Heat Storm and Gene Blast meet again!

Yuya Uemura and Yota Tsuji have vowed to be the sun and moon of NJPW’s future, but then which one will rise and which will fall in the G1’s third round?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• YOSHI-HASHI & Shoma Kato VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney & Taiji Ishimori; Drilla & Taiji win.
• El Phantasmo & Jado VS Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Ren & Kanemaru win.
• Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young VS Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero; Konosuke & Rocky win.
• Shota Umino & Katsuya Murashima VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Hartley Jackson; ZSJ & Hartley win.
• G1 Climax 35 A Block: Ryohei Oiwa VS Callum Newman; Oiwa wins.
• G1 Climax 35 A Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Boltin Oleg; Oleg wins.
• G1 Climax 35 A Block: EVIL VS SANADA; Sanada wins.
• G1 Climax 35 A Block: Taichi VS David Finlay; Taichi wins.
• G1 Climax 35 A Block: Yuya Uemura VS Yota Tsuji; Tsuji wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the A Block standings!

Evil: 2-0, 4 points
Yota Tsuji: 1-1, 2 points
David Finlay: 1-1, 2 points
Boltin Oleg: 1-1, 2 points
Callum: 1-1, 2 points
Ryohei Oiwa: 1-1, 2 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 1-1, 2 points
Taichi: 1-1, 2 points
Yuya Uemura: 1-1, 2 points
Sanada: 0-2, 0 points

Here are the B Block standings!

Yoshi-Hashi: 2-0, 4 points
Drilla Moloney: 2-0, 4 points
Ren Narita: 1-1, 2 points
Shota Umino: 1-1, 2 points
El Phantasmo: 1-1, 2 points
Konosuke Takeshita: 1-1, 2 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 1-1, 2 points
Great-O-Khan: 1-1, 2 points
Shingo Takagi: 0-2, 0 points
Gabe Kidd: 0-2, 0 points

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Ryohei Oiwa VS Callum Newman!

While The Mullet was put behind BARS, the Prince of Pace was able to trump The Ace, making both men 1-1 in the run. Who rises up the ranks while the other falls here in the third?

Callum and Oiwa get face to face and talk a little trash first. They then back up to their corners, the bell rings, and the two run up! Callum BOOTS Oiwa, Oiwa stays up, but Callum BOOTS again! Callum whips, Oiwa reverses, but Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to BOOT again! Oiwa rebounds to CLOBBER Callum, but Callum kips up! Callum SWEEPS the legs, then runs to PENALTY KICK! Callum TOSSES Oiwa out, then PLANCHAS onto him! The fans fire up with Callum and he brings Oiwa up. Callum whips Oiwa hard into railing, then runs up to KICK Oiwa down! Callum leaves Oiwa behind for the ring count to handle.

Oiwa sits up at 5 of 20, stands at 9, and rolls in at 10, only for Callum to basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Oiwa stays in this. Callum paces, Oiwa sits up, and Callum scuffs him. Callum kicks Oiwa, then KICKS Oiwa! Callum scrapes his soles off Oiwa’s face, then eggs him on. Oiwa rises, the fans rally, and Oiwa kicks Callum’s leg! Callum CLUBS Oiwa for that but he still hobbles. Callum goes to ropes, comes back, and he kicks low. Callum facelocks, suplexes, but Oiwa fights it! Oiwa suplexes Callum up and over! The fans fire up while both men are down. Oiwa drags Callum up, CHOPS, then whips.

Callum reverses but Oiwa CLOBBERS him! And arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! Oiwa handsprings up and the fans fire up again! Oiwa goes over to Callum, stomps him, then brings him up. Callum fights the lift, but Oiwa powers through! TENZAN PLEX! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this and the fans applaud. Oiwa drags Callum by a leg, then stomps the leg! Then stomps it again! Oiwa has the standing toehold and he pushes down on the leg! Then SNAP LOCKS it! Callum shouts in pain, but Oiwa SPLASHES down on the leg! Oiwa has another toehold, pulls on the leg this time, but Callum fights his way to the ROPEBREAK!

