Will the Roughneck #JustTapOut?

The G1 Climax rolls on, and once again, Shota Umino battles Zack Sabre Jr! Will Shota’s Second Chapter take down the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS SANADA & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Oleg & Yano win.
• Yuya Uemura & Shoma Kato VS Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young; Callum & Jakob win.
• Taichi & Masatora Yasuda VS EVIL & Dick Togo; Evil & Dick win.
• Yota Tsuji & Daiki Nagai VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Oiwa & Hartley win.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS David Finlay & Gedo; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
• G1 Climax 35 B Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Hashi wins.
• G1 Climax 35 B Block: El Phantasmo VS Ren Narita; Ren wins.
• G1 Climax 35 B Block: Great-O-Khan VS Konosuke Takeshita; Konosuke wins.
• G1 Climax 35 B Block: Shota Umino VS Zack Sabre Jr; Shota wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the 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

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

Gabe Kidd sadly must withdraw again.

The knee still is not 100%, so in good faith, NJPW cannot clear him to compete, and as Gabe said before that if he can’t give his all, he isn’t going to rob the fans of a proper match. He forfeits another match, meaning Shingo Takagi gains two points for free. Can Gabe’s leg heal up in time for round four?

G1 Climax 35 B Block: YOSHI-HASHI VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!

The two men who lead the pack at 2-0 now collide! Will the Headhunter always #GetBackUp, no matter what is thrown at him? Or will 44 Caliber be number one with a bullet?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two stare down. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Drilla’s height gives him enough leverage. Drilla has Hashi on the ropes, the ref counts the break, and Drilla lets off slowly. But then Hashi dodges the chop to CHOP! The fans applaud, but Drilla CHOPS right back! Hashi’s known for those heavy hands but Drilla has hands to match. Hashi CHOPS again, so Drilla CHOPS again! Hashi CHOPS, Drilla CHOPS, and repeat! The fans fire up as Drilla roars, and he CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Hashi spins to DOUBLE CHOP! The fans fire up as Drilla falls down! Hashi storms over and brings Drilla back up.

Hashi CLUBS Drilla’s arm, follows him to a corner, and CLUBS the arm again. Hashi brings Drilla around to wrench and whip, but Drilla reverses! Hashi hits buckles hard and falls to the mat. Drilla shakes out his arm while the fans rally up. Drilla stomps Hashi around, covers, TWO! Drilla drags Hashi up, reels him in, and he hits a BACKBREAKER! Hashi writhes, but Drilla brings him up to snapmare and KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Hashi toughs it out. Drilla drags Hashi back up, but Hashi fires body shots! Hashi fires a forearm, then another, but Drilla CHOPS Hashi off his feet!

Drilla drags Hashi up, whips him to a corner hard, and Hashi falls again. Hashi rolls to the apron but Drilla brings him back in. Drilla HEADBUTTS Hashi, has him in the corner, but Hashi blocks the whip. Drilla CHOPS Hashi down for it ! The fans rally up, Drilla whips Hashi corner to corner, but Hashi reverses. Drilla bounces off buckles and Hashi dropkicks the legs out! The fans applaud, and then they rally up while both men are down. Drilla shakes out his leg while Hashi goes to a corner. Hashi runs up and he RUNS Drilla over! And ELBOWS him! Hashi scoops, Drilla slips free, but Hashi dodges to BLOCKBUSTER!

The fans fire up with Hashi while Drilla flounders. Hashi runs in at the corner to ELBOW Drilla, then whips to ROCK, CHOP, and kick for a DDT! Cover, TWO! Drilla is still in this and the fans applaud. Hashi drags Drilla up, brings him in and suplexes, but Drilla slips free again. Drilla ripcords to CHOP! Hashi goes to a corner, Drilla whips him, but Hashi reverses. Hashi runs in, Drilla pops him up and has him on the shoulder! Hashi slips free, waistlocks, but Drilla switches. Hashi switches, but Drilla RAMS him into a corner. Drilla is free and he runs back in, but Hashi dodges! Drilla hits buckles, Hashi DRAGON SUPLEXES!

