Whose luck changes in Round 4?

The G1 Climax is in Tokyo, and Hiroshi Tanahashi is in the main event! But will David Finlay run him right off his Final Road?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• YOSHI-HASHI VS Shoma Kato VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Khan & Jakob win.
• El Phantasmo & Jado VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Hartley Jackson; ELP & Jado win.
• Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Ren & Kanemaru win.
• Shingo Takagi & Daiki Nagai VS Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero; Konosuke & Rocky win.
• G1 Climax 35 A Block: Boltin Oleg VS SANADA; Oleg wins.
• G1 Climax 35 A Block: Yuya Uemura VS Callum Newman; Yuya wins.
• G1 Climax 35 A Block: Taichi VS EVIL; Evil wins.
• G1 Climax 35 A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Ryohei Oiwa; Yota wins.
• G1 Climax 35 A Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS David Finlay; Tanahashi wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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

Gabe Kidd addresses the crowd.

Again, The Mad Man makes his way out to the ring. The good news is, he doesn’t need crutches. But the bad news is, as much as Gabe was hoping to power through and make a run at the G1, the doctors told him there is no way he can be cleared in time. He now has no choice but to withdraw from the G1, and he knows it sucks. It has been just as much a mental battle these past few days, especially after finding out this news from the doctors. But the real positive note is that he has received hundreds of notes and comments from you the fans who want him to rest and come back stronger. He can only promise us one thing: When he is back fighting on this mat, it will be the best version of Gabe Kidd you’ve ever seen.

Chris Charlton translates to Japanese, and the fans applaud Gabe’s commitment. Gabe finishes by thanking everyone for being here and wishes everyone luck tonight. Then if not now for the summer, when and where will we see this War Dog once again be #WarReady?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Boltin Oleg VS SANADA!

The NEVER Openweight Champion is on a roll after overcoming The Ace, and the Cold-Blooded Snake was able to get one over on The King of Darkness. But can Boltin put Sanada behind BARS? Or will another in-ring crime be committed?

Sanada attacks during Oleg’s introduction! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Sanada headlocks Oleg to also CLAW his eyes! Then he SCRAPES Oleg’s face off ropes! The bell rings and the fans rally up. Sanada fires hands, whips Oleg to ropes, but Oleg reverses. Sanada BOOTS Oleg, Oleg stays up, so Sanada BOOTS again! Oleg rebounds, deflects the next boot and comes back to CLOBBER Sanada! The fans cheer but Sanada bails out. Oleg pursues, brings Sanada up, and he fireman’s carries, only for Sanada to slip free! Sanada CLAWS Oleg’s eyes, whips, but Oleg reverses! Sanada stops from hitting railing, Oleg runs in, but Sanada drop toeholds him into the railing!

Oleg writhes and the ref checks on him, but Sanada opens the gate. Sanada drags Oleg up and brings him into the crowd! The Young Lions usher fans aside and Sanada SMACKS Oleg off an open chair. Sanada drags Oleg up, headlocks, and brings him around, but Oleg fights back! Oleg CHOPS and the fans fire up! Sanada ROCKS Oleg in return! Sanada brings Oleg around with the headlock again, and fans rally as they return to ringside. Sanada whips and Oleg hits more railing! Oleg goes down in a heap but the fans continue to rally. The ref reprimands, Sanada rolls into the ring, and the count begins.

The fans rally while Oleg slowly rises. The count still reaches 10 of 20, but Oleg rolls in at 11! Only for Sanada to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Oleg toughs it out but Sanada clamps on again. Oleg fires body shots, then forearms! Sanada wobbles but he dropkicks Oleg’s legs! Sanada brings Oleg up, whips, but Oleg reverses, only for Sanada to dropkick the legs out again! The fans rally as Oleg sits back up, but Sanada reels him in. Oleg fights the suplex, then suplexes Sanada! The fans cheer, but Sanada kicks and flails. Cradle- NO, Oleg stops the counter to suplex high and hard! The fans cheer as Oleg goes to the corner.