The fans applaud and Oiwa lets go. Callum clutches his leg but he refuses to let this end here. Callum goes to the corner but Oiwa stands him up. Oiwa wraps the leg around ropes! The ref counts, Oiwa stops, and he goes corner to corner, but he blocks Callum’s boot! Callum ENZIGIRIS Oiwa, then ROUND- NO, Oiwa ducks the roundhouse, but not the HEEL KICK! Callum swings but Oiwa catches him to a DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Oiwa rises, he drags Callum up, but Callum breaks free. Callum hobbles, Oiwa eggs him on, so Callum throws forearms. Oiwa fires back, Callum hobbles, but Callum comes back to fire another!

Oiwa nods, and he fires another forearm. Callum leans on the ropes but he shakes his head. Callum and Oiwa go forearm for forearm back and forth! Oiwa ROCKS Callum but Callum fires up! Callum KICKS Oiwa! And KICKS! Callum hobbles, fires up again, and the fans cheer. Oiwa blocks the kick, spins Callum, but Callum ROLLING ELBOWS! Then SPIN- NO, Oiwa blocks the spin kick and steps over, INVERTED HALF CRAB! Callum endures as Oiwa kneels down to put on the pressure! The fans rally, Callum claws at the mat and fights forward, but Oiwa drags him back, and then SMASHES the knee on the mat!

The fans rally up while Oiwa paces. Oiwa steps through but Callum kicks at him. Oiwa staggers away, Callum hobbles up, and Callum SWATS the lariat! Oiwa SWATS the roundhouse! But Callum avoids the basement dropkick! PENALTY KICK! Oiwa is right up, but Callum LARIATS him down! The fans fire up with Callum and he brings Oiwa up. Callum hooks the leg, FIREBOLT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Oiwa stays in this. Callum goes to the ropes, stands up, and he roars again. The fans cheer and Callum underhooks Oiwa. Oiwa fights the lift, wrenches out, but Callum ROCKS him! Oiwa LARIATS back!

Oiwa rises now, he fires up, and the fans cheer again. Oiwa stalks Callum, waistlocks, and deadlifts, but Callum fights it! Callum bucks the O’Conner Roll and BUSAIKU KNEES! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives and the fans fire up again. Callum fires himself up and the fans join in. Callum rises, calls his shot, but Oiwa GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, ONE! Oiwa holds on, and GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Callum fights the third, so Oiwa pushes him to the corner, CHAOS THEORY! Bridging cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Callum up, brings him around, spin and- HEADBUTT from Callum!

Callum BOOTS Oiwa’s lariat, but Oiwa spins through for THE GRIP!! Cover, Oiwa wins!!

Winner: Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Callum earns 0)

The Prince of Pace tried to push the pace, but it was The Grip that ended this in a snap! Will Oiwa show just how mighty he truly is? Will Callum be able to rise up and redeem himself in the next round?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Boltin Oleg!

As stated, The Ace could not keep up with the Prince of Pace, but BARS held up against The Mullet. Tanahashi is President of NJPW and a fellow member of Hontai, but will Boltin not hold back? Or will the Final Road get back on track?

As usual, the fans cheer as Tanahashi shows off his abs. The bell rings and the fans rally behind Tanahashi, but there are some “BOL~TIN! BOL~TIN!” in the mix. The two feel things out, back up, then go again. Oleg waistlocks, Tanahashi switches, but Oleg switches back. Tanahashi wrenches to wristlock but Oleg wrenches back. Oleg has the wristlock but Tanahashi wrenches back. Tanahashi hammerlocks, then headlocks, then hits the takeover. Oleg headscissors and he holds on tight as Tanahashi fights around. Tanahashi turns, pops free, and he pats Oleg on the knee as he backs off. The fans applaud the sportsmanship as the two reset.

Oleg and Tanahashi circle again, tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and are in a deadlock! Oleg finds the right point of leverage and he puts Tanahashi on the ropes. The ref counts, Oleg lets off slowly, and the fans cheer. But then Tanahashi fires a body shot! Oleg CHOPS in return! Oleg CHOPS Tanahashi again and has him in a corner. Tanahashi ELBOWS back, goes up, and CROSSBODIES! The fans cheer and Tanahashi air guitars. Tanahashi runs to dropkick Oleg’s leg! Tanahashi grabs that leg, but Oleg rolls to throw Tanahashi first! Oleg then runs corner to corner and SPLASHES! Then BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO!

