Will The Ace be crushed by The Grip?

The G1 Climax hits the halfway point, and Hiroshi Tanahashi is in tonight’s main event against Ryohei Oiwa! Will President Ace make the mighty kneel?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current 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

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Boltin Oleg VS Yota Tsuji!

The NEVER Openweight Champion and the Gene Blast are at the front of this pack, but only one can step forward to lead. Will Oleg put A Block behind BARS? Or will this still be the GENE1?

The bell rings and the two run up! Yota BOOTS, then he dodges, but Oleg stops the rana! Oleg then swings Yota up, but Yota fires hands! Yota is free, he BODY BLOWS, then runs again. But Oleg turns the tilt-o-whirl into a BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Oleg storms around. Oleg stomps Yota, then gut wrenches him! Yota fights with elbows, then goes to scoop, but Oleg is a hefty man! Yota fires forearms, then scoops! But Oleg slips free and gut wrenches! Shake, Shake, Shake, and THROW! The fans fire up and Oleg covers, TWO! Yota is tougher than that but the fans rally up behind Oleg. Oleg grabs a leg but Yota kicks free.

Yota stands, goes to a corner, and runs back in, but into a scoop and SLAM! Oleg then grabs the legs to turn Yota over, BOSTON CRAB! Yota endures as Oleg sits deep! Yota powers up, fights his way over, and has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Oleg lets go, and then Oleg stomps Yota. Oleg stomps Yota some more, then brings him up. But Yota fires a forearm! And another! And another! Oleg ROCKS Yota right back! Yota goes to a corner, Oleg storms up, and Oleg whips corner to corner. Oleg runs in but Yota BOOTS him away. Oleg comes back, blocks a boot, but not the STOMP! Yota then goes up the corner, and FLYING RANAS!

The fans fire up as Oleg tumbles out of the ring. Yota builds speed and he DIVES! Oleg hits railing, and tips over! The fans fire up even more while Oleg is down in No Man’s Land! Yota takes a lap as the fans cheer him on, then he comes back to fetch Oleg. Yota drags Oleg up and over, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud again. Yota goes to the apron, but Oleg BODY BLOWS first! Oleg suplexes but Yota fights the lift! Yota tries to suplex but Oleg fights it! Oleg suplexes, Yota fights it again, and Yota lands in the ring to suplex Oleg! The fans fire up and Yota covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Oleg stays in this, but Yota smiles as he rises up.

Yota aims from a corner, runs in at Oleg, and STINGER- NO! Oleg catches Yota! Oleg pops Yota around to POWERSLAM, then he goes up, up, and VADER BOMBS onto knees! Yota saves himself and gets moving, but Oleg DROPKICKS!? The fans fire up while both men are down! Yota goes to one corner, Oleg to the other, and both men stand. Oleg runs to SPLASH Yota! Then he POWERSLAMS, and goes up, up, and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer, and Oleg rolls with Yota to deadlift him into the fireman’s carry! But Yota grabs the ropes! Oleg lets him down, and Yota CHOPS! Oleg comes back, but Yota puts him in the corner! GENE TRIGGER!

The fans fire up as Oleg goes down in a heap! Yota goes to the corner, the fans rally up, and Yota waits. Oleg rises, Yota goes up, up, and MARLOWE- NO, Oleg catches Yota again! And fireman’s carries! But Yota slips around to an Electric Chair?! Oleg pops Yota up again for a waistlock! Yota fights but Oleg still GERMAN SUPLEXES! The fans fire up, and then GENE BLASTER OUTTA NOWHERE! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Yota and Oleg rise, the fans rally up, and they start throwing forearms! Yota ROCKS Oleg, Oleg ROCKS Yota, and repeat! Then Oleg CHOPS! Yota SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS! And HEADBUTTS!