Hashi fires up, runs up, but Drilla catches him to a DRAGON SUPLEX! Both men stand and DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT again! Hashi roars, fires off fast hands and a CHOP! Hashi runs, but Drilla pops him up, SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Hashi is still in this, but they also bark as Drilla rises. Drilla puts Hashi in the drop zone, climbs up the corner, and the fans rally up. Drilla goes to the very top, for a MACHO ELBOW! The fans fire up with Drilla and he goes to another corner. Drilla waits on Hashi to rise and he runs in, but he has to block a superkick first!

Drilla spins Hashi to a waistlock, but Hashi fires elbows. Drilla lifts, Hashi still fights, but Drilla hits the HIGH ANGLE GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans bark and Drilla gets moving, GORE!! Cover, TWO!! Hashi survives and the fans fire up again! Drilla huffs ‘n’ puffs and the fans rally again. Drilla hoists Hashi up, but Hashi slips around to REVERSE DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! They rally behind Hashi as he rises up. Hashi roars, aims, and SUPERKICKS! Drilla falls back but Hashi hauls him up! Full nelson, pump handle, but Drilla fights with elbows. Drilla rolls and ENZIGIRIS!

Drilla runs and G- NO! Hashi stuffs the Gore to lift! But Drilla fights that to Alabama Lift! But Hashi fights that to finish the POWER- NO, Drilla fights the bomb! So Hashi lets Drilla down, to hit a DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!! Drilla survives and the fans are thunderous! Hashi fires up, runs the ropes, but Drilla BOOTS the lariat! Hashi spins to CHOP! Drilla spins to CHOP! Hashi HEADBUTTS! And SUPERKICKS! And LARIATS!! The fans are thunderous again as Hashi full nelsons, pump handles, KARMA!! Cover, HASHI WINS!!

Winner: Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Drilla earns 0)

Incredible! The Headhunter is the ONLY man at 3-0! But will he continue this pace and make this his G1 to win? Can Drilla reload and rebound in the fourth round?

G1 Climax 35 B Block: El Phantasmo w/ Jado VS Ren Narita!

The Headbanga overcame the Alpha, but the Souled Out Son of Strong Style got a taste of his own medicine from the Headhunter. Will ELP be ready for whatever tricks the House of Torture will play? Or will Ren steal another golden ticket from another champion?

But of course Ren attacks ELP & Jado from behind! The fans boo but Ren CLUBS ELP, stomps him, and tells the ref to shut up. ELP gets his fur jacket off as he stands, and Ren POSTS him! Ren drags ELP up, pushes him through the gate, and the Young Lions hurry to usher fans out of the way. Ren BOWLS ELP into the chairs! STRIKE! The fans boo but Ren tells them to shut up. Ren drags ELP up again, but ELP fires a forearm! And another forearm! And another forearm! Then a SUDDEN DEATH! Ren falls, ELP SMACKS him with a chair, and ELP goes to the ramp. The fans fire up as ELP takes aim, and ELP CROSSBODIES Ren to the floor!

The fans fire up again as ELP stands tall! The ref still wants this in the ring, this isn’t even a match yet! ELP hugs fans before he brings Ren up. ELP headlocks Ren, brings him to ringside, and CHOPS him! The fans cheer as ELP throws Ren into the ring. The bell rings, ELP runs corner to corner, and he SPLASHES Ren! Then a whip to the other corner, for a BACKDROP! The fans fire up while Ren flounders around. ELP brings Ren up, puts him back in a corner, and fires hands. The ref reprimands but ELP climbs up to rain down more fists! The fans count along and ELP goes all the way to nine, winds up, and gives it a kiss before TEN!