Oleg aims as Sanada rises, and Oleg CLOBBERS Sanada! Oleg scoops and SLAMS, then runs side to side to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Sanada toughs it out now but the fans rally behind Oleg. Oleg brings Sanada up with the gut wrench! Oleg gives Sanada a Shake, Shake, Shake and THROW! Oleg kips up and the fans fire up! Oleg brings Sanada up again and fireman’s carries! KAMI- NO, Sanada slips free! Oleg runs back in but Sanada DUMPS him out! Oleg ROCKS Sanada in return! Oleg steps in but Sanada KICKS the ropes! The fans boo as Oleg gets hit between the bars! Sanada soaks up that heat, then sees Oleg slump to the floor.

Sanada aims and PLANCHAS! But Oleg catches him! And powers through to a suplex! Sanada fights that off, and manages to hoist Oleg up! MAGIC SCREW to the floor! The ref checks on Oleg and he’s able to continue. Sanada brings Oleg up, puts him in the ring, then takes his time stepping back in. Sanada drags Oleg up, suplexes and MAGIC SCREWS again! Sanada sits Oleg up, and clamps on with the dragon sleeper! SKULL END! Oleg endures, the fans rally, but Sanada drops down for the body scissors! Oleg endures more and the fans rally harder! Sanada puts on the squeeze, but Oleg pops his head free! ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer while Sanada lets go in frustration. Sanada clamps on with the SKULL END again, but Oleg rolls through! And he gut wrenches Sanada up! Sanada slips free, shoves Oleg to a corner, then runs in, but Oleg dodges! Sanada goes up, out, and springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Oleg just rebounds to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Sanada survives and Oleg grows frustrated but the fans rally up again. Oleg drags Sanada up, fireman’s carries, and swings, but Sanada slips free! Sanada waistlocks, Oleg switches, but Sanada grabs at the ref! Oleg avoids the low blow mule kick! Oleg CHOPS Sanada and the fans cheer!

Oleg whips Sanada to a corner, runs in, but Sanada BOOTS him away! Sanada goes up to QUEBRADA, but Oleg catches him again! And pops him around to the fireman’s carry! And the F5!! The fans fire up and Oleg roars! Oleg brings Sanada up, fireman’s carries, and KAMI- NO, Sanada slips free again, clinches, DEAD- NO, Oleg slips around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Sanada lands out, BLINDSIDE SHINING WIZARD! Oleg flounders but Sanada reloads, SHINING- NO, Oleg fireman’s carries through! KAMIKAZE!! Cover, Oleg wins!

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

Sanada tried to get the advantage early, but even that wasn’t enough to break the BARS! Will the Cold-Blooded Snake just have to try harder and stealing a win? Will Oleg continue to show that he NEVER gives in?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Yuya Uemura VS Callum Newman!

The Heat Storm and Prince of Pace are both down after losing last round, but that just means they can rise back up! Will Yuya light that fire inside? Or will Callum kick it into high gear?

There’s a bit of trash talk, then the two back up. The bell rings, they both rush in, but Yuya dodges the boot to DOUBLE CHOP! Callum falls but he kips right up to kick and whip. Yuya reverses, Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and keeps going, to BOOT Yuya down! The fans fire up and Callum swaggers around a bit before he goes after Yuya in the corner. Callum CHOPS Yuya, Yuya falls against the ropes, but Callum ELBOWS him on the head. The ref reprimands but Callum brings Yuya up. Callum ROCKS Yuya, whips him, but Yuya reverses to WRING the arm and SLAM it on the mat! Callum goes to the corner while the fans applaud.

Yuya is on Callum now, and he UPPERCUTS the bad arm! Callum grabs the ropes to block the whip, so Yuya CHOPS! Yuya wrenches, YANKS, and wristlocks the arm, to then wrench through again. Callum endures as Yuya twists the wrist, and then Yuya wrangles Callum to drop a leg on the arm! Callum endures again as Yuya has the short arm scissor. Yuya pushes up for more pressure but Callum still endures. The fans rally, Yuya keeps on the arm scissor, but Callum fights around. Callum turns Yuya over and he makes the ROPEBREAK! Yuya lets go and the fans applaud. Yuya eggs Callum on while Callum rests on the apron.

Callum shakes out the bad arm, but Yuya drags him up to push on the shoulder and elbow. Yuya CLUBS the arm, grinds it more, but Callum fires body shots. Callum ROCKS Yuya, KICKS him, and the fans applaud. Callum runs but Yuya dodges the boot to arm-drag! Yuya has the armlock again and pushes it to a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Callum endures, kicks around, and reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Yuya lets go, and the fans applaud again. Callum still clutches the bad arm while the fans rally up. Yuya storms over to Callum and CHOPS him to the corner! And CHOPS him in the corner!