Oleg and Yota both wobble and the fans fire up! Yota roars, runs, but into a POP-UP KAMIKAZE?!? Cover, TWO!?! The fans are thunderous and Oleg is shocked! Yota survives but Oleg just grits his teeth and brings him back up. Fireman’s carry and- NO, Yota slips free, backslide, roll through! KNEE! Oleg roars, so Yota KNEES, and KNEES again!! Yota goes to the corner, takes aim, and the fans are thunderous as Oleg rises! GENE- SNAP BELLY2BELLY!? But Yota is right up! But Oleg LARIATS!! Cover, TWO!!! Yota survives and the fans are electric! Oleg roars, and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Then he fireman’s carries, but Yota grabs ropes again!

Oleg YANKS Yota free, but then goes up!? The fans all go, “EH!?” Oleg goes to the second rope with Yota, and SUPER PRESS- NO, Yota manages to RANA at the last second! And now Yota fireman’s carries?! But Oleg hits a crucifix takedown! TWO!! GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!

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

It was a clash of titans, and in the end, the Gene Blast breaks BARS! Will “the moon” of NJPW continue to shine until he’s on top? Will Oleg get up and NEVER stop fighting?

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

Both men have fallen to 1-3 and are desperate to gain ground. Will The Prince of Pace speed things up again? Or will NJPW still need The Rebel?

Finlay poses on the corner, and Callum DROPKICKS Finlay down! Well, talk about a fast start! The ref has the bell ring so this is on record as Callum HAMMERS away on Finlay! Callum then runs to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! The fans rally up while Callum rains down forearms! Finlay sputters, Gedo protests, but Callum goes to a corner. Callum climbs, Gedo distracts him, and Finlay BLASTS Callum off the corner! The fans are torn as Callum hits the railing and falls into the front row! Finlay hurries out to stomp away on Callum for that sneak attack! Finlay BOWLS Callum into chairs, but it isn’t quite a strike.

Finlay hauls Callum up to BOWL Callum into more chairs, and he picks up the spare! Finlay CLAWS Callum’s face, CHOKES him against a chair, but the ref counts. Finlay stops, and he intimidates the small children nearby. Finlay then stands Callum up to HEADBUTT him! Callum staggers away, Finlay CLUBS him on the back, and they go through the crowd. The fans are torn but Finlay TOSSES Callum over the railing! Finlay soaks up cheers and jeers but the ref reprimands. Finlay drags Callum up, puts him in the ring, then covers, TWO! Finlay bends Callum’s fingers and JAMS Callum’s hand into the mat!

Callum goes to a corner, Finlay steps on him, but the ref counts. Finlay “apologizes” as he backs off, and then he drags Callum up again. Finlay whips Callum hard into the buckles! Callum falls to the mat and Finlay stomps him. Finlay brings Callum up, whips him corner to corner, and Callum flips into the buckles! The fans are torn but Finlay talks trash on Callum. Finlay stands on Callum’s chest and digs his heel in! The ref counts, Finlay steps off and he soaks up more cheers and jeers. Finlay stands Callum up but Callum fires forearms! Callum’s back bothers him, and that lets Finlay ELBOW him down, then SENTON on top! Cover, TWO!

Callum toughs it out but Finlay goes to a corner. The fans bark with Finlay and he runs corner to corner, UPPERCUT! Finlay reels Callum in and suplexes for BROKEN ARROW! Callum tumbles right out of the ring, and Finlay soaks up cheers and jeers again. The ring count climbs, Callum sputters but stands at 9 of 20. Callum rolls in but Finlay drops KNEES at the ropes! Finlay drags Callum up, Callum slips free, and he dodges, only for Finlay to ELBOW him down again! SENTON FLOPS as Callum dodges! Finlay hurries over, stands Callum up again, but Callum fires forearms! And fires more and more and more forearms!

Callum whips, Finlay reverses, but Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS him down! The fans fire up while Finlay flounders away. Callum goes corner to corner and BOOTS Finlay again! Then he snapmares and runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Finlay goes to ropes while Callum stretches out his back. Callum goes to Finlay, CHOPS him, and whips him, only for Finlay to reverse. But then Callum dodges Finlay and Finlay falls out of the ring! Callum hurries and he PLANCHAS! Down goes Finlay and the fans fire up again! The ring count climbs, Callum drags Finlay up and into the ring and the fans cheer.

