELP reels Konosuke in, hooks up the arms, and lifts for- NO! Konosuke powers out, ROCKS ELP, then waistlocks. ELP elbows free, runs, but into elbow! Elbow! ROLLING- ENZIGIRI!

ELP runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke jumps up but ELP gets under! ELP jumps up, to POISON-RANA!! ELP runs, to LARIAT!! And then the hook up, C R 2!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Konosuke survives and shocks everyone! The fans are electric but ELP pleads with the ref! The ref says sorry, but his count was fair, that was still just two. ELP goes to a corner, and with Jado cheering him on, ELP tunes up the band. Konosuke stands, turns around, but he falls before Sudden Death! Konosuke bails out of the ring, but ELP pursues. ELP SUDDEN DEATH! Konosuke flops onto his own table! ELP hurries up top!

The fans are thunderous as ELP climbs to the very top! ELP aims, but Konosuke pushes the table around. ELP hops down to drag Konosuke up, but Konosuke scoops ELP! The fans go nuts as Konosuke has ELP tucked in! BASTARD DRIVER through the table!!! The fans lose their minds as Konosuke might’ve just destroyed ELP! Konosuke leaves ELP behind and wants the ring count! The ref starts, and we see ELP has a bloody cut on his back from that landing! Konosuke wants the count to go faster, we’re only at 4 of 20! ELP flounders at 7, drags himself up with railing and stands at 11! The front row cheers, ELP hobbles at 13, but trips on the table!

ELP is down at 15! He pushes back up at 17, flounders but falls again! 19!! ELP slides in safe at 19.9!! The fans are thunderous, but Konosuke powers up! ALPHA ELBOW!!! And then, he drags ELP back up, suplexes, RAGING- CRADLE!!! Cover, TWO!!! SUDDEN DEATH!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Konosuke escapes once, then survives the next, and we’re at 15 minutes! The fans are as loud as they can be for both men! ELP grabs the ropes to drag himself up. Konosuke sits up at the center of the ring, but ELP crawls over. Konosuke fires a forearm, but ELP fires one back. Neither man has a lot behind those, but they aren’t giving up.

Konosuke sits ELP up so he can fire a flurry! ELP flops back over, but he reaches out. The ref checks on him, and somehow ELP sits up again. Konosuke eggs ELP on, and ELP drags himself up. ELP slashes his throat, and he SPITS at Konosuke! So Konosuke winds up and ALPH- NO, ELP rolls him up, with bridge! TWO!! SUDDEN DEATH!! ELP reels Konosuke in, but Konosuke powers up! Alabama Lift, but the Konosuke swings ELP around into a BASTARD- NO, ELP fights, but that’s just a wheelbarrow! ELP victory rolls! TWO!!! WHEELBARROW GERMAN!!! ELP roars and rises, but into the LARIAT!!! Cover, ONE?!?!?!

The fans are erupting, these two men are going beyond human limits!! POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Konosuke is furious, he suplexes, RAGING FIRE!!!! Cover, KONOSUKE WINS!!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ELP earns 0)

Well damn! This was only the second match of the night, but both men fought like it was the finals! But with this result, Konosuke’s chances improve while ELP is mathematically eliminated! However, because of how hard they fought, Konosuke shows ELP great respect, and ELP returns it. Will The Headbanga still win one more time before the end? Will Konosuke soon become The Alpha of the World?

G1 Climax 34 B Block: Yota Tsuji VS HENARE!

The Gene Blast and the Face of Fury are both 3-3, just a step behind the block leaders. Will Yota find a way to make B Block tranquilo? Or will the NEVER Openweight Champion never give up?

The bell rings and the fans rally while Yota and Henare stare down. “YO~TA!” grins while “HE-NA-RE!” scowls. The two then back up, run back in, and they RAM shoulders! Then they fire forearms back and forth! Henare fires a flurry, then runs, and he RAMS Yota! Yota rebounds to RAM back! Henare rebounds to RUN Yota over! The fans cheer and Henare sits Yota up, but Yota ducks the Rugby kick! Yota then RUNS Henare over! The fans cheer again, and Henare snarls as he stands back up. Yota grins, Henare calls for knuckle locks. The fans rally as Yota obliges. They knuckle lock and have a Test of Strength!