The fans applaud as Tanahashi survives, but Oleg stomps him around. Oleg then gut wrenches Tanahashi, but Tanahashi fights off the lift! Oleg powers through to Shake, Shake, Shake! But Tanahashi reaches for ropes! Oleg keeps him away to Shake, Shake, Shake! And then THROW! The fans fire up, Oleg hurries to cover, TWO! Tanahashi survives but Oleg stomps him again. Tanahashi grits his teeth and sits up but Oleg CLUBS him on the back. Tanahashi stands to fire forearms, but Oleg RAMS him into the corner! Oleg stomps, CHOPS, and the fans fire up. Oleg goes corner to corner but Tanahashi dodges the splash!

Tanahashi storms up, blocks a kick, and now he DRAGON SCREWS! The fans fire up while both men are down again. Tanahashi rises, the fans rally up, and Tanahashi fires fast hands. Tanahashi fires up, but Oleg blocks the whip! Oleg holds on so Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS! Tanahashi whips, Oleg reverses, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up with Tanahashi as he brings Oleg over. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Oleg into the drop zone! Tanahashi hops up, and he SUNSET SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Oleg survives but he sputters from that impact. Tanahashi rises, the fans rally, and Tanahashi runs, but Oleg slips around the back!

Oleg waistlocks, Tanahashi fights the lift to switch, and he uses the ropes to GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Tanahashi rises again. Oleg stands, Tanahashi runs, but Oleg DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Oleg rises, storms over to Tanahashi, and he drags Tanahashi up to scoop and SLAM into the drop zone! Oleg goes up, up, VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Tanahashi survives, but Oleg rolls with Tanahashi to lift him up! And then fireman’s carry! KAMI- NO, Tanahashi slips down, rolls Oleg up, TWO!! Oleg rises, and he blocks the Twist ‘n’ Shout! Oleg suplexes, but Tanahashi fights it! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

Tanahashi holds on, drags Oleg up, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then a third TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!! The fans fire up for the hattrick, and Tanahashi runs to SLINGBLADE! Oleg is down, Tanahashi fires up, and the fans are with him! Tanahashi climbs but Oleg ROCKS him! Oleg gorilla presses Tanahashi into a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives again and the fans are thunderous! Oleg roars, he drags Tanahashi up, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Oleg fireman’s carries again, but Tanahashi slips into the SLINGBLADE! The fans are thunderous again as Tanahashi runs, SLINGBLADE!! Cover, TWO!!

Oleg survives and the fans are roaring! Tanahashi goes up, up, but Oleg stands! Tanahashi HIGH FLY ATTACKS, but Oleg catches him! And he pops Tanahashi back up! KAMIKAZE!! Cover, OLEG WINS!!

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

An epic battle of teacher and student, and Oleg shows great respect right after the bell. Will Oleg carry the baton and NEVER tire out? Or can The Ace dig deep and finish his Final Road?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: EVIL w/ Dick Togo & Don Fale VS SANADA!

Well now, this is an interesting situation. The King of Darkness has cheated his way to 2-0, though nothing’s new there. The Cold-Blooded Snake hasn’t had such luck, he’s 0-2. Will Sanada be sacrificed to ensure Everything is Evil? Or will his pride as a wrestler keep him from giving up?

Evil does the “Put one out” fist bump with Dick & Fale, then Sanada walks over to do the same. But then Evil kicks Sanada from behind! The bell rings, Evil wrenches and whips, then he runs up, only for Sanada to dropkick the leg out! Sanada whips, Evil reverses, but Sanada stops short as he spots Dick there! Evil runs up, but Sanada DUMPS him out! Sanada waits on Evil, but Evil goes looking under the ring. The ref reprimands so Evil stops that. Evil steps into the ring, Sanada runs up, but Fale points it out! Sanada stops short and apologizes. Oddly enough, the House of Torture members are keeping each other honest.