Callum gives a short headbutt, and he even SPITS at Yuya! So Yuya CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Yuya wrenches the arm to ELBOW BREAKER! Yuya whips but Callum reverses, then Callum runs up to DROPKICK! Yuya staggers, Callum snapmares him, then Callum runs to PENALTY KICK! Yuya rolls to his feet but Callum KICKS him back down! The fans rally again and Callum works on the bad arm. Callum rams the shoulder into the buckles, perhaps feeling it came loose. Callum runs up on Yuya but Yuya ducks! Callum tumbles to the corner and Yuya runs in, only for Callum to BOOT him away!

Callum aims, Yuya ducks the superkick and he ducks the roundhouse! Callum blocks Yuya’s chop, a bit double-edged, but then Callum ROUNDHOUSES Yuya down after all! The fans fire up while the ref checks Yuya. Yuya is still able to continue and the fans rally up. Callum shakes out the bad arm, drags Yuya up by his hair, and Callum calls his shot! Callum springboards, but Yuya blocks the cutter! Yuya then brings Callum up, back suplex! Callum lands out, ducks the chop, and springboards, but into an armbar!! Callum flails around while Yuya has that bad arm fully extended! Callum endures, fights around, but Yuya switches to the other arm!

The fans rally as Callum powers through, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Yuya lets go and the fans rally again. Yuya goes to the far side, eggs Callum on, and then runs in, only for Callum to put him on the apron! ROUNDHOUSE! Yuya flops to the floor and the fans fire up! Yuya rises up and Callum builds speed, ESCALARA DOUBLE STOMPS!! The fans fire up as Callum takes Yuya down! The ref checks both men and they’re both able to continue, so a ring count starts. Callum rises at 3 of 20, but he hobbles his way over to Yuya. Callum drags Yuya up at 9 of 20 to put him in at 10. The fans applaud and Callum fires up!

Callum climbs and takes aim again, DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Direct hit and Callum covers, TWO!! Yuya survives and the fans fire up! Callum snarls and he drags Yuya back up. Callum SPIN KICKS and down goes Yuya! Cover, TWO! Yuya survives again and the fans continue to rally. Callum grows frustrated but fires back up. Callum aims from a corner, waits on Yuya to stand up, and then runs in, but into a DROPKICK! Yuya hurries and grabs Callum’s arm! Cording hold, but Callum slips around! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuya tumbles, but he comes back to ENZIGIRI! Callum staggers into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men stand, run up, BUSAIKU KNEE from Callum!!

The fans fire up as Callum hurries to underhook, PRINCE’S- NO, Yuya clamps onto the bad arm! The fans fire up as the two fight for control! Callum reaches for ropes but Yuya pulls that arm in! Yuya rolls Callum before the DEADBOLT SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Yuya wins!

Winner: Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Callum earns 0)

Callum tried to tough it out, but Yuya’s game plan was too perfect! Will Callum be stuck at the back of the block going into the G1’s halfway point? Or can he regain some of that momentum? And for Yuya, he is now 2-2, can he look to get back to a winning record?

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

The Holy Emperor shook the Sendai Sunplaza with his win over The Rebel, and the King of Darkness was shocked by Sanada! But with the top spot in the block at stake, who will be the Ota City General here tonight?

The House doesn’t even wait for Evil, they go after Taichi in the dark! The fans boo as Dick Togo even beats up on Yatsuda Masatora, one of the Young Lions! Taichi gets back in the ring but Evil BODY BLOWS him! The fans boo as Evil CLUBS Taichi at the ropes, then the bell rings. Evil whips, Taichi BOOTS him down! Evil bails out and the fans fire up! Taichi finally takes off his jacket and the fans cheer more. Wait, Dick has already taken the blue buckle pad away! And Evil continues to torture Masatora! Taichi storms out there but Evil kicks him and whips him into railing! Evil then takes the buckle pad and SMACKS Taichi with it!