Henare powers up but Yota stands his ground! Henare pours on more power and he makes Yota kneel! But Yota powers up, and he powers Henare back! Yota reels Henare in, but Henare fights the suplex! They fight for suplex control, but they’re evenly matched! The fans rally, and in the end, Henare suplexes! Only for Yota to slip free and shove Henare to a corner! Yota runs in, but Henare ELBOWS him! Henare goes up, FLYING CHUCK! Down goes Yota and the fans fire up! Henare storms over to Yota, stands him up, then ROCKS him with a forearm. And another forearm! Henare gets in Yota’s face, but Yota fires back!

Yota fires more shots but Henare HEADBUTTS! Henare fires KNEE after KNEE in the corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Henare then whips corner to corner, runs up, and he blocks a boot! Yota tries to reel Henare in but Henare LARIATS through! The fans fire up, and Henare fireman’s carries Yota. WASTELAND SLAM, then SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Henare stays focused. Henare scuffs Yota, eggs him on, and then he KICKS Yota in the back! Yota shakes that off and dares Henare to give him more. So Henare KICKS again! Yota falls back, but then sits back up! So Henare KICKS him again!

The fans fire up as Yota stands! Yota fires a flurry of forearms, but Henare HEADBUTTS again and again! Henare whips, Yota holds ropes and BOOTS! Then BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER and STOMP! The fans fire up and Henare shakes that off while Yota catches his breath. Both men stand again, and Yota fires forearm after forearm. Yota whips, Henare reverses, but Yota RANAS! The fans fire up and Henare bails out! Yota builds speed to TORNILLO! Down goes Henare and the fans fire up again! They cheer on “YO~TA!” as he looms over Henare. The ring count starts, but Yota stands Henare up at 6 to put him in at 7.

The fans cheer and Yota storms in. Yota catches Henare to a GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Henare stays in this but Yota stays focused. The fans rally, and Yota scuffs Henare now. Yota taunts Henare like Henare taunted him, so Henare sits up. Yota KICKS Henare! Henare scowls, growls, and Yota KICKS again! Henare stands up so Yota ROCKS him with a forearm! The fans fire up and Yota reels Henare in. Yota suplexes, but Henare fights that to suplex back! They again fight for suplex control, and it’s Henare who hoists Yota up! Yota tries to fight free but Henare keeps Yota up to suplex all the way!

The fans fire up while both men are down, and Henare sits up again. Yota crawls to a corner, but Henare shakes his head. Henare runs in, but into a BOOT! Henare comes back, blocks a boot, but Yota reels him in for the STOMPS! Yota hoists Henare up top, CHOPS him, and the fans rally up. Yota climbs up to join Henare, fires more forearms, but Henare fires body shots! Henare HEADBUTTS, but Yota fires even more forearms! The fans fire up with Yota, and he fireman’s carries Henare! Henare holds on but Yota still rises, to SUPER SAMOAN DROP! Henare writhes and flounders while Yota grins and sits back up.

The fans fire up and Yota storms over to Henare. Yota fires a forearm, but Henare growls. Yota fires more forearms, but Henare leans into them! Yota is hurting his arm more than he is Henare’s face! Then Henare ROCKS Yota! Yota drops to his knees, and Henare stands him up. Yota fires a flurry, then SUPERKICKS! Henare HEEL KICKS! Yota wins up, fires more shots, but Henare ELBOW JABS! Yota rebounds, into the BERSERKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Yota stays in this and the fans rally again. Henare growls, goes to a corner, and the fans rally up. Yota rises while Henare stomps the mat. Henare runs in to RAMP- KNEE!!

Yota brings Henare around, suplexes, but Henare fights that! Henare wrenches out and KICKS! Yota drops to his knees, but Henare KICKS him again! Yota stays up and the fans fire up! Henare KICKS again, and Yota flops over! The fans rally, Henare roars, and Yota manages to stand. Henare runs, Yota blocks a kick! Yota ROCKS Henare, Henare ELBOWS and LARIATS! Yota is still up!! Yota grins, then LARIATS Henare down! Cover, TWO!! Yota roars, brings Henare up, and ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO!! Yota CURB STOMPS Henare! The fans are thunderous as Yota goes to a corner. Yota goes up and up, but Henare dodges the stomps!