Callum fires up, climbs the corner, and aims for the DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Finlay sputters and writhes while Callum crawls his way back. Cover, TWO! Finlay survives and Callum grows frustrated. Gedo coaches Finlay but Callum stands first. Callum brings Finlay scuffs him, reels him in, but Finlay fights the lift! Finlay RAMS Callum into the corner! The ref counts, Finlay and Callum scrap, and Callum fires knees! Callum KNEES Finlay in the face, but Finlay ducks the roundhouse! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Finlay crawls over, hauls Callum up, CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, TWO!

Callum survives but Finlay grins as he has the advantage. Finlay claims this is easy work, and he stomps Callum around. Finlay hauls Callum up to suplex but Callum knees free! Callum kicks, Finlay blocks, but Callum ENZIGIRIS! Then SUPERKICKS! Then LARIATS! The fans fire up and Callum drags Finlay up. Callum hooks the leg, but Finlay slips free of Firebolt to gator roll and suplex, INTO OBLIVION! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives and the fans fire up again! Finlay is frustrated but he drags Callum up, to BUCKLE BOMB! Finlay keeps going, POWER- RANA from Callum! Cover, CALLUM WINS!!

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

Finlay is freaking out! He’s lost again, and is now 1-4! Is the top dog going to be stuck at the bottom of the block? As for Callum, can he make an epic comeback in the G1’s second half?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Taichi VS SANADA!

The Holy Emperor is 2-2, but he might not even care about the G1 Climax if he can get revenge on the Cold-Blooded Snake. Will Taichi be able to keep his emotions in check? Or will Sanada steal another thing from Taichi?

Taichi turns the tables on Sanada by attacking first! The fans fire up as Taichi stomps and CLUBS away in the corner! The bell rings, Taichi steps off and takes off his jacket. Sanada sputters, Taichi storms back over to him, and drags him up. But Sanada CLAWS Taichi’s eyes! The ref counts, Sanada says Taichi started it, then he whips. But Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans cheer while Sanada bails out. Sanada takes his time walking around the outside while Taichi tells him to get in the ring. The ring count starts while Sanada stalls, so Taichi storms out after him! Sanada kicks low and whips Taichi into railing!

Sanada brings Taichi through the gate and into the crowd! Fans hurry to move aside and Sanada SMACKS Taichi off the chairs! Sanada grabs someone’s plastic bottle to SMACK Taichi with it! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Sanada drags Taichi up with a headlock. Sanada brings Taichi around, and SMACKS him off more chairs! The fans boo as Sanada takes another drink, and SMACKS Taichi with it! Water splatters, the ref reprimands, but Sanada drags him up again with another headlock. Sanada brings Taichi around, and uh oh, he’s approaching commentary! Milano Collection AT gets outta there, so Sanada APRON BACK SUPLEXES!

The fans do laugh at how Sanada has Milano very paranoid right now. Sanada rolls into the ring while the ref checks Taichi. Taichi is able to continue so the ring count begins. Sanada is patient as we reach 5 of 20. Taichi rises at 8, then stands at 10 to roll into the ring. The fans cheer, Taichi goes to the corner, but Sanada stomps him down! The ref counts, Sanada steps off, but then he drags Taichi up. Sanada ROCKS Taichi, ROCKS him again, but Taichi just glares at Sanada. Sanada fires more hands but Taichi eggs him on! The fans cheer, and Sanada fires more shots. Taichi shakes his head so Sanada keeps going!

Taichi RIDGE HANDS, CHOPS, and KICKS! But Sanada DROPKICKS a leg out! Taichi hobbles away to a corner but Sanada runs in, only for Taichi to dodge! GAMANGIRI! Sanada slumps down and Taichi leans on the ropes while the fans rally up. Taichi paces and he eggs Sanada on. Sanada sits up, ducks the buzzsaw, but Taichi avoids the low dropkick to BUZZSAW after all! The fans fire up as Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! Taichi aims, but YOSHINOBU KANEMARU is here! He trips Taichi up and the fans boo. The ref reprimands the Heel Master, but he just grabs Taichi again! Sanada KICKS the ropes to get Taichi down low!