Sanada and Evil shake hands, but then Evil blocks the kick! Evil wags his finger, to CLAW Sanada’s eyes! Okay, so much for staying honest… Evil gives Sanada’s foot to the ref, then mule kicks Sanada down! Sanada bails out, Evil pursues, and Evil whips Sanada, only for Sanada to reverse! Evil hits railing then stumbles through the gate. Sanada pursues, drags Evil up, and he brings Evil around commentary to THROW into Milano Collection AT! They both go down and bring the table with them! The fans are stunned but Sanada just watches as Evil slowly gets up off Milano. Sanada then headlocks Evil, brings him around, and puts him in the ring.

Evil sputters, Sanada storms up to the apron, but Evil BLASTS him back down! Sanada falls back into the timekeeper’s table and down goes Abe-san! So much collateral damage! Evil goes out and brings Sanada up. Evil puts Sanada in the ring, storms up in the corner, and whips him corner to corner. Sanada stops short because he sees the bare buckles! Evil runs up but Sanada dodges to send Evil into the buckles! Sanada then reels Evil into a dragon sleeper! SKULL END! Evil flails, and someone rings the bell? It was YOSHINOBU KANEMARU! The Heel Master gets one over on Sanada! Evil CLUBS Sanada, THROWS him out, and Dick attacks!

Dick & Fale mug Sanada, put him back in the ring, and Evil steps through! SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Sanada endures, fights forward, but Evil sits deep! Wait, Kanemaru yanks the ref out?! And sends him into railing!? Kanemaru is making himself the ref?!? Evil asks what the heck, Dick asks what the heck, and Ref Nobu says shoo! Fale says cut it out, Kanemaru! Kanemaru backs down so that lets Evil & Dick set Sanada up! Fale goes up, but Kanemaru stands in his way? Whose side is Kanemaru on? Dick & Evil let Sanada go, Fale hops down, and Kanemaru has seemingly gotten everyone to remember, they’re all House of Torture.

Evil aims at Sanada, runs up in the corner, but Sanada BOOTS him! SANADA QUEBRADA, but Evil ducks it! EVERYTHING- NO, Sanada slips through, clinches, DEAD- NO, Evil slips free and shoves Sanada! Sanada catches Evil to EVERYTHING- NO, Evil slips through to DEAD- NO, Sanada slips free and shoves! Sanada dodges, O’Conner Roll and SKULL END! With the body scissors!! Evil endures, Kanemaru checks on him, but then the real ref, Marty Asami, drags Kanemaru out! And he takes his shirt back! The fans cheer as Marty lays down the law! Sanada complains but Marty says shut it!

Marty storms into the ring, the fans applaud, but Sanada shoves him! Marty SHOVES Sanada! Evil covers, TWO!! Sanada is up, Evil gets around, but Sanada grabs Marty! Evil avoids the low blow, shoves the ref down, and then LOW BLOWS Sanada! Sanada sits down, Dick tosses Evil a merch shirt, and Evil goes to choke Sanada! But Sanada drags Evil down into the victory roll! Cover, SANADA WINS!!

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

Well isn’t that something! Even putting Kanemaru aside, Evil had the advantage and still lost! Sanada says no hard feelings, though, and they all put it out. But will this one loss cost Evil a spot in the finals? Or can he just shuffle and stack the deck even higher?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Taichi VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!

The Holy Emperor was victorious in the main event last round, but the top dog took down the Cold-Blooded Snake, so they’re both 1-1. Will Taichi keep his momentum going? Or will NJPW still need The Rebel?

The bell rings and the fans rally up behind Taichi. Finlay brushes that off as he and Taichi circle. They tie up and Taichi pushes Finlay back step by step. They end up on the ropes, Finlay turns things around but Taichi turns it back. Red Shoes counts the break but Finlay is the one holding on. Finlay and Taichi slowly let go and the fans applaud as they reset. The two go again, feeling out a knuckle lock. Taichi KICKS Finlay’s leg, but Finlay fires a forearm! They go back and forth, kick for forearm, but Finlay fires a flurry. Taichi SOBATS! The fans cheer, Taichi runs, but Finlay blocks the boot to ROCK Taichi!