Henare LARIATS Yota down! The fans rally, the two men stir, and they go to opposite corners. Henare shakes out the cobwebs, and he runs in at Yota, but Yota RAMS him! And they RAM again! And again! Henare roars, Yota V-TRIGGERS! Henare falls, but Yota sits him up, to V-TRIGGER! Henare shakes his head and roars!! So Yota fires off fast hands from all sides! Henare just grows, so Yota ROCK Shim! Henare returns those shots all in kind! It’s a flurry, and a BODY BLOW! Yota staggers away, Henare run sin, but Yota dodges the Shining Wizard! V-TRIGGER, then a whip! Henare comes back to RAMPAGE!!! Cover, TWO!?!?

The fans are thunderous as Yota survives! Henare roars, we hit 15 minutes, and Henare fisherman’s, but Yota fights free! Henare SHINING WIZARDS in the corner! Then Henare drags Yota into the STREETS- NO, Yota slips free to HEADBUTT! Henare HEADBUTTS back! Both men wobble, but Henare runs, but Yota JUMPS the Rugby kick to GENE BLASTER!! Cover, Yota wins!!

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

Another powerful battle, another powerful finish! Will Yota still turn this into the GENE1? Will Henare still have a chance at the playoffs?

G1 Climax 34 B Block: Yuya Uemura VS Ren Narita!

The Heat Storm was perhaps underestimating El Phantasmo last round, and perhaps the Souled Out Son of Strong Style did the same with Yota Tsuji. Will both men take each other much more seriously? Or will one wrong move spell the end for someone’s G1?

As Yuya steps in the ring, he keeps his eyes on Ren. Ren stays back and Yuya finishes his introductions, and then Ren attacks! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Ren just laughs. Ren runs, the bell rings, and Yuya DUMPS Ren out! The fans cheer and Yuya finally takes off his coat. Yuya then PLAN- NO, Ren trips him up and drags him to a corner! Ren SLAMS the leg into the post! And then again! The ref reprimands, Ren stops, only to drag Yuya to the floor and stomp him. Ren drags Yuya by the bad leg, and SMASHES the knee on the floor! The ref reprimands but Ren drags Yuya up, to whip him hard into railing!

Yuya slumps down, Ren storms over, and Ren drags Yuya up. Ren pushes Yuya into the ring, then puts the bad leg on ropes. Ren stomps away, stops as the ref counts, and Yuya clutches the knee. The fans boo Ren but he just soaks it up. Ren puts Yuya’s leg back on ropes, to HIP DROP it! The ref reprimands and the fans boo more but Ren paces. The fans rally for Yuya, but Ren drags Yuya up. Yuya CHOPS, but Ren just grins. Ren eggs Yuya on, so Yuya CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Ren CLAWS Yuya’s eyes! the ref reprimands, but Ren dumps Yuya out. Ren goes after Yuya more, SHIN BREAKER into the post!

The fans boo but Ren just soaks it up. The ref checks Yuya, and his leg is somehow okay. Ren steps into the ring, wanting the count to handle this. Yuya drags himself over and stands up at 8 of 20, and he hobbles around at 11. Yuya slides in at 12, but Ren stomps away on the leg! The ref reprimands as Yuya is in the ropes, and Ren lets off. Yuya crawls to a corner, but Ren storms over. Yuya shoves Ren away, but Ren comes back. Ren fires forearms, taunting Yuya. Yuya fires up and puts Ren in the corner to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! The fans fire up as Yuya CHOPS more! Ren turns things around, to CLAW Yuya’s face!

The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Ren lets off. Ren then stands Yuya up, whips corner to corner, but Yuya goes up and over. But the bad leg jams! Yuya falls over, Ren runs, but then he stops as he sees Yuya clutch the leg. The fans rally for Yuya, but Ren stands Yuya up. Ren fires hands, whips, but Yuya reverses to arm-drag! Then he DROPKICKS! A little double-edged with the bad leg but Ren is down. Yuya hobbles up and the fans rally behind him. Yuya stands Ren up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again! Yuya whips Ren to a corner, then manages to run in, to CHOP again! The fans fire up while Yuya reels Ren in.