The fans boo as Taichi tumbles to the floor, but Sanada drags him up. Sanada brings Taichi around the way, into No Man’s Land, and over to commentary! Milano is on guard so Sanada stops. Taichi CHOPS Sanada! Sanada sits in Milano’s seat and Taichi fires off CHOPS! But Kanemaru runs up! Taichi CHOPS him, too! Then he has Milano help THROW Kanemaru into Sanada! The fans cheer for Taichi & Milano and they secret handshake! Friendship ended with Sanada, now Taichi is Milano’s friend. Resurrecting memes aside, the fans are thunderous for Milano and Taichi as Taichi drags Sanada up and back to ringside.

Taichi puts Sanada in, and the fans rally up. Taichi winds up the arm, but Sanada dropkicks the legs! Then he DROPKICKS Taichi to the ropes! But Taichi BOOTS in return! And BLINDSIDE AX BOMBERS, to the GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi rises and powers up again. The fans rally, but Kanemaru gets on the apron! Taichi hits him with an AX BOMBER! Then AX BOMBER for Sanada! Cover, TWO! Sanada survives, Taichi roars, and the fans fire up again. Taichi aims from a corner as Sanada rises, TENSHO- NO, Sanada deflects the kick, waistlocks, but Taichi bucks the O’Conner!

Taichi runs up but Sandda slips around, dragon sleeper! Taichi flails, claws at Sanada, but he’s fading! The ref checks, Sanada drops Taichi, and he goes right up top to ROUNDING- NO, Taichi dodges, Sanada lands out, and Taichi runs up! TENSHO- NO, Sanada deflects the kick and reels Taichi in for DEAD- NO, Taichi slips out and Alabama Lifts! But Sanada fights that, underhooks, and TIGER DRIVERS! But Taichi’s right up! Taichi dodges Sanada to DANGEROUS SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives and the fans fire up again! Taichi roars as he rises and the fans are with him as he brings Sanada around.

Taichi Alabama Lifts, but Sanada grabs at the ref! The fans boo, Sanada pushes the ref down to then pop-up and LOW- NO! Taichi blocks the low blow to LOW BLOW Sanada! Then GEDO CLUTCH! KANEMARU YANKS THE REF OUT! The fans boo again but the damage is done! Taichi glares at Kanemaru, but Sanada LOW BLOWS! Then SHINING WIZARDS! Kanemaru slides the guitar into the ring and Sanada picks it up! The fans boo, but then Masatora Yasuda snatches the guitar away! The fans cheer as Yasuda then DROPKICKS Sanada! Kanemaru storms in but Yasuda dodges and DROPKICKS him down!

The fans fire up as Yasuda helps Taichi, but Kanemaru THROWS Yasuda into railing! Taichi looks to the guitar, and he picks it up! The fans cheer but Sanada wants mercy? Taichi actually considers it? Milano says do it! Taichi winds up, but Kanemaru spins him around! WHISKEY MIST! And then Sanada JAMS Taichi with the guitar! Kanemaru CLOBBERS Taichi with the bottle! The fans boo but Sanada waits on Taichi to get up. Taichi rises slowly, into the SMASH HIT!! Sanada kicks the evidence away, Kanemaru shoves the ref in, and the ref counts the cover! Sanada wins!

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

The fans boo but there’s nothing anyone can do! The fix was in from the start! And then Kanemaru CLOBBERS Yasuda with the whiskey bottle just because he can! Will nothing stop them from stealing this tournament? Or can the Holy Emperor still make the most of this second chance?

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

The Heat Storm overcame the Prince of Pace while the King of Darkness cheated the Holy Emperor. But will Yuya be ready for any trick the House of Torture tries? Or will there be no denying that Everything is Evil?