Finlay runs but Taichi BACKDROPS him! Finlay is right up, runs back in, but Taichi gets around! DANGE- NO, Finlay grabs the ropes to stop the saido! Red Shoes counts the break, Taichi and Finlay let go slowly but still push each other. Taichi fires a RIDGE HAND, but Finlay fires a flurry of forearms! Finlay eggs Taichi on, so Taichi DECKS him! The fans fire up while Finlay flounders out of the ring. Taichi seethes, then he goes out to fetch Finlay. Taichi backs Gedo down with a glare, then he kicks Finlay. Taichi whips Finlay hard into railing and Finlay drops to his knees. Gedo protests but Taichi storms up on Finlay again.

Taichi RIDGE HANDS Finlay, then reels him in, DANGER- NO, Finlay lands out of the suplex, and he POSTS Taichi! Finlay rains down fists on Taichi, stomps him, then goes to the apron to soak up cheers and jeers. Finlay fetches Taichi, drags him into the ring, and the fans applaud. Cover, TWO! Finlay grinds his forearm into Taichi’s face! Red Shoes reprimands and Finlay stops. The fans rally for Taichi as Finlay top wristlocks, and Finlay JAMS Taichi’s hand into the mat! Then Finlay stomps it! Finlay drags Taichi up, whips him hard into a corner, and Taichi slumps down. The fans rally but Finlay storms up on Taichi.

Finlay whips Taichi hard into the corner again! Taichi falls down, Finlay taunts him, and Finlay drags Taichi up by his hair. But Taichi RIDGE HANDS! And RIDGE HANDS! And KICKS! AX- NO, Finlay catches Taichi to an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Taichi survives, but Finlay pushes Taichi to a corner. Taichi sits up, Finlay barks, and fans do bark with him. Finlay runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! Finlay staggers and falls! The fans fire up with Taichi, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi huffs ‘n’ puffs and fires back up! Taichi aims from the corner, but Finlay ELBOWS him! And BROKEN ARROW!

Finlay grins and flexes but the fans still rally for Taichi. Finlay waits on Taichi to rise, mockingly cheers him on, and runs in, but Taichi dodges! AX BOMBER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taichi rises, BUZZ- NO, Finlay ducks the kick to UPPERCUT! Taichi URAKENS! Finlay LARIATS! Taichi BOOTS, CHOPS, BLINDSLIDE LARIATS, and then GAMANGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Gedo coaches Finlay but Taichi raises his hand. “OSU!” DANGEROUS- NO, Finlay fights the suplex! They go to ropes, Finlay fires hands, but Taichi DANGEROUS SAIDOS Finlay up and out to the floor!

The fans are thunderous while Finlay writhes on the mat. Red Shoes and Gedo check on Finlay, Gedo wants a disqualification but that wasn’t an illegal throw. The ring count climbs, Finlay is still down at 10 of 20, but he sits up at 12. Finlay flounders around, but Taichi goes out to put Finlay in at 16! The fans cheer as Taichi winds up, POINT-BLANK AX BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and the fans are thunderous! Taichi rises, roars, and he goes back to the corner. Finlay rises, Taichi aims, TENSHO- NO, Finlay dodges to roll Taichi! TWO, but Finlay cradles, TWO!! Taichi escapes, but Finlay suplexes INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO?!?!

The fans are thunderous but Finlay is furious that Taichi survives! Finlay drags Taichi up but he’s a ragdoll, so he wants Red Shoes to call this. Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taichi is still in this, so Finlay hauls him! BUCKLE- RANA into buckles! Taichi sets up, YOKOZUNA- NO, Finlay catches the elbow to wrench and suplex! OVER- NO, Taichi fights that to scoop, but Finlay slips free! ROLLING- NO, Alabama Lift! BLACK ME- NO, Finlay fights that to finally BUCKLE BOMB!! Finlay runs, TENSHO- NO, Finlay blocks that to ROLLING ELBOW! Finlay roars and vows to end this! OVER- NO!! Taichi blocks, trips, and LAST SUPPER!! TWO!!!

Finlay escapes, but Taich has the GEDO CLUTCH!! TWO!!! Finlay escapes again, but TENSHO JUJIHO finds him!!! The fans are electric as Taichi keeps going, BLACK MEPHISTO!!! Cover, TAICHI WINS!!