The fans fire up and ELP knuckle locks Ren. ELP CHOPS, then goes up, up, and jumps around, to then FLYING RANA! Ren flounders, the fans fire up again, and ELP LARIATS Ren up and out! Ren hits the floor, the fans rally up more, and ELP PLANCHAS! Down goes Ren yet again! ELP hops the railing so he can hug El Desperado on commentary. ELP kisses Despy on the head then goes back to Ren. ELP drags Ren up, puts him back in the ring, and the fans rally as ELP climbs. SWANTON BOMB, then a LIONSAULT onto knees! KNEEBAR!! ELP has the ROPEBREAK but Ren holds until the ref counts 4!

The fans boo but Ren drags ELP back to SMASH the knee! ELP clutches his leg, Ren drags him over to the corner, and he bends ELP’s leg around the post! The fans boo and the ref reprimands! ELP tries to fight back with a chinlock, but Ren lets the leg go at 4. But then he SLAMS ELP’s leg against the post! Ren huffs ‘n’ puffs as he storms back into the ring. Ren then puts ELP’s bad leg on ropes to HIP DROP! ELP grimaces, Ren covers, TWO! Ren pushes ELP down to drop an AX HANDLE! Cover, TWO! ELP toughs it out and the fans are behind him. Ren stalks ELP, scuffs him, then pie faces him. ELP CHOPS from below!

Ren grins, but ELP fires a forearm! And another forearm! And another forearm! Ren kicks the leg! ELP hobbles, Ren whips, but ELP reverses to drop down and DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ren and ELP slowly sit up, and ELP kips up! ELP LARIATS, DOUBLE CHOPS, then whips. Ren reverses but ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges, springboard CROSSBODY! LIONSAULT! Direct hit and ELP covers, TWO! Ren survives but ELP drags him up. ELP scoops to SLAM, and he goes to the corner. ELP hops up, takes aim, and FALLING AX HANDLES! The fans cheer while Ren writhes. ELP then goes to a corner, and he tunes up the band!

The fans clap along and Ren rises up. ELP aims to SUDDEN- NO, Ren dodges and hooks the leg! Roll and KNEEBAR, but ELP shifts to cover! TWO, and Ren hurries to his feet, only for ELP to roll him up! TWO, but ELP hurries to hook the arms! Ren fights the backslide, but ELP still manages it! TWO!! Ren escapes in time, but ELP mule kicks! ELP straitjackets and torture racks, but Ren fights free! Ren CLAWS ELP’s eyes, then has the SLEEPER! ELP endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! But Ren CLAWS ELP’s eyes again! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! ELP survives and the fans fire back up!

Ren bails out and grabs his pushup bar! The ref stops Ren but Ren pushes him away. Ren aims at ELP while the fans boo, but JADO snatches the pushup bar! The fans cheer, Ren grabs at Jado, and ELP runs in! Ren dodges, the DROPKICK hits Jado! Ren rolls ELP up, TWO! Ren kicks low, DOUBLE- NO, ELP handstands out! Jackknife bridge, TWO!! Ren escapes, ELP dodges, and SUDDEN DEATH!! Cover, TWO?!? Ren survives and the fans can’t believe it! ELP pounds the mat in frustration, then slaps himself to fire up. The fans are with ELP and he brings Ren up. But Ren shoves the ref away! LOW- NO, ELP blocks the low blow!

ELP straitjackets Ren and torture racks! BRAIN SALAD! ELP goes up, up, and THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, KANEMARU YANKS THE REF OUT! Not this again! The Heel Master swigs his whiskey before he stomps away on ELP! Kanemaru aims, ELP dodges the whiskey bottle! SUDDEN DEATH and the mist goes into the air! ELP dodges the pushup bar attack, too! Mule kick and Ren is disarmed! Ren apologizes, but hits a LOW BLOW!! And a DOUBLE CROSSER!! Ren grins as he goes to the corner! Ren climbs, the fans boo, but ELP stands up into the HELL’S GUILLOTINE!! Cover, Ren wins!