Well of course Evil attacks during Yuya’s introductions! The fans boo, the bell rings, but Evil CLUBS Yuya! Evil TOSSES Yuya out, then goes after him to peel away the jacket. Evil SMACKS Yuya with it, then whips Yuya hard into railing! The fans rally for Yuya but Evil talks trash as he whips again. Yuya reverses, Evil reverses back, and Fale scoops to SLAM Yuya on the floor! The fans boo but the House of Torture gets away with that because Dick was distracting Red Shoes! Evil taunts Yuya, kicks at him, then drags him up to put in the ring. Evil kicks at Yuya more, then brings him up to put through the ropes.

Evil traps Yuya’s arms in the ropes and bends Yuya back! Red Shoes counts, Evil lets go at 4, and Yuya sputters in the ropes. Evil brings Yuya around, tells the fans to shut up, and then he wrenches Yuya’s arm. Evil whips Yuya corner to corner, into bare buckles! The fans boo as clearly Dick Togo got away with that one! Yuya writhes from tasting the Bullet Club Special and Red Shoes reprimands the House. Evil laughs, but then tells the fans to shut up as they rally for Yuya. Evil stands Yuya up, whips, but Yuya falls from the pain in his back! Evil taunts Yuya, stands on him, then drags him to a cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Yuya hangs tough.

Evil is annoyed and he scuffs Yuya. Evil steps on Yuya, talks trash, then scuffs him some more. Evil stands Yuya up but Yuya CHOPS! Evil CHOPS, runs, but fakes out the dropkick! Yuya crashes down, and Evil turns him over for a HALF CRAB! The fans rally, Yuya endures, and he fights for the ropes, only for Evil to pull him back! Yuya powers up, hops his way forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Evil holds on. Red Shoes counts, Evil lets go at 4, and he again tells the fans to shut up. Evil stands on Yuya’s back, taunts him, then brings Yuya up. Yuya fires forearms! Evil is annoyed again, and he CHOPS!

Yuya roars to fire a flurry of forearms, then he whips. Evil reverses, but Yuya FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yuya pushes himself up and he goes to the ropes. Yuya runs at Evil to ELBOW him down! Then arm-drag him! Then DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Yuya while Evil go to the corner. Yuya runs corner to corner to CHOP! The fans fire up again and Yuya reels Evil in. Evil fights the back suplex with elbows, but Yuya keeps him from running away! Yuya reels him back in for a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up, Yuya floats to a cover, TWO! DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Yuya pushes on the arm but Evil scrambles around!

Dick steps to the apron, and he has a towel? Red Shoes asks if Dick is going to throw it in, but this lets Evil tap unseen!! The fans boo, Yuya thinks he’s won, and then Yuya sees Dick! Dick hurries away, and Evil TOSSES Yuya out! The fans boo as now Evil distracts Red Shoes, and Fale RAMS Yuya into railing! Fale SMACKS Yuya off the apron, pushes him into the ring, and Evil storms over. Evil stomps Yuya, Red Shoes doesn’t like how this looks, but Evil drags Yuya up. Evil winds up and LARIATS! Yuya drops to a knee but the fans fire up! Yuya rises, Evil LARIATS again! Now Yuya drops to both knees, but the fans still fire up behind him!

Evil taunts Yuya, Yuya rises up, and Evil runs the ropes, but Yuya RANAS! Then ARMBAR! Evil clasps hands fast and hurries around! Yuya turns to have a DISARMER! The fans fire up while Evil endures again! Evil kicks and flails but Fale distracts Red Shoes! DICK SMACKS YUYA WITH A CHAIR! The fans boo again but Dick just soaks up the heat. Yuya roars and runs up on Dick, but is sent into Red Shoes! Red Shoes falls, Dick THROWS Yuya down, and Fale joins in! They double whip Yuya to a corner, Dick runs in and ELBOWS! Fale runs in and SPLASHES! The fans boo but now the House sets Yuya up in the corner!