The fans boo but Evil soaks up the heat. Evil rolls into the ring and let’s the ring count handle Taichi. The fans rally as Taichi slowly rises. Taichi stands at 4 of 20, rolls in at 5, but Evil is right on him! Evil wrenches and whips Taichi into the bare buckles! The Bullet Club Special does its job and the ref reprimands. Evil tells the ref to forget that, and he covers Taichi. TWO, and Evil covers again. TWO, and Evil covers deep! TWO, and the fans cheer! Evil taunts Taichi, then tells Taichi’s fans to shut up. Evil kicks Taichi but Taichi glares at him defiantly. Evil CHOPS, but Taichi doesn’t budge! Evil CHOPS again, but Taichi just steps to Evil!

Evil winds up, but he CLAWS Taichi’s eyes! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Evil stops so he can CHOP Taichi down! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but the House is annoyed. Evil talks more trash, then he drags Taichi up, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS, CHOPS, and KICKS! Evil KNEES low, whips Taichi to a neutral corner, but Taichi BOOTS him away! Evil runs back in but Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up while Taichi rests on the mat. Taichi fires back up and the fans fire up with him. Taichi stands, goes to Evil, but Evil blocks the kick! Evil CLAWS Taichi’s eyes! The ref counts, but Taichi CLAWS Evil’s eyes!

The fans cheer, and Taichi ENZIGIRIS! Dick gets on the apron but Taichi DECKS him! The fans cheer again, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims from the corner, Evil rises up, but Fale grabs Taichi’s foot! The fans boo but Evil LARIATS Taichi! Then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Taichi toughs it out and the fans applaud. Evil drags Taichi up, fireman’s carries, but Taichi fights with RIDGE HANDS! And then Kawada Kicks! Evil staggers, Taichi winds up, AX- NO, Evil swats the bomber! But Taichi URAKENS! AX- NO, Evil catches him for EVERY- NO, Taichi fights through to waistlock, DANGER- NO, Evil fights the saido!

Evil grabs the ref, making it harder for Taichi to lift, but the ref SLAPS Evil! Taichi then winds up, POINT-BLANK AX BOMBER! The fans fire up and Taichi powers up! Taichi brings Evil up to wrench and DANGEROUS SAIDO! Bridging cover, TWO! Evil survives but the fans rally behind Taichi again! Taichi winds up and the fans fire up again. Taichi runs, but Evil uses the ref as a shield! Down goes Marty Asami! Dick Togo uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Taichi! The fans boo, but Masatora goes after Dick! Dick TOSSES Masatora, goes back for Taichi, but Masatora is back! DROPKICK! But here comes Fale!

Masatora fires forearms on Fale, but Fale LARIATS him down! The fans boo but Fale drags Taichi up! GRE- NO, Taichi catches the Grenade, and goes for Fale’s waistband! Fale is big, but Taichi still gets him tipping over! SUMO THROW!! The fans are thunderous but Evil has a chair! Taichi runs up to AX BOMBER Evil off the apron! The fans are thunderous again and the ref is back up. The ref checks Taichi and starts a count on Evil. Evil is down at 5 of 20, and then 10! Evil stirs and Dick is worried. The count is 13! 14! 15! Evil might be out cold! 17! Fale drags Evil up at 18 and THROWS him in at 19!

The fans boo but Taichi is right on Evil! Taichi drags Evil up, deadweight or not, and runs to AX BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!?! Evil still lives but Taichi won’t show mercy! Taichi shouts, “ICHIBAN!” Taichi runs, but Evil dodges! Evil gets in the ref’s face and Fale SMACKS Taichi with the chair!! Evil whips Taichi into the bare buckles! Evil runs to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Taichi survives and Evil is beside himself! The fans rally even harder for Taichi but Evil is up first. Evil vows to end this, and he drags Taichi up. EVERY- NO, Taichi fights with elbows! Evil KNEES low, whips Taichi into bare buckles, but Taichi roars!

TENSHO- NO Evil blocks the kick and spins Taichi around! Evil whips, Taichi reverses, and Evil hits bare buckles! Evil falls back, Taichi has the LAST SUPPER! Cover, TWO!! YOKOZUNA ELBOW!! Taichi roars and the fans are with him! Taichi Alabama Lifts, BLACK- NO, Evil fights free to hit REVERSE EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, EVIL WINS!!