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

And once again, Ren has stolen another victory! Will Ren continue to take shortcuts to the top until he’s on top? Can ELP keep from giving out more golden tickets to the TV title?

G1 Climax 35 B Block: Great-O-Khan VS Konosuke Takeshita w/ Rocky Romero!

The Dominator slayed the Rampaging Dragon while the Alpha was shown up by the Headbanga. Will the United Empire conquer the Don Callis Family? Or will Konosuke bounce back and climb the ranks?

The bell rings and the fans fire up already. The dueling is even as the two circle, and they feel things out. Khan clinches, then slips around to a waistlock. Khan stops Konosuke’s standing switch so Konosuke goes for a toehold. Khan steps over to try a lateral press but Konosuke fights that. They go around, Khan low gut wrenches and throws Konosuke away. The two stand and the fans applaud. Khan and Konosuke reset, circle, and feel things out. They clinch, Khan slips around to headlock, but Konosuke endures the grind. Konosuke powers up but Khan holds on tight. Khan grinds Konosuke down, and even gives him a noogie to the forehead.

Konosuke fights up, powers out, and he BOOTS Khan! Konosuke whips, Khan reverses, and Khan dodges the Takeshita Line to SAYANAGI! Khan poses while Konosuke bails out and the fans applaud. Khan stands on Konsouke’s head, but steps off as Red Shoes reprimands. Khan kicks Konosuke out, goes after him, but Konosuke ROCKS him! Khan ROCKS Konosuke, Konosuke hits back, then Konosuke KNEES low! Konosuke whips, Khan reverses, and Konosuke hits railing hard! Khan drags Konosuke up, has fans move aside, and he scoops Konosuke to SLAM onto the railing! Konosuke falls in front of the front row!

Khan storms around the way to step on Konosuke, then drags him into the railing. Khan bends Konosuke back against the railing, but stops as Red Shoes reprimands. Khan KICKS the railing to jam Konosuke up! The fans are torn but Khan has plenty of fans in this section. Khan drags Konosuke up, has a SLEEPER, and he brings Konosuke back to ringside. Khan puts Konosuke in the ring, but Konosuke bails out! Khan pursues and he BOOTS Konosuke from behind! Konosuke falls, but Khan hauls him up to APRON URENAGE! Konosuke writhes and the fans duel while Khan rolls into the ring.

The fans rally while the count begins. Konosuke sits up at 3 of 20, rolls in at 6, but Khan is right on him with a cover! TWO, and Khan traps Konosuke’s legs! Khan reaches forward to have the chinlock! The fans rally as Konosuke endures the modified STF, only for Khan to drag him into a CAMEL CLUTCH! The fans rally more as Konosuke continues to endure! Konosuke fights forward, ROPEBREAK! Khan lets go and the fans rally up again. Khan drags Konosuke up to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chop! And then Mongolian- NO, Konosuke lbocks! Konosuke winds up, but his shoulders keep him from throwing the elbow!

Khan stands Konosuke up to UPPERCUT! Khan puts Konosuke in the corner, and then hops up, only for Konosuke to slip out and UPPERCUT! Konosuke climbs up after Khan now, mocks Khan’s wind up, but Khan YANKS him down! Konosuke hits buckles and Khan comes back, to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Konosuke is stuck! Red Shoes reprimands, but Khan pulls Konosuke’s arms back! Khan hops down, brings Konosuke around and reels him in. But Konosuke fights the suplex! The fans rally, the two fight for control, and Konosuke suplexes high and hard! Both men are down and the fans fire up!