Ren fights the saido, but Yuya still hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Yuya slaps the bad leg. Yuya goes to a corner, climbs up, but wait! Ren drags the ref down, and here comes Yoshinobu Kanemaru! Kanemaru SHOVES Yuya off the top rope! The fans boo but the Heel Master gets away with that. Ren brings Yuya up, but Yuya takes a swing! Only for Ren to drag him down into a KNEEBAR! Ren grapevines the leg but the fans rally for Yuya! Yuya flails, claws at the mat, reaches out, but Ren drags him from ropes! Ren SMASHES the knee, then clamps the KNEEBAR back on!

Yuya still endures and the fans still rally up! Yuya manages to stand, but Ren wrangles him back down! Ren turns Yuya over to put the KNEEBAR on deep! Yuya still fights around, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but Ren doesn’t let go until the ref counts 4. Ren then stomps Yuya, goes to a corner, and climbs. Yuya avoids the flying knee drop! Yuya LARIATS Ren up and out! Kanemaru gets up but Yuya BLASTS him down! The fans fire up and Yuya backs away to a corner. Yuya gets his bad leg working, and he roars as he runs! PLANCHA and he wipes out Ren & Kanemaru! The fans fire up as Yuya stands back up!

Yuya drags Ren up, puts him in the ring, and he roars again! The fans cheer as Yuya climbs, and he CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Ren stays in this but Yuya stays focused. We pass 10 minutes and Yuya stands again. Yuya drags Ren up, reels him in for a full nelson, but Ren grabs at the ref! Yuya avoids the low blow, full nelsons, but Ren breaks it! So Yuya waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Ren escapes but Yuya hauls him up! Yuya cording holds an arm, swings Ren around, but Ren grabs the ref! And then Kanemaru rushes in! WHISKEY- NO, Yuya dodges! Yuya DROPKICKS Kanemaru back out!

The fans cheer, but Ren shoves the ref and goes for his pushup bar! Ren runs up, but Yuya BOOTS the bar! And ENZIGIRIS! DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Ren escapes again but Yuya fires back up! Yuya drags Ren up, reels him in, but again Ren shoves the ref! LOW BLOW! Big KNEE! DOUBLECROSSER!! Cover, Ren wins!!

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

He needed help from The House of Torture this time, but the Souled Out Son of Strong Style still steals one! Will Ren even steal a spot in the playoffs? Or can Yuya heat back up and storm his way back up the block?

G1 Climax 34 B Block: Hirooki Goto VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The Fierce Warrior is still fighting to #TurnItAllAround and return to a G1 finals. But as red hot as he was last round, he now runs into a man who is determined to make NJPW acknowledge him. Will we all see that we need The Rebel? Or will Goto always #GetBackUp?

Finlay throws his War Dogs baseball jersey at Goto, but Goto catches it to throw it away. The bell rings and the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Goto and Finlay circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Goto finds a point of leverage and powers Finlay back to ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Goto lets off slowly, but Finlay messes around. Goto still backs off and the fans cheer. The two reset, circle again, and tie up. Another deadlock, but Finlay pulls hair to put Goto on ropes. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, and Finlay lets off slowly. Finlay pats Goto on the shoulder, but takes a swing! Goto dodges to headlock!

Finlay powers up but can’t power out as Goto holds tight! The fans cheer, Goto hits a takeover, but Finlay pulls hair. Red Shoes reprimands, but Finlay goes to headscissor. Goto shrugs that off, grinds the hold into the mat, but Finlay endures. Finlay moves, fires body shots, then powers out. Finlay drops down, hurdles, but Goto counters the hip toss, only for Finlay to counter the counter! They dosido all the way to ropes, and Goto TOSSES Finaly out to the floor! The fans fire up while Finlay sits up in a huff. Goto waits on Finlay while the fans rally again, “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Finlay frowns, storms in, but Goto kicks low.