Dick climbs, and leaps for the DICK CHOP! The fans boo again but Evil calls to Red Shoes. Dick puts Red Shoes in, Evil covers Yuya, TWO!! Yuya survives and the fans fire up! Evil is frustrated but Red Shoes is just as upset! Evil vows to finish this, and he drags Yuya up. Spin and EVERYTHING- NO, Yuya fights the STO! Then he slips around to full nelson! Evil swings an elbow but Yuya ducks that to cording hold! Then he swings Evil to have the other cording hold! DEADBOLT SUPLEX! Yuya couldn’t hold on so Evil goes flying! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yuya grits his teeth and clutches his back but he stands up first.

The fans rally as Yuya brings Evil up. Yuya scoops to SLAM! Yuya roars and the fans fire up as he climbs the corner. But then he SUPER CROSSBODIES onto Fale!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya takes down Don Fale! Then he kicks and whips Dick hard into the railing! The fans fire up again as Yuya goes back up the corner! Evil stands, but he dodges the crossbody! And then fireman’s carry for DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Yuya survives and the fans fire up again! Evil is furious but he drags Yuya back up. Evil then runs, to LARIAT!! Yuya is turned inside-out, and then Evil turns him over, SCORPION DEATHLOCK!!

The fans rally as hard as they can as Yuya endures! Yuya reaches out but Evil sits deep on the hold! Yuya powers up and he crawls his way forward! But Evil puts on even more pressure! Red Shoes checks on Yuya, but Yuya makes one more effort! Yuya reaches out, and he has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Evil holds on! Red Shoes counts, Evil lets go, and Evil shoves Red Shoes down! Dick gets back in, they set Yuya up, but Yuya BOOTS Dick away! Yuya has the arms, but his back won’t let him lift! Evil FISHERMAN BUSTERS! The fans fire up as both men rise, and Yuya fires up! But Evil kicks low! Evil whips Yuya into the bare buckles!

But Yuya roars! Yuya runs up, slips around, and has the cording holds! But Evil pulls hair to stop the lift! Yuya HEADBUTTS Evil, then powers up! DEADBOLT SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, YUYA WINS!!

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

The fans cheer as this time, justice prevails! And now, Evil is no longer at the front of the pack but in the thick of it! Will he see that not Everything is Evil? Is the Heat Storm getting hot at just the right moment?

G1 Climax 35 A Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Ryohei Oiwa!

The Ace is in back to back main events, and is coming off the big win over David Finlay. Meanwhile, The Grip is coming off a loss to Yota Tsuji and is looking for redemption. Will Oiwa get his biggest win ever? Or will President Tanahashi once again close out the night?

As usual, the fans cheer as Tanahashi takes off the jacket to show off the abs. The bell rings and the fans rally already. Red Shoes assesses the dueling and it seems pretty even, only slightly favoring Tanahashi. The two tie up, Oiwa headlocks, but Tanahashi wrenches the hold open. Oiwa powers it back on tighter, but Tanahashi fights again. Tanahashi hammerlocks, headlocks, but Oiwa slips out to hammerlock then headlock. Tanahashi endures, pries the hold open again, and he has a top wristlock. Oiwa fights against that, the fans rally more, and Tanahashi arm-drags Oiwa! Oiwa headscissors, Tanahashi kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff.

Tanahashi and Oiwa reset, circle, and the dueling chants continue. Tanahashi calls for a Test of Strength and Oiwa obliges. They knuckle lock, then go shoulder to shoulder! Oiwa puts pressure on the knuckles and powers Tanahashi down to his knees! Tanahashi fights his way back up, then kicks and headlocks for the takeover! Oiwa headscissors, Tanahashi kips free again, and the two have another standoff! The fans cheer, the two reset, and they tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. They’re in a deadlock, but Oiwa finds a point of leverage. Oiwa puts Tanahashi in the corner, Red Shoes counts, and Oiwa lets off. But Tanahashi catches Oiwa’s cheap shot kick!