The fans rally, Konosuke shakes out his arm as he goes to a corner. Khan stands at center, runs up on Konosuke, but Konosuke BOOTS him! And BOOTS him again! Konosuke goes up, up, and FLYING RANAS!? Konosuke then runs up, but Khan whips him away. Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges to TAKESHITA LINE! Down goes Khan and the fans fire up! Khan bails out, Konosuke builds speed, and Konosuke FLIES! Down goes Khan at the ramp and the fans fire up again! The dueling returns as both men slowly stir. Konosuke rises first, drags Khan up, and puts him in the ring. The fans cheer and Konosuke aims from a corner. Khan sits up, POWER DRIVE-

NO, Khan blocks the knee! Khan swings, Konosuke dodges, and Konosuke waistlocks to O’Conner and DREAM- NO, Khan ducks the elbow! SLEEPER, and then REVERSE STO! BLINDSIDE ELBOW! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Konosuke and Khan slowly sit up, and they find each other. Konosuke fires a forearm, Khan fires back, and repeat! The fans rally as the forearms keep going, then Khan stands. Khan puts his hands behind his back, and Konosuke fires a forearm! Khan stays up and shakes his head, so Konosuke fires another forearm! And another! Khan still shakes his head, but Konosuke puts his hands back now!

Konosuke dares Khan to take a shot, so Khan Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops! And then Mongolian Chops! Konosuke stays on his feet, and he fires boxing elbows! ROLLING- UPPERCUT from Khan! Khan runs, but Konosuke sidesteps to SNAP GERMAN! And then Konosuke runs, but into a LARIAT! The fans are thunderous while Khan leans against the ropes. Khan stands, grabs at Konosuke, but Konosuke blocks the Iron Claw! Konosuke rises, but Khan clamps on the KATAGATAME! Konosuke endures the Head ‘n’ Arm Triangle and fights to his feet. Konosuke fires elbows, then kicks, but Khan blocks! IRON CLAW SLEEPER BACKBREAKER!

Then Khan drags Konosuke up into the IRON CLAW COBRA TWIST! Konosuke endures, but Khan shifts to the Bow ‘n’ Arrow Rack! But Konosuke slips free! POWER DRIVE KNEE! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Khan survives and the fans are thunderous again! But Konosuke goes up the corner! SUPER SENTON!! Cover, TWO!! Khan survives again, but Konosuke just brings him right up! RAGING- NO, Khan fights the suplex to scoop and T T D!! Khan falls onto the cover, TWO!!! Konosuke survives and the fans are electric! Khan rises up, and the Monster Rage boils over! Khan clamps on with the IRON CLAW!

Khan hauls Konosuke up, ELIMI- NO, Konosuke slips free, hops up, POISON-RANA!! POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, TWO!?! AND IRON CLAW!! Khan rises up, squeezes Konosuke’s head, and has him down on the mat! TWO!! Konosuke manages to rise back up, but Khan puts him in the HITSUJIGOROSHI, and then hits the FLATLINER!! Roll over, IRON CLAW, and ELIMINA- ARM-DRAG?!? ALPHA ELBOW!! Konosuke throws off the elbow pads now, and ALPHA- IRON RIGHT BODY BLOW!! Konosuke sputters and coughs as he doubles over, but the fans are electric again! Khan aims, IRON- ALPHA ELBOW!!

Konosuke roars while Khan falls! Konosuke hurries to haul Khan back up, RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, KONOSUKE WINS!

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

G1 Climax 35 B Block: Shota Umino VS Zack Sabre Jr!

We’ve seen this battle before, and we’ll likely see it again in the future, but right here now is the Roughneck’s chance to make his Second Chapter the best one yet! Will he score a win over THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion? Or will he #JustTapOut?

Tensions are already high as ZSJ and Shota get face to face. ZSJ pie faces Shota, Red Shoes has him stand down, and jackets are put aside. The bell rings and the two run up! Shota dodges a boot, ZSJ dodge a lariat, and ZSJ headlocks. Shota powers up and out but ZSJ BOOTS him! Shota stays up, shouts, and then fires a forearm! Shota runs, fires another forearm, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ runs, Shota dodges, and Shota RUNS ZSJ over! And RUNS him over again! Then he fakes out ZSJ’s hurdle to dropkick the legs out! The fans fire up while ZSJ is already seething. Shota stomps ZSJ but ZSJ goes to the ropes.