Goto whips, Finlay reverses, but Goto CLOBBES Finlay! The fans rally more, but Finlay fireman’s carries first! HOTSHOT, and then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Goto bails out, Gedo applauds, and Finlay storms out after Goto. Finlay RAMS Goto into railing, then brings Goto around to BITE on the forehead! The fans boo but then Finlay SPITS at them, and flips them off. Finlay goes to the apron so more people can see him flip them off. Finlay hops down, he rains down fists and stomps on Goto, but lets off as Red Shoes reprimands. Finlay Too Sweets the camera, then he drags Goto back up.

Finlay puts Goto in the ring, the fans applaud, and Finlay covers. Red Shoes says no, the shenanigans were too much. Finlay says fine, and he stomps. Cover, ONE! Goto shakes his head but Finlay clamps on with shoulder claws. Goto endures, but Finlay fishhooks him! Finlay hides it from Red Shoes, then he ELBOWS Goto in the head. Red Shoes reprimands but Finlay scuffs Goto. Finlay digs his sole into Goto’s face, then steps off as fans boo. Finlay drags Goto up, UPPERCUTS him down, then stands on Goto’s foot. Finlay stomps Goto, but the fans continue to rally. Finlay taunts Goto, saying he can’t let down the fans, they believe in him! Then he CHOKES Goto!

Red Shoes reprimands, counts, and Finlay lets off at 4. The fans boo more but Finlay just soaks it all up. Finlay flips them off, so the fans boo more. Finlay storms up on Goto in a corner as we reach five minutes, but Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Finlay throat chops! Finlay whips, Goto reverses and runs in, but into a BOOT! Finlay runs, but Goto follows and LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto drags Finlay up, fires forearms, then puts Finlay in a corner. Goto whips corner to corner, runs in and MURAMASAS! Then SAIDOS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Goto as he brings Finlay back up.

Finlay fights the fireman’s carry with elbows, but then Goto ROCKS him! Goto runs up, Finlay dodges, and Finlay LARIATS Goto and himself up and out of the ring! They both tumble to the floor, and the fans rally up again. Finlay sits up first, and he laughs that one off. Finlay does push-ups to show his arm is just fine. Finlay flips Goto off, drags him up, and RAMS him into railing! Goto slumps down but Finlay grins. Finlay pulls up floor mats! Red Shoes reprimands but Gedo likes where this is going! Finlay talks smack to Yoshi-Hashi on commentary about what’s gonna happen to his friend!

Red Shoes reprimands, but Finlay goes over to drag Goto over to the bare floor! Finlay reels Goto in, hoists him up, but Goto fights free! Finlay kicks low, tries again, but Goto fights the lift! Goto powers up, the fans fire up, and Goto BACK DROPS Finlay onto the floor! Finlay writhes on that bare tile, and Gedo is very worried. Goto rises, the fans rally again, and Goto stomps Finlay around. Goto whips Finlay but Finlay reverses to send him hard into railing! Both men are down this time as Finlay catches his breath. The ring count starts, but reaches 8 of 20 before Finlay rises. Finlay then drags Goto up at 12, and he puts Goto in the ring.

The fans cheer, but Finlay says Goto isn’t getting off that easy. We pass 10 minutes, and Finlay BITES Goto’s fingers! The fans boo, Red Shoes reprimands, and Finlay SPITS at Red Shoes. Finlay BITES Goto’s hand again! Red Shoes counts, Finlay lets off, and they argue. Red Shoes tells Finlay to respect his authority, but Finlay flips him off, too. Finlay then runs in to UPPERCUT! Finlay runs, Goto follows, and LARIATS! Goto suplexes, but Finlay slips free! Goto avoids the clinch to shove and fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Finlay clutches his neck while the fans cheer on “GO-TO-O!”

Goto and Finlay both slowly rise, and Goto brings Finlay around to fire a forearm! Finlay fires back! Goto fires another forearm! Finlay fires back! Goto fires yet another, so Finlay hits back, and they go back and forth as they stand up. Goto eggs Finlay on, ROCKS him, so Finlay fires back! The shots go faster and faster, then Finlay gets the edge. Finlay winds up, but Goto catches him to an URA GTR! Then a LARIAT!! The fans are thunderous and Goto roars! Goto drags Finlay up while Gedo shouts! Goto dragon sleepers, but Finlay snapmares free! Ghost pin, TWO! Finlay ROLLING ELBOWS! Goto ends up in a corner, Finlay runs in, but Goto puts him in the ropes!