Tanahashi CLUBS the leg, whips Oiwa corner to corner, but Oiwa reverses. Oiwa runs in but Tanahashi ELBOWS him away. Tanahashi goes up and CROSSBODIES! The fans cheer and Tanahashi plays a little air guitar. Tanahashi storms up on Oiwa, stomps away on Oiwa’s legs, then wraps the leg around ropes! Red Shoes counts, Tanahashi lets go, but then he DROPKICKS the leg! The fans applaud while Oiwa sits down in the corner. Tanahashi drags Oiwa to center, drops an ELBOW on the leg, then pulls on the toehold. Oiwa endures, tries to fight back with a chinlock, but Tanahashi shoves him down to put on the INDIAN DEATHLOCK!

The fans rally while Oiwa endures and keeps his shoulders up. Oiwa fires a forearm, Tanahashi puts on the pressure, and Oiwa reaches for the ropes! Oiwa backstrokes his way to the ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go while the fans applaud. Tanahashi stands Oiwa up but Oiwa CHOPS! Tanahashi eggs him on so Oiwa fires forearms! Tanahashi kicks the bad leg! Tanahashi runs, but Oiwa DROPKICKS him down! Oiwa kips up and the fans cheer more. Oiwa arm-drags Tanahashi down for the armlock! Tanahashi fights up but Oiwa grinds the shoulder. The fans rally as Tanahashi endures and stands back up.

Oiwa wrenches, wrenches, and wrenches! Oiwa UPPERCUTS the arm, then clamps on with a mounted armlock! Tanahashi endures, the fans rally, and Tanahashi stands. Oiwa UPPERCUTS the arm, CLUBS the arm, and repeat! Oiwa then top wristlocks to wrangle Tanahashi, and he STOMPS the arm! The fans cheer while Tanahashi writhes. Oiwa brings Tanahashi back up but the fans cheer on “GO ACE!” Oiwa scoops and SLAMS, then SENTON FLOPS as Tanahashi moves! The fans rally again while both men slowly rise. Oiwa runs up, Tanahashi blocks a kick, and he DRAGON SCREWS! The fans applaud as Tanahashi rises again.

Tanahashi brings Oiwa up, fires fast hands, then whips him to ropes. Oiwa reverses but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he brings Oiwa up. Tanahashi scoops to SLAM Oiwa into the drop zone! Tanahashi then hops up the corner, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Oiwa is tougher than that but the fans rally with Tanahashi more. Tanahashi waits on Oiwa to rise, then he runs the ropes to SLING- NO, Oiwa TOSSES Tanahashi over the top rope! But Tanahashi skins the cat! The fans fire up and Tanahashi slips around Oiwa to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi roars, the fans cheer, and he runs again!

Oiwa stands, SLINGBLADE takes him down! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi hurries to the corner, fires up, and the fans cheer as he rises to the top. Oiwa stands and he trips Tanahashi up! Oiwa CHOPS Tanahashi, then ROCKET LAUNCHES Tanahashi off the top! The fans rally up while Tanahashi sputters on the mat. Oiwa brings him up and has the armlock! Tanahashi whips Oiwa away, but Oiwa CLOBBERS him! Oiwa scoops to SLAM, then SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi is tougher than that and the fans cheer. Oiwa nods and he clamps onto Tanahashi’s arm. Tanahashi fights up but Oiwa whips him, just to YANK the arm!

Tanahashi drops to the mat but Oiwa isolates the bad arm to SPLASH DOWN! The fans rally with “GO ACE!” but Oiwa brings Tanahashi up again. Oiwa clinches, but Tanahashi fights the Tenzan Plex with elbows! Then he DRAGON PALMS! Tanahashi full nelsons, but Oiwa breaks it! But Tanahashi STRAITJACKET GERMAN SUPLEXES instead! Bridging cover, TWO! Oiwa escapes but Tanahashi drags him up. Tanahashi whips, Oiwa reverses, but Tanahashi SLINGBLADES! Tanahashi goes up the corner, Oiwa rises, HIGH FLY ATTACK FLOPS! Oiwa has the ARC CLUTCH!! Tanahashi endures the top wristlock stretch and the fans rally even harder!