Shota storms up to kick at ZSJ more, then has him in the corner. Shota grabs a leg, ZSJ has the ropes, and Red Shoes calls the break. Shota still has the toehold, ZSJ puts on a chinlock, but Red Shoes counts. Both men let go at 4, but then Shota CLUBS ZSJ’s leg. ZSJ RAMS Shota in return, but Shota kicks the bad leg. ZSJ sits down but Shota drags him to center. Shota steps over for another toehold but ZSJ fights it by hooking Shota’s arm. Shota puts on the pressure but ZSJ moves around. Shota still finds the angle to push and pull on the leg, but ZSJ eggs Shota to try and break it then! Shota certainly does try as he shifts around!

ZSJ fights against the grapevine, reaches back, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Shota lets go. Shota then stomps the leg a couple times, and drops an elbow on it! ZSJ hobbles away to a corner but Shota is right on him. Shota reels ZSJ in, but ZSJ fights the lift with a headlock. Shota has ZSJ’s leg, but ZSJ fights the shin breaker with a takeover. ZSJ sets up, but Shota UP KICKS free of the neck twist! Shota gets up, but ZSJ avoids the basement dropkick to NECK TWIST after all! Shota writhes and the fans rally up. ZSJ shakes and stretches the bad leg, then hobbles over to Shota for a KICK to the back!

The fans fire up and Shota writhes again. ZSJ walks around while Shota goes to ropes. ZSJ stand Shota up, shoves him and RAMS him, then UPPERCUTS him! Shota goes to a corner, ZSJ brings him up again for a shove, RAM, and UPPERCUT! Then another UPPERCUT! Shota stays up so ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! Shota flops to the mat and the fans rally again. ZSJ waits on Shota as he slowly rolls to the corner. ZSJ storms up, blocks a kick, and then he digs his boot into Shota. Then he switches feet to dig that boot in. ZSJ steps off, and he SPITS at Shota! Shota frowns, but ZSJ KICKS him! And KICKS him! Shota stands to fire forearms!

ZSJ RAMS low! ZSJ whips, Shota reverses, then he dropkicks the legs out! Shota reels ZSJ in, SHINBREAKER! And then a turn and NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Shota grits his teeth as he sits up, but ZSJ scoots away to a corner. Shota storms over to ZSJ, fires the fans up, and he fires forearms on ZSJ! ZSJ UPPERCUTS in return! And UPPERCUTS again, and again! Shota shoves ZSJ to CHOP and ROCK him over and over! But ZSJ SLAPS Shota in return! The fans fire up while Shota snarls. Shota winds up and DECKS ZSJ! The fans applaud as Shota looms over ZSJ in the corner.

Shota stands ZSJ up, whips him corner to corner, then runs up to UPPERCUT! Shota reels ZSJ back in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but the fans still cheer. Shota nods and rises up. Shota paces while ZSJ sits up and shakes out the bad leg. Shota stands ZSJ up for a waistlock but ZSJ pries at the arm. Shota drops to drop toehold, and then he turns ZSJ over to have a KNEEBAR! ZSJ clamps onto Shota’s arm, Shota slips free and keeps after the leg! ZSJ goes after Shota’s leg but Shota twists the ankle! ZSJ endures as he has Shota’s leg in a HEEL HOOK, but then Shota powers ZSJ over into an STF!