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

It took every trick in the book, and even then, Taichi almost had him! But just as Everything is Evil, Evil is Everything! Will nothing stop the King of Darkness from becoming the King of G1? Will Taichi still find a way to beat him to it?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Yota Tsuji VS Ryohei Oiwa!

The Gene Blast shined in the spotlight of last round’s main event, but The Mullet had a mighty win in the opener. These two are also fighting for a spot right at the front, will Yota keep things tranquilo? Or will Oiwa still get a Grip?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two step up. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Oiwa headlocks, Yota powers up but can’t power out as Oiwa holds tight. The fans applaud, and Yota fights up to his feet. Yota pries the hold open and wrenches Oiwa to a top wristlock. Oiwa bridges and then powers back up to have the headlock back! The fans applaud again, and Yota powers Oiwa to the ropes. Yota slips free to headlock Oiwa, but Oiwa powers up and out. Oiwa drops down then DROPKICKS! Yota is right up but Oiwa headlocks for the takeover. The fans applaud the exchange while Oiwa grinds Yota down.

Yota endures, rolls things to a cover, ONE! Oiwa holds on but Yota fights up. Yota fires body shots, then lifts Oiwa, but Oiwa hits a flying takeover! Oiwa grinds Yota down, Yota fights back up, and Yota fires heavy body shots! Yota then pries the headlock open again, and he again goes for the top wristlock. Oiwa resists so Yota sweeps the legs! Yota then drops a leg on the arm! The fans applaud while Oiwa goes to a corner. Yota storms over and wraps the bad arm around ropes! Red Shoes counts, Yota stops, and he RAMS into Oiwa. Yota snapmares Oiwa, steps over, and rolls Oiwa to trap the one arm and twist the other, into the SACRIFICE!

Oiwa writhes and clutches the elbow but the fans rally up. Yota drags Oiwa up, wrenches the arm, but Oiwa fires forearms! Yota wrenches again and gives SOLE FOOD to the arm! Oiwa goes to a corner, Yota runs in, but Oiwa dodges! Oiwa comes back but Yota puts him on the apron! Yota blocks a shot to ROCK Oiwa, then he HOTSHOTS the arm! Yota sits Oiwa down, runs, but Oiwa avoids the baseball slide dropkick! Oiwa headlocks, but Yota back suplexes! Oiwa lands out and he has the headlock again. Yota fires body shots, powers out, but Oiwa reverses! Yota is sent hard into the railing! Fans cheer while Oiwa rolls into the ring.

The ring count begins, and Yota sits up at 3 of 20. Yota takes a moment to check his back, then he rises up at 11. The fans cheer as Yota rolls in at 13. Oiwa runs up and RUNS Yota over! Then he scoops to SLAM and SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that but Oiwa stays cool. Oiwa brings Yota up but Yota fights the Tenzan Plex with elbows. Oiwa takes a swing, but into the BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER, and then Yota changes up the combination! He hooks the arm for a SNAP LOCK! Oiwa writhes but Yota brings him up. Yota hammerlocks the arm and RAMS it into the buckles! Yota then runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH!

Yota shoves Oiwa out, goes up, up, MARLOWE- NO, Oiwa catches Yota for the TENZAN PLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa shakes out the bad arm while he and Yota go to corners. Oiwa runs in and CANNONBALLS! Then STANDING SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yota toughs it out but Oiwa stays focused. The fans rally, Oiwa drags Yota up, and Oiwa suplexes Yota up onto the top rope. Oiwa CHOPS Yota, climbs up, and he fires up! The fans fire up with Oiwa, and Oiwa gut wrenches! Yota flails to fight the lift! Yota CLUBS Oiwa, CLUBS him some more, then pulls on the bad arm! Yota then slips around to SUNSET FLIP RUNNING POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!

Oiwa survives and the fans fire up! Yota stays calm while he rises back up. Yota waits on Oiwa to rise up, then he runs, to LARIAT! But Oiwa stays up! The fans fire up and Oiwa shakes his head. Yota LARIATS again, but Oiwa stays on his feet! Oiwa stares Yota down, so Yota wrenches and WRINGS the arm! Yota takes a swing, but Oiwa spins him for a DDT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Oiwa rises up. Oiwa brings Yota around, but Yota SUPERKICKS! Oiwa ROLLING ELBOWS! And Oiwa avoids the headbutt to STOMP Yota down! But Yota grins?! Yota stands, ducks the lariat to FLATLINER! Yota fires up, runs, but Oiwa avoids the stomp!