Goto dragon sleepers, for a DRAPING SHOTO!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives, it just isn’t as strong without Hashi. But Goto roars and the fans rally up again! Goto dragon sleepers, but Finlay spins around! Suplex, INTO OBLIVION! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and Finlay is frustrated. The fans rally harder for Goto but Finlay drags Goto up. Finlay reels Goto in, hoists him up, and BUCKLE BOMBS! Then another POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans are thunderous! Finlay is beside himself, Gedo complains to Red Shoes, but the fans rally as hard as they can. Goto stirs, but Finlay flexes and flips everyone off.

Finlay slashes his throat, drags Goto up, and reels him back in. Suplex and- NO, Goto knees that one down! Goto and Finlay now fight for suplex control! Goto tries, Finlay tries, but then Goto hoists Finlay up! SHOTEN KAI!! But Goto can’t make the cover! We pass 15 minutes, the fans fire up again, and both men slowly stir. Red Shoes checks on them both, and while he checks Goto, Gedo sneaks Finlay the shillelagh! Goto sits up, Finlay hides the weapon under his stomach. Gedo distracts Red Shoes, and fans boo, but that gives Finlay his opning! But Goto ducks the shillelagh to HEADBUTT! Goto grabs the shillelagh, but now Red Shoes sees it!

Goto drops the shillelagh out of the ring, and he powers up! BUZZSAW! Finlay flounder sup, into the fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO?!? Finlay survives, but Goto fires up! Dragon sleeper, G T- NO, Finlay backslides, rolls through, suplexes, but Goto blocks the knee!! Finlay fires off furious forearms! ROLLING- HEADBUTT!! The fans are electric as Goto stands over Finlay! Goto drags Finlay up, dragon sleepers, and- NO, Finlay tries to fight it! Goto grabs that arm, powers it down, and G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Finlay earns 0)

The Fierce Warrior takes down The Rebel, and now Finlay’s odds of making the playoffs are much more complicated! Will Finlay find a way to rise back up in the homestretch?

As for Goto, he catches his breath to stand up and take the mic. “Thank you, everyone, for this sold-out Korakuen Hall!” The fans cheer, and Goto says nothing tops this! This is the G1! The fans also cheer that, and Goto continues, “And there’s something special about today.” Oh? Goto’s son and daughter came to cheer him on! The fans cheer, and we get a look at the little Gotos at ringside. Goto gladly says, “Daddy won!” He also adds, “Your pops gave his all today, so you do the same in school tomorrow.” The fans cheer that, too! Goto’s daughter gets emotional now, and he promises, he isn’t angry. Maybe she’s just so proud of her papa.

Goto continues, “No one knows how this G1 will play out. But I’m sure there’s one thing you all know.” The fans chant for “GO-TO-O!” again, and he says that’s right! The G in G1 stands for GOTO! The fans cheer again as The Fierce Warrior continues forward. Will NJPW once again see Goto go to the Climax?

Here are the current A Block standings!

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

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

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

My Thoughts:

Another awesome round for the G1. B Block clearly saw A Block the other day and said they could do even bigger and better, because they sure did! A great showing from Oleg against Cobb even in defeat, and then ELP VS Konosuke was pretty much match of the night. However, Oleg and ELP are now both out of the running, so they’ll just be hoping to spoil someone else’s chances. Yota VS Henare was also solid stuff, another great win for Yota. If Yota isn’t going to win this G1, he and Henare could have a great NEVER Openweight Championship match for the Destruction tour.

Yuya VS Ren was perhaps the only match not quite on the level of these others, but again, that’s what happens when the House of Torture cheats things. Cobb is leading the block but Ren’s right behind, and Ren won their 1v1 earlier so if something happens, Ren will take the top spot instead. But perhaps the most shocking, Goto not only gives us another epic match, he wins out against Finlay. B Block continues to be very competitive with a lot of people at 4-3. Goto has ELP on August 10th, and he has Henare on the 14th, so it’s possible Goto gets in as like second or third seed, having to fight in that wild card match. I don’t know if he makes it to the finals, but it feels like the fans would love to see it.

My Score: 9/10