The fans applaud as Shota squeezes tight. ZSJ endures, reaches out, but Shota drags him away from the ropes! STF! ZSJ endures, slips out of the crossface, and he fights his way forward! The fans rally and duel as Shota then drags ZSJ back again! KNEE SMASH, and STF! ZSJ endures and the fans rally harder! ZSJ again fights free of the crossface, and now he rolls Shota over! ZSJ has an arm, wrenches, but Shota wrenches back. ZSJ wrenches to PELE the arm! Shota takes a swing, but into a wrench and WRINGER! ZSJ hobbles while Shota is down. ZSJ traps one arm for the TWIST! And then he has the other arm for the CLARKY CAT!

Shota endures as ZSJ scissors both arms! ZSJ puts on the pressure, but Shota fights around. Shota kicks his way over and has the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go while the fans applaud. ZSJ kicks Shota around, eggs him on, then brings him up. Shota fights the scoop, wrenches out, and then UPPER- NO, ZSJ goes matrix to dodge! Then ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Shota BOOTS from the corner! Shota runs up, sunset flips, but ZSJ sits down! ONE and Shota finishes the sunset, ONE! ZSJ has the prawn hold, ONE! Shota sunsets, ONE! ZSJ prawn hold, ONE! Shota sunset, ONE! ZSJ high stacks, TWO! Shota sunset flips again, TWO!

Shota avoids the Penalty Kick, arm-drags, but ZSJ headscissors and NECK TWISTS! The fans cheer and ZSJ whips Shota to ropes. Shota reverses, TORNADO DDTS, and he holds on to drag ZSJ back up! But ZSJ scoops for the ZACK DRIVER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! The fans rally while Red Shoes checks, and both men are able to continue. ZSJ rolls away to ropes to work on his bad leg. ZSJ then uses the ropes to stand back up, and he hobbles over to Shota. ZSJ brings Shota up and UPPERCUTS! Shota stays on his feet and the fans continue to rally. Shota smacks himself a few times to get that fire back!

Shota UPPERCUTS ZSJ! ZSJ goes to the ropes, nods, and he comes back to UPPERCUT! Shota goes to ropes now, and he shakes his head. Shota snarls and comes back to UPPERCUT! ZSJ wobbles and goes back to ropes. ZSJ catches his breath, comes back, and UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again, again, and again! Shota just whips ZSJ to a corner and BLINDSIDE SHINING WIZARDS! ZSJ slumps down, Shota goes corner to corner and back again, BLINDSIDE STRIKE KNEE! Shota then hauls ZSJ to the top rope, climbs up to join him, and the fans rally up. Shota brings ZSJ to the very top, for a SUPERPLEX!

Both men are down but Shota crawls to the cover, TWO! The fans cheer as ZSJ survives and Shota fires himself up again. Shota rises, ZSJ stands, and Shota runs. ZSJ ducks the lariat, but Shota DROPKICKS on the return! Shota hurries to waistlock, but ZSJ bucks the O’Conner. DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, then they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Shota goes to the ropes, but he runs back up, only for ZSJ to dodge. But then Shota dodges, LARI- NO, ZSJ swings through to have the crucifix takedown, into a TRIANGLE HOLD!! The fans are fired up again as ZSJ shifts his grip on the arm for a cording hold!

Shota endures, so ZSJ turns him over and pulls the arm back! ZSJ changes things up again, headscissors and double wristlock! Shota fights his way around, but ZSJ bends the arms! Shota still endures but he looks to be fading! Red Shoes checks, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Shota is still fighting! But ZSJ just bends the arm more! Shota kicks, reaches out, but ZSJ grabs a leg, too! But Shota gets his arms free! Shota uses those to push forward and have the ROPEBREAK! The fans are thunderous while ZSJ lets go in frustration. ZSJ wants Red Shoes to check his idiot son, but Shota is still stirring.

ZSJ paces, Shota slowly lifts his head, and Shota crawls his way towards ZSJ. ZSJ takes off his wrist tape and he slaps Shota around. Shota sits up and ZSJ KICKS him in the chest! Shota shouts at ZSJ to bring it! ZSJ KICKS again, and Shota drops to his hands and knees. But Shota has a wild grin on his face as he sits back up. ZSJ KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS but Shota just wants more and more! ZSJ KICKS, but Shota shouts, “C’MON!” ZSJ KICKS but Shota blocks! Shota stands, ZSJ SLAPS him! Shota ENZIGIRIS! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! Shota is up, but ZSJ LARIATS!! The fans are thunderous as ZSJ says he’s not done!