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

Don’t call it a comeback! Taichi’s been here for years, rockin’ his peers, puttin’ suckers in fear, because that’s a wrap! Taichi is up, but will he continue to rise? Will Finlay figure out how to turn this around?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Yuya Uemura VS Yota Tsuji!

Tonight’s main event is a highly anticipated rematch as Heat Storm and Gene Blast meet again. There has been much talk about “the sun and the moon” of NJPW, how both are needed for NJPW to be complete. But will the sun shine brighter than ever? Or will it be eclipsed by the moon?

The bell rings and the fans rally up already. The dueling is strong, and Red Shoes notes it is 50-50. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, Yuya wrenches to wristlock, but Yota waistlocks. Yuya wrenches out to hammerlock, but Yota switches. Yota half nelsons, spins Yuya to a cravat, and Yuya endures the neck wrench. Yuya swim moves to bring Yota down, and he rolls to wrangle Yota with a top wristlock. Yota rolls, headscissors, and pushes back to have a double wristlock. Yota shifts to a waistlock but Yuya wrenches to hammerlock. Yuya shifts to a headlocks, and he thrashes the hold.

Yota endures, fights up, and he powers out to then scoop. Yuya slips free, shoves, but Yota RUNS him over! The fans applaud while Yuya pounds the mat in frustration. Yota drags Yuya up, bumps him off buckles, then RAMS him into the corner again and again. Yota CHOPS and the fans rally up. Yota whips corner to corner, Yuya reverses and SAYANAGIS! Then ARM SCREW! The fans applaud and Yuya goes to a corner. Yota sits up, Yuya runs in, basement DROPKICK! Yota goes to a corner now, and Yuya storms up to wrench and wrench and hammerlock. Yota endures but Yuya wrangles him down to the mat.

Yota reaches back to headlock, but Yuya bridges to put pressure on the hammerlock! The fans applaud, then Yota and Yuya stand. Yota fires an elbow but Yuya holds onto the arm. Yota reaches back, pushes Yuya to ropes, and snapmares, but Yuya rolls with him! Yuya then ghost pins, TWO! Yota swings, Yuya dodge and arm-drags again! The fans applaud while Yuya grinds the arm down. Yuya top wristlocks but Yota fights his way up again. Yota stands, fires forearms, but Yuya wrenches to CHOP! Yuya whips, Yota reverses, and Yota scoops to BACKBREAKER! Both men are down but the fans fire back up.

Yota shakes out his arms and he rises again. Yota storms up on Yuya in a corner, whips him corner to corner, but Yuya reverses. Yuya runs in but Yota puts him on the apron. Yota then trips Yuya, runs, and WRECKS him with a baseball slide dropkick! The fans fire up while Yuya falls to the floor. Yota nods and smiles while Yuya rises. Yota builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit and Yuya hits railing! The fans fire up again while Yota stands back up. Yota takes a lap around the ring to shake out his arms but the ring count climbs. Yota returns to Yuya at 12 of 20, puts him in at 14, and the fans applaud. Yota covers, TWO!

Yota stays focused and he brings Yuya back up. Yota reels Yuya in and suplexes, but Yuya fights free! Yota KNEES low, tries again, but Yuya wrenches out! Yuya winds up but Yota BODY BLOWS, KNEE LIFTS, and- NO, Yuya slips around to have the arm! ARMBREAKER DDT, then he traps the arm to TWEAK it! Yota goes to a corner, runs back in, but Yuya arm-drags him! Another SNAP LOCK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Yuya catches his breath and stands up. The fans rally as Yuya brings Yota up, reels him in, and hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yuya has the DOUBLE WRISTLOCK!

The fans rally as Yota endures and Yuya puts on the pressure. Yota fights around, kicks his way over, but Yuya cranks the double wristlock! Yota still reaches out and has the ROPEBREAK! Yuya lets go to then bring Yota back up. Yuya waistlocks, then goes to full nelson. Yota fights that while reaching out. Yuya brings Yota back, but Yota breaks the nelson and ELBOWS Yuya! Yuya CHOPS, swings, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But Yuya avoids the stomp to CHOP! Yuya takes a swing, but Yota catches Yuya to a FLATLINER and deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up, Yota aims from a corner, and Yuya goes to the other.