Oiwa trips Yota, and Oiwa STOMPS Yota down again! The fans fire up with Oiwa, and he brings Yota around to gut wrench! DOCTOR- NO, Yota fights the bomb and he ROCKS Oiwa with an elbow! Then STOMPS him! And STOMPS again! Yota roars, the fans fire up, and Yota suplexes, ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO! But Yota holds onto the bad arm! Yota bends the fingers, and SNAPS ’em! Like a villain! Yota then KICKS Oiwa to a corner, runs in, and GENE TRIGGER! Then up, up, and MARLOWE CRUSH! The fans fire up and Yota aims from the corner! Oiwa rises, Yota runs in, but into a LARIAT!! The fans fire up but that was double-edged given the bad arm!

The fans duel, “YO-TA! YO-TA!” “OI-WA! OI-WA!” Oiwa rises first, he drags Yota up for a waistlock, but Yota fights the suplex! They go around, Oiwa keeps Yota from the ropes and hits the GERMAN SUPLEX! And then another GERMAN SUPLEX! And then a third- NO, Yota fights it, they go to ta corner, O’Conner and CHAOS- NO, Yota turns that to a victory roll, TWO! Oiwa and Yota stand, Oiwa swings but Yota gets around, SNAP GERMAN! Oiwa roars to his feet, but the GENE BLASTER takes him down! Cover, TWO!! Yota is shocked but the fans fire up again! Yota goes to a corner and reloads while Oiwa rises up.

Yota runs back in, but Oiwa SPEARS first!! Cover, ONE?!?! LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives, but Oiwa hurries to DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!? Yota survives again and the fans are thunderous! Oiwa roars and he gets moving, THE- NO, Yota ducks The Grip, waistlocks, but Oiwa switches! O’Conner Roll, CHAOS THEORY!! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Yota survives but Oiwa holds onto the waistlock! Oiwa drags Yota back up, and he spins Yota for- NO, Yota ducks the Grip, for a REVERSE GORY ESPECIAL! REVERSE BACKSLIDE!? YOTA WINS!!

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

Oiwa can’t believe it, but Yota busted out something so slick, no wonder he got caught! Surely these two will meet again, but will either of them be the G1 Climax Champion when they do?

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

The tournament might still be in the early rounds, but to think these two are in the back half of the block. Will President Ace get his Final Road back on track? Or will NJPW see that we all need The Rebel?

As always, the fans cheer when Tanahashi takes off the jacket to show off the abs. The bell rings and the fans rally up for Tanahashi. Finlay does have some supporters, and the two circle. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Tanahashi kicks to wrench. Finlay pulls hair but Tanahashi powers through to hammerlock. Finlay switches that onto Tanahashi, dares him to go for ropes, but Tanahashi drop toeholds instead. Tanahashi waistlocks, Finlay moves around and slips free. The fans applaud but then Finlay lounges on the ropes. Tanahashi air guitars as he shrugs that off, and they circle again. The fans rally for Tanahashi but Finlay bails out.

Tanahashi air guitars while the fans cheer, showing he is unbothered by Finlay’s delay tactics. Finlay returns, they tie up, and Tanahashi headlocks. Finlay rolls, covers, ONE, and Tanahashi holds on. Finlay pulls hair, but then so does Tanahashi! Finlay headlocks, hits the takeover, but Tanahashi headscissors. Finlay kips free, runs up, but Tanahashi gets around to pull hair! Red Shoes reprimands, so Tanahashi headlocks for the takeover. Finlay headscissors, Tanahashi kips free, and both complain to Red Shoes, but he says they were both pulling hair! Tanahashi tells Finlay not to pull his hair, but Finlay tells Tanahashi not to pull his hair!

The fans applaud as Tanahashi and Finlay agree to a clean fight. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Tanahashi’s height becomes his leverage. Tanahashi puts Finlay in a corner, Finlay turns things around, and Red Shoes calls the break. The two promise a clean fight, and Finlay pats Tanahashi on the shoulders. The fans applaud, but then Finlay stomps away! So much for clean fight! Finlay flips the fans off and then whips corner to corner. Finlay runs up but Tanahashi ELBOWS him away! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! And then he DROPKICKS the legs out! Tanahashi air guitars even harder and the fans cheer again.