Tanahashi crawls with his one free arm but Oiwa turns him away from the ropes! Tanahashi just fights to the other side then! The fans rally and Oiwa puts on the pressure, but Tanahashi slips out the back! Tanahashi trips Oiwa, then body scissors for a JAPANESE LEG ROLL! TWO, and into a REAR NAKED CHOKE! Oiwa has learned well from Zack Sabre Jr. but Tanahashi still endures! Tanahashi fights up, but Oiwa spins him for the TENZAN PLEX! The fans fire up as Oiwa surprises Tanahashi with that one! And then Oiwa goes up!? The fans fire up for Oiwa now as he aims, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!!

Tanahashi survives, but Oiwa gut wrenches for the DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives again, the fans are thunderous, and Oiwa clamps on the SLEEPER! Oiwa drags Tanahashi to his feet, spins him, and THE- SNAP CRADLE!! TWO!! Oiwa escapes, Tanahashi runs up, and then Tanahashi dodges, but THE GRIP finds him!! Cover, OIWA WINS!!

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

It was fast and furious at the end, and in the blink of an eye, Oiwa finishes it! The Ace’s Final Road is certainly taking some twists and turns, will he get back on course for the finals?

Oiwa hurries to get the mic so he can address Tanahashi before he goes. “This was our first singles match together. I loved it! I had so much fun, this made me glad I became a pro-wrestler.” The fans cheer that! Oiwa adds, “Are you really finished in six months’ time? Is that for real? If you want to wrestle Oiwa again, if you thought for a second this was a match worth having, I’ll gladly wrestler you again any number of times.” The fans applaud that, and Tanahashi sits up to look at Oiwa better. The fans cheer Oiwa, and Oiwa continues by thanking Nagoya for their support. “Everyone’s support has become my power.”

Oiwa vows to do his best in this ring to help the fans let out all their stress and frustrations, and he is happy to do so. The fans applaud, and Oiwa vows to keep getting stronger, so that when he comes back to Nagoya, “you will know that it was Ryohei Oiwa who got a grip on the G1!” The fans cheer the mic drop! Will this mighty young star soon be THE star of NJPW?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Yota Tsuji: 4-1, 8 points
Boltin Oleg: 3-2, 6 points
Ryohei Oiwa: 3-2, 6 points
Yuya Uemura: 3-2, 6 points
Evil: 3-2, 6 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 2-3, 4 points
Callum: 2-3, 4 points
Sanada: 2-3, 4 points
Taichi: 2-3, 4 points
David Finlay: 1-4, 2 points

My Thoughts:

A great round for the A Block, and with quite a few shockers. Oleg VS Yota was an awesome match with both guys showing that they can move for being so big and muscular. Yota winning out makes sense, he’s a level above given he was a New Japan Cup winner and a former IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. Finlay losing at this point and ending up last place is a big shocker, but that was a great match and a great win for Callum. The House of Torture naturally cheats in both their matches, but something about Sanada winning and Evil losing is rather fitting. I wonder if there is a change in the power dynamic of who actually leads The House going towards WrestleKingdom…

Yuya winning over Evil was also a great showing of some in-ring psychology and story telling with Yuya overcoming those overwhelming odds. With this year being a six person playoff, the top seeds getting first round byes, I could see Yuya getting in as the A2 or A3 seed. Tanahashi VS Oiwa was a great main event, and Oiwa winning so suddenly was a great finish. Oiwa is also in the running for one of those playoff spots but there are still four rounds to go so we’ll wait and see. I did appreciate him questioning Tanahashi’s decision to retire with WK20 if he can still go like this. I’m pretty sure Tanahashi will be a man of his word and follow through, but it is still surreal to think there’s actually less than six months left on his in-ring career.

My Score: 9/10