ZSJ hauls Shota up, scoops, but Shota slips free! HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEX! ZSJ is up, but Shota LARIATS!! ZSJ flips around in the air, and Shota stumbles to a corner! The fans are thunderous again, and Shota headbutts the buckles to fire back up! Shota aims as ZSJ rises, and Shota runs in for a BUSAIKU KNEE!! Cover, TWO?!?! ZSJ survives but Shota fires up again! Shota drags ZSJ up, hooks the leg, SECOND- NO, ZSJ fights free and scoops, SABRE DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Shota survives and the fans are electric! ZSJ brushes that off to bring Shota back up. ZSJ hooks the leg, lifts, but Shota cradle counters! TWO!!

Shota and ZSJ fight for control, ZSJ switches to O’Conner Roll and BRIDGE! TWO!! Shota escapes in time and the fans keep cheering them on! Shota runs into a TRIANGLE HOLD! But Shota bridges through to a cover! TWO!! Both men stand, ZSJ BOOTS, but Shota rebounds to LARIAT!! The fans are electric again and Shota roars! Shota drags ZSJ up, reels him in, SECOND CHAPTER!!! Cover, SHOTA WINS!!!

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

Round three closes with a battle worthy of the world title! And yet, it is the world champion who lost! Will The Front Man have to fight that much harder if he wants to repeat as G1 Climax Champion?

As for Shota, he gets the mic to say, “Zack… This doesn’t mean we should wait until the Tokyo Dome. Let’s definitely fight in a singles match again sometime soon.” The fans applaud and ZSJ takes his exit. Shota then says, “NJPW has returned to Nagaoka. Thank you very much for your passionate support until the very end.” The fans applaud again while Shota takes a bow. Shota continues by saying that his start to this year was very sluggish. But now, he can proudly say that he has defeated THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. The fans cheer that, too, and they even chant his name.

Shota says he won’t claim to come back to Nagaoka as the tournament winner or anything like that. But he will do his best to help NJPW fill the seats here in Nagaoka when they return! The fans cheer that, too! Shota promises, the red hot G1 Climax has only just begun! For NJPW is truly the best! Shota drops the mic and the fans cheer. Will Shota still come through and be the one that wins it all?

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Yoshi-Hashi: 3-0, 6 points
Drilla Moloney: 2-1, 4 points
Ren Narita: 2-1, 4 points
Konosuke Takeshita: 2-1, 4 points
Shota Umino: 2-1, 4 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 1-2, 2 points
El Phantasmo: 1-2, 2 points
Great-O-Khan: 1-2, 2 points
Shingo Takagi: 1-2, 2 points
Gabe Kidd: 0-3, 0 points

My Thoughts:

A great round for B Block, but I figured Gabe Kidd would need more time. He shouldn’t risk the bad leg and only make it worse. The tune-up matches were pretty predictable, with the Young Lions all taking the loss, except for Murashima since he was with The Ace. All the G1 matches delivered, and Hashi being the standalone 3-0 between both blocks is great stuff. Hashi definitely has the underdog love from the fans, can’t wait to see how far he goes. Ren of course cheated with help from Kanemaru, he might go back after the NJPW World TV title after the tournament.

Khan VS Konosuke was main event worthy itself, and that was a great win for Konosuke. Shota VS ZSJ going Shota’s way was a little surprising, but it does help set Shota up as a challenger for the stretch between G1 and WrestleKingdom. His promo was short and simple, and perhaps being modest and not promising to be “the guy” is a good way of keeping fans from being annoyed with his push.

My Score: 9.1/10