Tanahashi brings Finlay up and he fires the fast hands and UPPERCUT! Tanahashi runs, but Finlay dropkicks the legs out! Finlay rains down fists, then storms around before he grabs a leg. Finlay stomps Tanahashi’s leg again and again, them mocks the air guitar. Finlay then drags Tanahashi to the ropes, and he HIP DROPS the leg! The fans are torn but Finlay cheers himself on plenty. Finlay grabs Tanahashi’s arm, twists the wrist and bends the fingers, to then JAM the hand against the mat! The fans rally while Tanahashi clutches that hand. Finlay drags Tanahashi up, snapmares him and runs to basement UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally but Finlay clamps on with a chinlock. Finlay grinds Tanahashi down and almost has a bully choke on Tanahashi. Tanahashi endures, Finlay smothers him, but Red Shoes reprimands. Finlay stops, but he pulls Tanahashi back. Tanahashi fights up, fires body shots, but Finlay throat chops! The fans are torn, Finlay barks it up, and Finlay runs corner to corner to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi staggers and Finlay facelocks, but Tanahashi snap suplexes Finlay into buckles! Finlay writhes and holds his leg while the fans fire up. Tanahashi fires himself up and he waits on Finlay to stand. Tanahashi fires a flurry of forearms!

Tanahashi whips, Finlay reverses, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up with Tanahashi more, and he shouts, “I show my power!” He scoops and SLAMS Finlay into the drop zone! Tanahashi goes up and SUNSET SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Finlay stays in this but he coughs and sputters while hanging out of the ring. The fans rally for Tanahashi and he runs the ropes, but Finlay follows! Finlay ELBOWS Tanahashi at the ropes, whips him to ropes, then dodges the slingblade to hit a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up while both men are down! Finlay storms his way over, stomps Tanahashi to the outside, then goes out after him.

Finlay brings Tanahashi up, fireman’s carries, and he runs all the way to POST Tanahashi! Tanahashi falls in a heap and Finlay soaks up the cheers and jeers. Finlay claims he’s The GOAT now! Finlay pushes the way through the gate while explaining GOAT is “Greatest Of All Time.” Finlay reels Tanahashi in, mocks the air guitar, then lifts Tanahashi to run and- NO, Tanahashi RANAS Finlay into the post! Finlay falls in a heap and the fans fire up! The ring count starts while both men are down. They’re both down past 5 of 20, then past 10! Tanahashi grits his teeth and sits up, but he uses the railing to stand at 15, only to flop back over!

Finlay isn’t doing much better, and both men stagger around! They LEAP in at 19! The fans fire up as both men are still in this. Gedo shouts for Finlay to wake up already! Finlay and Tanahashi crawl to each other, and they throw forearms! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, and both men fire up! They stand to fire forearms again and again and again, faster and faster and faster! The fans fire up as this is a brawl! Tanahashi UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS, and roars to UPPERCUT- NO, Finlay hooks him to backslide, roll through, and lift! CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and the fans fire up!

Finlay is frustrated but he vows to end this now! The fans rally as Finlay brings Tanahashi up, suplexes, but Tanahashi fights it! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi holds on to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT again! Then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT again!! The fans fire up for the hattrick and Tanahashi runs, SLINGBLADE! Finlay staggers back up, Tanahashi runs again, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives the onslaught but Tanahashi hurries to the corner! The fans fire up, Gedo shouts at Finlay to move, but Tanahashi still hits the HIGH FLY ATTACK! A hard hit but Tanahashi isn’t done! Tanahashi goes back up, HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, TWO!!

Finlay survives again and Tanahashi is shocked! The fans are thunderous, Gedo is furious, but Finlay is still down! Tanahashi goes back up, aims again, HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees! Double-edged for Finlay but it’s all he could do to turn things around! The fans rally with “GO ACE!” while Gedo shouts at Finlay. Tanahashi rises up with help from the ropes and from the fans, and he runs in at the corner! SPLASH caught and Finlay pops Tanahashi up, INTO OBLIVION! And then INTO OBLIVION AGAIN!! Cover, TWO!!! Tanahashi survives, Gedo asks WTF, but Red Shoes defends his count! Finlay is frustrated but the fans are thunderous again!