Yuya rises, Yota runs in, and GENE TRIGGER! Yota suplexes to put Yuya up top, and he CHOPS! Yota shouts, the fans fire up, and Yota climbs up to join Yuya! The fans rally more as Yota has Yuya on the very top! SUPER SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! Yuya survives and the fans fire up again! Both men stir, the fans rally up, and Yota sits up first. Yota brings Yuya around, but Yuya fires a forearm! Yota isn’t fazed, so Yuya fires another! Yota gets in Yuya’s face so Yuya fires another forearm! That one Yota felt, but he smiles! Yota then winds up to CHOP! Yuya drops to his knees and the fans fire up! Yota scuffs Yuya, eggs him on, and Yuya grits his teeth.

Yuya stands, winds up, and he CHOPS! Yota ROCKS Yuya, Yuya CHOPS back, repeat! The fans rally as the forearms and CHOPS pick up the pace! They go faster and faster, but Yuya slows down! Yota winds up to CHOP again! Yuya drops to his knees again and the fans fire up! Yota eggs Yuya on, Yuya roars and DOUBLE CHOPS! DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya keeps giving DOUBLE CHOPS until Yota kneels! The fans fire up, Yuya stands Yota up, but Yota KNEES him! Yota runs, but into a LARIAT! Yota’s right back up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up as Yuya hurries up the corner!

Yuya reaches the top, and he CROSSBODY FLOPS as Yota dodges! Yota goes to the corner, waits on Yuya, and then GENE- ARM-DRAG!! Yuya has the cording hold, then swings Yota for the other! Yota fights the Deadbolt! Yuya and Yota fight for control, and Yota fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Yuya lets the arms go, but he HEADBUTTS in return! Yota rebounds, GENE- ELBOW from Yuya!! And then the cording holds! But Yota pops Yuya up for a KNEE! Yota swings, but Yuya gets around! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yota survives, but Yuya still holds on! Yuya drags Yota up, and he full nelsons! DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!

Yota survives again and the fans are thunderous! Yuya puts Yota in the drop zone, goes up top, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!?!? Yota survives and the fans fire up as Yuya climbs back up! Yota stands, for the CROSSBODY- GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Yuya survives but Yota roars! Yota reloads in the corner, GENE- RANA!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Yota escapes, and GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!

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

The sun turned up the heat, but the moon turned the tide! And in the end, Yuya is the one looking up at the lights seeing stars. Will he be able to course correct in the next round?

As for Yota, he grabs a mic to tell Yuya, “Wait a minute.” Yuya does stop his exit, and Yota says, “You can’t run from me.” Even if his vision was blurred and couldn’t see 20 meters ahead, he and Yuya would end up standing in front of each other. So Yota’s ready to take Yuya on again, no matter how many times Yuya wants. The fans applaud that, and Yuya takes his leave. Yota continues to say that this G1 is very different from last year, and is the new G1 of this “new era.” So who better to win it all than Yota Tsuji? The fans applaud that, too! Yota makes sure everyone in both blocks are listening closely! Yota WILL take this G1!

Mic drop from Yota and the fans cheer. But will this still become the GENE1? Or will “the moon” be eclipsed by another?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Evil: 2-1, 4 points
Yota Tsuji: 2-1, 4 points
Taichi: 2-1, 4 points
Boltin Oleg: 2-1, 4 points
Ryohei Oiwa: 2-1, 4 points
David Finlay: 1-2, 2 points
Callum: 1-2, 2 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 1-2, 2 points
Yuya Uemura: 1-2, 2 points
Sanada: 1-2, 2 points

My Thoughts:

A great third round for A Block, and even some good stuff in the tune-up matches. Jakob Austin Young got to look good even in losing to Konosuke & Rocky, and Young Lion Katsuya Murashima got to look great even in losing to TMDK. Oleg getting a win over Tanahashi was really cool, and it shows Tanahashi sees Oleg’s potential. Evil VS Sanada was a lot of fun with how they both had House of Torture antics. Sanada winning was good, though, no undefeated names in the A Block. And while Yuya VS Yota was really good and Yota gets a great win to close the show, Taichi VS Finlay felt like the real match of the night. But either way, great win for Taichi, especially as the fans are supporting him.

My Score: 9/10