Finlay drags Tanahashi up, lifts, but Tanahashi sunset flips through the bomb! TWO!! Finlay escapes, runs up, ROLLING ELBOW! ROLLING- DRAGON PALM! DRAGON PALM! Tanahashi roars but Finlay HEADBUTTS him down! Finlay staggers, but he comes back for Tanahashi. Finlay roars as he suplexes, OVER- CRADLE!! TANAHASHI WINS!!

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

Finlay is shocked and the fans are electric as Tanahashi snatches victory from the jaws of this War Dog! Finlay throws a bit of a tantrum, but will he simply have to be that much meaner and that much faster in the next round?

As for Tanahashi, he grabs the mic to say, “NJPW has returned to Ota City!” The fans cheer that! Tanahashi then remembers they’ll be here tomorrow night, too, so please come back again. The fans applaud, and Tanahashi continues with reminding us that this will be his last G1 Climax. “I stand in this ring with full determination!” The fans applaud again, and Tanahashi says, “I want to tell everyone how great NJPW is, and how cool I am!” The fans applaud that and cheer him on. Tanahashi thanks them for that, and vows that as long as the chants keep coming, he won’t stop. Please continue to enjoy the G1, and thank you!

The fans cheer, and Tanahashi again teases if he’s staying or going. And so he is staying! The fans cheer more, and Tanahashi picks the mic up again to ask, “Is everyone still good on time? Then let’s do it.” Tanahashi sets the mic down and a Young Lion fetches the air guitar! He tosses it to Tanahashi and it is high up there! The fans anticipate it, and Tanahashi catches it! The fans cheer and Tanahashi thanks Shoma Kato. Now, for the air guitar concert! The fans rock out with Tanahashi, and they want the encore! Tanahashi says okay, here goes! The encore air guitaring begins, and Tanahashi throws the air guitar to the crowd!

The fans still want more? Tanahashi says he just gave up the guitar, but naturally someone has another! They throw it to Tanahashi, and he says this is the last encore! Tanahashi rocks out again, and he does his jumping finale! The fans cheer and Tanahashi “smashes” the guitar! Tanahashi takes the mic back and says, “Thank you. It’s been awhile since I’ve done the full set! But it’s okay, I’ve never been tired a day in my life! I will keep running full throttle to win this G1! And finally, Ota City… AISHITEMAAAAASU~!” The fans cheer, but will Tanahashi make his last G1 the best G1 we’ve ever seen?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Evil: 3-1, 6 points
Yota Tsuji: 3-1, 6 points
Boltin Oleg: 3-1, 6 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 2-2, 4 points
Ryohei Oiwa: 2-2, 4 points
Taichi: 2-2, 4 points
Yuya Uemura: 2-2, 4 points
David Finlay: 1-3, 2 points
Callum: 1-3, 2 points
Sanada: 1-3, 2 points

My Thoughts:

A great round for the G1, even with the sad news that Gabe Kidd is not making it back in time. As he said himself, it is a shame he doesn’t get even one more great match in the block with guys like Shingo Takagi and Shota Umino. At the same time, they probably would’ve said if it bad enough that he’d have to give up the Global Heavyweight Championship, so I think he will be fine for the rest of the year. With that, really looking forward to Gabe finishing out the year, maybe even setting up something big for WrestleKingdom 20.

A Block is shaping up rather nicely with three at the front and three at the back. Great win for Oleg against Sanada, he’s perhaps the surprise for the top three. Taichi had a great showing but he was of course cheated by Evil, and then Yota had a very good match with Oiwa to come out on top. Good stuff with Yuya and Callum, too, very good ring psychology from Yuya with working the arm. Tanahashi VS Finlay was naturally main event material, and Tanahashi getting the quick win rather than something “definitive” was good to keep Finlay strong, even as Finlay is 1-3. As I had been saying going into this, this is Tanahashi’s last G1, he really needs to make a run at the finals.

Honestly, they could even have Tanahashi win the G1, and with his final match being WrestleKingdom 20, his retirement match could also be his last chance at the world title. Though in that scenario, I don’t see Tanahashi winning the title, but he’ll definitely give Zack Sabre Jr. (or whoever is champion by that time) a run for his money.

My Score: 9/10